20 NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Interview Questions and Answers

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is one of the largest and most prestigious healthcare organizations in the world. As such, they are always looking for the best and brightest employees to join their team.

If you’re lucky enough to score an interview with NewYork-Presbyterian, you can expect to be asked some tough questions. In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common NewYork-Presbyterian interview questions, so you can go into your interview prepared and confident.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Interview Process

The interview process at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one in-person interview. The length of the hiring process also varies, but it typically takes several weeks to complete.

The difficulty of the interviews also varies depending on the position. Some positions may require more difficult interviews than others. Overall, the interview process is generally positive. Many applicants report feeling well-prepared and comfortable during their interviews.

1. How would you deal with an angry patient?

This question can help interviewers assess your interpersonal skills and ability to resolve conflict. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you helped an upset patient feel better.

Example: “I once had a patient who was very upset because they were experiencing pain after their surgery. I listened carefully to what they said and asked them questions about the pain so that I could understand more about how severe it was. Then, I explained our hospital’s policies on pain management and assured them we would do everything possible to make sure they felt comfortable. The patient calmed down and agreed to take some medication for the pain.”

2. What do you think will be the biggest challenge in this role?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the role and how you plan to overcome challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific challenge that you have faced in a previous position and how you overcame it.

Example: “The biggest challenge I see with this role is ensuring that all patients receive quality care while also maintaining efficiency. In my last role as a nurse, we had a patient who was experiencing complications from their surgery. We were able to work together as a team to ensure that they received the best care possible. The hospital’s management team supported us by providing additional staff members when needed.”

3. Do you have experience developing and implementing a treatment plan for patients dealing with mental health issues?

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is a large facility that offers many different services to patients. The hospital may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with mental health patients and how you might apply those skills in your new role. If you have worked with mental health patients before, describe the type of treatment plan you developed for them. If you haven’t had much experience with mental health patients, consider discussing some of the other types of treatment plans you’ve created in the past.

Example: “I have worked with several patients who were dealing with mental health issues. In my previous position, I was responsible for creating treatment plans for all patients based on their individual needs. For example, I once worked with a patient who suffered from depression. I helped her develop an exercise routine and healthy diet to help manage her symptoms.”

4. Tell me about a time when you had to work with difficult colleagues, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you have any experience working with a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you worked with difficult colleagues and how you helped resolve the situation or improved your relationship with them.

Example: “In my previous role as an ER nurse, I had one colleague who was very critical of others’ work. This made it challenging for me to ask questions about procedures because I didn’t want to receive criticism from him. Eventually, I decided to approach him about his behavior and asked if he could give constructive feedback instead of just criticizing people’s work. He agreed and we started having more productive conversations.”

5. Why do you want to work at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your interest in their organization. When preparing for this interview, make sure you research the hospital and understand what makes it unique. Consider sharing something specific that attracted you to working at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Example: “I want to work at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital because I am passionate about providing quality care to patients. In my last role as a nurse, I worked with many families who were going through difficult times. It was so rewarding to see how much joy we brought to our patients when they left the hospital. I think NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has an amazing reputation for its patient care, which is why I would love to be part of this team.”

6. Can you tell us about your previous experience treating patients with mental illness?

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is a psychiatric facility, so interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience treating patients with mental illness. If you have any experience working in a psychiatric hospital or clinic, describe the types of patients you treated and how you helped them. If you don’t have direct experience, consider describing a time when you encountered someone with mental illness and what you did to help them.

Example: “I worked at a community health center for two years where I saw many patients who suffered from mental illness. One patient I remember was a young woman who came into our urgent care because she was experiencing suicidal thoughts. She told me that she had been feeling depressed for several weeks but hadn’t sought treatment until now. I talked to her for over an hour while we waited for her psychiatrist to arrive. By the end of our conversation, she felt much better and agreed to see her psychiatrist.”

7. What is your availability like? Are there any times that you cannot work?

Employers ask this question to make sure you can work the hours they need. They also want to know if there are any days that you cannot work, so they can plan accordingly. When answering this question, be honest about your availability and try to find a time when you can start working.

Example: “I am available for full-time work Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. I do not have any specific days that I cannot work, although I would prefer to avoid working weekends. I understand that emergencies happen, though, so I am willing to work overtime as needed.”

8. Describe how you prioritize tasks on a busy day.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you manage your time and responsibilities. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific example of when you had multiple tasks to complete in one day and how you managed them all.

Example: “In my previous role as a nurse, I often had many patients to care for at once. On busy days, I would prioritize the most urgent tasks first. For instance, if a patient was experiencing chest pain, I would check their vital signs and administer any necessary medications or treatments before moving on to other tasks like checking blood pressure or reviewing test results. This helped me ensure that my patients were getting the best care possible.”

9. When was the last time that you had to make a quick decision under pressure?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of how you handle pressure and make decisions. It can also show them what kind of experience you have in making quick, but important, choices. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you had to make a decision quickly and how that choice impacted your work or the outcome of a project.

Example: “In my last position as an ER nurse, I was working with a patient who suddenly became unresponsive. We were able to revive him, but he remained unconscious for several minutes. As his primary nurse, I needed to decide whether we should call a code blue or if he would recover on his own. After checking his vitals and speaking with the doctor, I decided to wait a few more minutes before calling a code blue.”

