Finding the best talent for your NICU can be an intricate process. One important step along the way is conducting interviews to screen candidates. When you’ve narrowed down your pool of neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) and are preparing for interviews, be sure to include the following questions.
- How do you stay up-to-date with the latest medical research and information?
This question can showcase the candidate’s education as well as their interest in and commitment to learning more, including new procedures. - Which certifications do you hold that enable you to provide exceptional neonatal care?
While you’ve likely already seen the candidate’s certifications listed on their resume, it’s important to ask this question in person to confirm that they have the proper qualifications to work as an NNP in the NICU. - Which diagnostic procedures are you familiar with?
Candidates should be able to explain how they’d take charge and perform the steps of diagnosing an infant. Make sure they’re able to demonstrate knowledge of specific diagnostic procedures and different medical tests. - What would you do if a parent was distraught about their child’s condition and violated hospital policies in an attempt to hold their baby?
Since it’s certainly possible that NNPs could encounter this situation, they should be prepared to take the proper steps to diffuse it. Your candidate’s response should indicate the desire to enforce hospital regulations, but also compassion for the parents and prioritization of the patient’s health. - What made you decide to pursue a career as an NNP?
While there’s no “right” answer to this question, in most cases, candidates will express a passion for working with infants and being a member of the medical community. Candidates who truly enjoy what they do may be more likely to be engaged members of your NICU. - How do you remain calm in stressful medical scenarios?
There are few occupational environments as high-stakes as the NICU. Stressors will be a part of your NNPs’ daily lives, so their response should illustrate their ability to work well in high-pressure situations. - Which treatment would you recommend for a newborn with breathing complications?
This question aims to assess the candidate’s clinical knowledge and experience. Make sure their response is consistent with what other members of your NICU team would recommend. - What would you do if you didn’t agree with a fellow NNP’s methods for administering care?
Your candidates’ response will be telling of their ability to handle conflict. Their answer should show that they put the patient’s care first, but that they aim to resolve internal issues respectfully and through the appropriate channels. - How would you comfort family members who are upset?
While having hard skills is important to an NNP’s success, a soothing bedside presence is important in a department as emotionally charged as the NICU. Use this question to gauge how effective a candidate would be in calming new parents during stressful or upsetting times. - How do you prioritize tasks in the NICU on a daily basis?
Task prioritization is an important skill for NNPs to master. Look for an explanation of how candidates take an organized, consistent approach to tackling their daily tasks. - Have you ever made a mistake that needed to be corrected?
Mistakes can happen, but in their answer, the candidate should demonstrate the ability to recognize them, speak up to ensure they’re addressed appropriately, and learn from the experience to prevent them from happening in the future.
Clearly, there are many considerations that go into hiring the best NNPs for your healthcare system. Alleviate the hassle of finding the right talent for your open positions by partnering with Ensearch. Start the process by scheduling a Comparative Needs Analysis online.
