17 Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Interview Questions and Answers

A geriatric nurse practitioner (GNP) is a registered nurse (RN) with additional training and certification in geriatrics, which is the care of older adults. GNPs provide primary care and specialize in the health problems of older adults. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics.

If you want to become a GNP, you’ll need to pass an exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. You may also need to complete a GNP program. Once you’ve met the requirements, you can start applying for jobs.

When you go to a GNP job interview, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience working with older adults, your clinical skills, and your ability to handle the physical and emotional demands of the job. You may also be asked about your availability to work weekends and holidays. To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample GNP interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working with patients who have dementia or other cognitive impairments?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your experience working with patients who have dementia or other cognitive impairments. They want to know if you are comfortable caring for these types of patients and how you would handle them in a clinical setting. In your answer, try to highlight any specific skills or techniques that make you more effective when working with these patients.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with patients who have dementia or other cognitive impairments. I find that my ability to communicate clearly and use simple language is one of the most important things I can do to help these patients feel safe and secure. I also find that it’s helpful to keep their routines consistent as much as possible. This helps them feel more at ease and reduces stress for both the patient and myself.”

What are some of the most important skills for a geriatric nurse practitioner to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to geriatric nursing.

Example: “The most important skill for me is my ability to communicate with patients and their families. I find that many people are nervous when visiting a doctor or nurse, so being able to explain procedures and answer questions can make them feel more comfortable. Another important skill is patience, as some patients may take longer to understand what we’re saying. Finally, I think empathy is an important skill because it helps me connect with patients and provide care.”

How would you approach a patient who is reluctant to make changes to their lifestyle or diet?

As a nurse practitioner, you may need to help patients make lifestyle changes that can improve their health. An interviewer may ask this question to learn how you encourage your patients to take charge of their own care and develop healthy habits. In your answer, try to show the interviewer that you are empathetic and willing to listen to your patient’s concerns. Explain that you would use active listening skills to understand why they are hesitant to change their diet or exercise routine.

Example: “I have worked with many geriatric patients who were reluctant to make changes to their diets or lifestyles. I find it helpful to first acknowledge their concerns and reassure them that I am there to support them through the process. Then, I explain the benefits of making these changes and offer tips for making small adjustments to their daily routines. For example, if a patient is worried about cooking for themselves, I might suggest starting with simple recipes that only require one pan or pot. This helps them feel more confident in the kitchen and encourages them to continue trying new things.”

What is your process for approaching a patient who has multiple chronic conditions?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to manage complex patients and their needs. Use examples from previous experience in which you were able to effectively care for a patient with multiple chronic conditions, including how you organized your time and resources to ensure that all of their needs were met.

Example: “When I first meet a new patient who has multiple chronic conditions, I like to take some time to get to know them as an individual before diving into their medical history. This helps me understand what motivates them to stay healthy and gives me insight into what they find most challenging about managing their health. From there, I’ll ask questions about each condition and make sure to note any important information or symptoms so I can keep track of everything.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help a patient and their family cope with a terminal diagnosis.

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to provide emotional support and comfort to patients and their families. Use examples from previous experience that highlight your communication skills, empathy and compassion for others.

Example: “When I was working in a hospital setting, I had a patient who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The patient’s family members were very distraught by the news, but they appreciated my calm demeanor and willingness to answer any questions they had about his diagnosis or treatment plan. I helped them understand what to expect during the remainder of his life and how we would treat his symptoms as he went through chemotherapy.”

If a patient was struggling to perform daily tasks on their own, what types of in-home care would you recommend?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your knowledge of in-home care options for elderly patients. In your answer, explain the steps you would take to help a patient find and schedule these types of services if needed.

Example: “If I noticed that a patient was struggling with daily tasks like bathing or cooking, I would first recommend they try hiring a caregiver to come into their home to provide assistance. If they were unable to afford this service, I would refer them to local resources where they could apply for financial aid. If neither of these solutions worked, I would consider helping them find an assisted living facility that best suited their needs.”

What would you do if you noticed a coworker treating an elderly patient disrespectfully?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle conflict with a coworker. It also helps them determine whether you are willing to speak up when necessary and if you have the ability to resolve conflicts peacefully. In your answer, try to show that you value respect for patients and coworkers alike.

Example: “I would first approach my colleague privately to discuss what I saw and ask them why they behaved in this way. If they were treating the patient disrespectfully because of stress or frustration, I would offer to help them find resources to manage their emotions. If they were being disrespectful on purpose, I would report them to management so they could take appropriate action.”

How well do you think you would get along with the other healthcare providers in our facility?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with others. It’s important to show that you can work well with others, especially when the other healthcare providers are more senior than you. In your answer, try to emphasize how you enjoy working with others and value collaboration.