10. What are some of your strengths as a nurse or physician assistant?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their team. When answering, think of a few strengths that relate to the job description or what you learned from the job posting.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which helps me keep track of my patients’ medical records and stay on top of any changes in their health. I also have excellent communication skills, so I can explain complicated procedures to patients and answer questions they may have. These skills help me work well as part of a team, too.”

11. How long have you been working in the medical field?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how it relates to working at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. If you have been in the medical field for a long time, discuss what skills you’ve developed over the years that make you an excellent candidate for this role. If you are new to the industry, explain why you’re passionate about healthcare and detail any relevant work experience you may have.

Example: “I’ve worked as a nurse for five years now, and I love helping patients feel better when they’re sick or injured. My previous job was in a pediatric hospital where I helped children recover from illnesses and injuries. I’m excited to use my skills and knowledge to help adults who need care.”

12. What do you know about New York Presbyterian’s reputation?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of their organization and how you feel about it. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but also show that you’re excited to work at an institution with such a good reputation.

Example: “I know New York Presbyterian has a very good reputation because I’ve heard many people talk about its excellent care. I’m so excited to have this opportunity to work here because I think it would be amazing to be part of something so well-respected.”

13. Tell me about your approach to scheduling appointments.

Scheduling appointments is an important part of the job, and employers want to know how you would approach this task. Your answer should show that you are organized and can prioritize tasks.

Example: “I always make sure I have a calendar where I write down all my patients’ information. This way, I can see when they’re due for their next appointment or if there’s anything else I need to do with them. I also like to schedule appointments as soon as possible so that patients don’t have to wait too long between visits. If I’m not able to get in touch with a patient right away, I’ll leave a message on their voicemail and then call back again later.”

14. How do you stay up to date with changes in medicine?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you learn new information and adapt to changes in your field. Use examples of ways you stay up-to-date with medical advancements, such as reading journals or attending conferences.

Example: “I have a subscription to several medical journals that I read regularly. In addition, I also subscribe to online newsletters from my favorite healthcare organizations. This helps me keep track of any important news about research, treatments or other developments in medicine. I also try to attend at least one conference per year so I can hear experts speak on their latest findings.”

15. Have you done any research on our hospital?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to see how much you know about their hospital. It’s important that you do your research before going into an interview, and this is one of the best ways to show that you’re serious about the position.

Example: “I did some research on NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital when I first applied for the open nurse practitioner position. I was impressed with the amount of awards they’ve won over the years and the fact that it’s consistently ranked as one of the top hospitals in the country. I also read through the job description and learned more about what the role entails.”

16. What systems do you use to develop a treatment plan for a patient?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your knowledge of medical procedures to real-world situations. Use examples from previous experience to explain how you use systems and protocols to develop a treatment plan for patients.

Example: “In my last position, I used an electronic health record system that allowed me to enter patient information into a database where it could be accessed by other healthcare professionals. This system helped me keep track of important details about each patient’s care, including their current medications, allergies and past medical history. It also enabled me to create a treatment plan for each patient based on their individual needs.”

17. What is your most important achievement as a nurse or physician assistant?

This question is an opportunity to highlight your skills and abilities as a healthcare professional. When answering this question, it can be helpful to choose an achievement that relates to the job you are interviewing for.

Example: “My most important achievement was when I helped my patient overcome their fear of needles by talking with them about how they felt and explaining why we use needles in medical procedures. This allowed them to feel more comfortable during their treatment, which made them less anxious overall. They were able to get through their procedure without any issues.”

18. Tell me about a time where you were able to successfully communicate with someone who didn’t speak English.

This question can help employers understand how you adapt to different situations and environments. It’s important to show that you’re willing to learn new languages, but it’s also beneficial to highlight your ability to communicate with others in a foreign language.

Example: “I worked as an ER nurse at a hospital where many of our patients didn’t speak English. I learned Spanish from my grandmother when I was younger, so I used this skill to translate for some of the patients who needed assistance. While I’m not fluent in Spanish, I could still use basic phrases to help patients understand what we were doing or saying.”

19. What challenges should we expect from a new hire?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to work with others and collaborate on projects. Your answer should include examples of how you overcame challenges in previous roles, as well as how you helped other team members overcome similar obstacles.

Example: “I think one challenge we may face is communication. I’ve noticed that some departments use different methods of communication, which can make it difficult to share important information across the hospital. In my last role, I created an online database where all employees could access important documents and announcements. This allowed us to communicate more effectively and efficiently.”

20. Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you couldn’t finish them all.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you prioritize your tasks and manage a busy schedule. Use examples from your previous job to highlight your ability to multitask, or use personal examples if you’ve had similar experiences in the past.

Example: “At my last job, I was responsible for scheduling doctors’ appointments for patients while also answering phones and helping customers with billing questions. One day, I had so many calls that I couldn’t get through all of them before it was time to start scheduling appointments. I prioritized the most urgent calls first, then scheduled appointments as quickly as I could after that. It took me longer than usual to finish my work that day, but I still managed to complete everything.”