Example: “I think I would get along very well with the other healthcare providers in your facility because I am a team player who values collaboration. Throughout my career as a nurse practitioner, I have worked alongside many different types of professionals, including physicians, physical therapists and social workers. I find it helpful to bounce ideas off of these colleagues and learn from their experiences.”

Do you have experience coordinating care with multiple doctors and specialists?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to work with other healthcare professionals and manage multiple patients at once. Use examples from your experience to highlight your communication skills, time management abilities and organizational skills.

Example: “In my current role as a nurse practitioner, I coordinate care with several doctors and specialists on a daily basis. For example, when I first started working in the geriatric unit, I had one patient who was seeing three different specialists for their diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. I met with each specialist every week to discuss the patient’s progress and any concerns they had about her treatment plan. This helped me ensure that all of our goals were aligned and we were providing the best possible care for the patient.”

When would you recommend in-home care for a patient?

In-home care is an important part of the geriatric nurse practitioner’s job. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience with in-home care and how you would use it to benefit your patients. Use examples from your previous work or explain why you would recommend this type of care for a patient.

Example: “In my experience, I’ve found that many elderly patients prefer to stay at home as long as possible. However, there are times when they need more intensive care than their family members can provide. In these situations, I recommend in-home care so that the patient can receive the treatment they need while still being close to their loved ones.”

We want to improve our patient satisfaction scores. What would you do to improve communication with our patients and their families?

Patient satisfaction is an important metric for many healthcare facilities. Interviewers want to know that you understand the importance of this and how you would help improve their scores. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure patients feel comfortable and supported throughout their treatment.

Example: “I believe communication is one of the most important aspects of providing quality care. I would make sure my patients and their families always knew what to expect during their stay. If there were any changes in their treatment plan or discharge instructions, I would be sure to communicate them clearly so they understood everything we discussed. This helps build trust between our facility and our patients.”

Describe your process for documenting your observations and updates on a patient’s file.

The interviewer will want to know how you keep track of your patients’ progress and treatment plans. This is an important skill for a nurse practitioner because it shows that you can organize information, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Example: “I use the electronic medical record system at my current job, so I am used to documenting my observations in real time. However, when I worked as a registered nurse, I preferred to write down my notes on paper and then enter them into the computer later. I find this method helps me remember details about each patient more clearly than if I were typing while talking with them.”

What makes you a good fit for our facility?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done some research on their facility and are familiar with its mission, values and goals. It’s also an opportunity for you to highlight any personal traits or skills that make you a good fit for this role.

Example: “I am passionate about providing quality care to older adults, which is why I became a nurse practitioner in the first place. Your facility has a reputation for being one of the best places to work because of its focus on patient-centered care, so I know I would be working alongside other professionals who feel the same way. I’m also impressed by how much your facility invests in training and development for employees.”

Which age group do you most enjoy working with? Why?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you are a good fit for their facility. It also helps them understand what your experience level is and how much training you may need to provide quality care. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an age group that you have worked with before or one that you would like to work with in the future.

Example: “I enjoy working with all ages of patients, but I find older adults to be some of the most rewarding. They often have so many stories to tell and they appreciate when someone takes the time to listen to them. I feel honored to be able to provide them with compassionate care.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of end-of-life care?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the specialty and how you can apply it in a clinical setting. When answering, consider what skills you have that would be beneficial to patients who are nearing the end of their lives.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of end-of-life care is ensuring that patients feel comfortable with their surroundings and the people they’re surrounded by. I’ve worked with many patients who were facing terminal illnesses, and I find that being empathetic and compassionate helps them feel more at ease. I also think it’s important to make sure that family members understand the patient’s condition so they can provide support as well.”

How often do you see patients on average?

This question can help the interviewer understand how much time you spend with patients and what your typical workday looks like. It can also give them insight into whether or not you would be able to meet their expectations for productivity. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific number of patients you see per day or week and provide an example of one of your typical days.

Example: “I usually see between five and seven patients each day. I start my day by checking in on all of my patients and making sure they’re doing well. Then, I’ll perform any necessary procedures, such as administering medication or changing bandages. After that, I’ll check in again to make sure there are no issues before moving onto the next patient.”

There is a new treatment for a disease that a patient currently has. Would you recommend it to them? Why or why not?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to make medical decisions. It also shows them how you communicate with patients about their treatment options. In your answer, try to show that you are able to think critically and weigh different factors when making important decisions.

Example: “I would recommend it if I thought the patient was healthy enough to handle the new treatment. If they were already taking other medications or had any preexisting conditions, I would want to ensure that adding another medication wouldn’t cause side effects or complications. I would also consider whether there were any alternatives to this treatment that might be more suitable.”