Mastering Your First CRNA/Nurse Anesthesiologist Job Interview

Congratulations! Your training is nearly complete and you’re ready to embark on your first CRNA job search. Across the country, demand for CRNAs continues to climb due to an aging population with increasing surgical and pain management needs. Because anesthesia administration is critical to maintaining a full schedule of revenue-generating surgeries, organizations are often willing to pay above-market rates to hire CRNAs in any capacity–full-time, part-time, or contract.

So, whether you are seeking work with a hospital, surgery center, or independent practice, high-paying opportunities are abundant for CRNAs in a wide range of surgical specialties. That said, CRNAs should resist the urge to accept a job from the highest bidder. Though contract jobs typically pay the highest rates, employment may provide more in terms of benefits, stability, and career development. When evaluating opportunities, use the interview process to identify employers that will meet your professional needs in an environment that aligns with your cultural preferences and provides the opportunity for optimal work-life balance.

The interview plays a key part in the hiring process, giving both employers and candidates a chance to evaluate the other to determine if there is a good fit. While the high demand for CRNAs may give candidates an advantage in the recruitment process, you must still adhere to interview protocols and meet or exceed the employer’s expectations. Of course, CRNAs must know the basic dos and don’ts of CRNA job interviews, but it’s equally important to know what questions to ask and when to ask them to adequately evaluate if the employer is a good fit. Keep reading for some in-depth interview advice that will not only inspire offers but also help you determine whether or not to accept them.

Recognize Each Stage of the Interview Process

During your first CRNA job search, you may be interviewed multiple times or by multiple people from the initial screening call to the formal on-site interview. While most interview advice is specific to the latter, it’s important to recognize that every interaction with a representative of the employer is an interview of sorts. That is, it’s an opportunity for the employer to evaluate you and for you to get to know them.

The initial screening call will be a series of questions designed to determine if you meet the basic criteria for the position. The recruiter will likely ask about:

• Certifications, training, education, and licensure
• Experience related to specific types of anesthesia, equipment, and various procedures
• Professional development and continuing education activities

Once the interviewer determines that you are potentially a good fit, a virtual or onsite interview will be scheduled.

Know Your Strengths

As you progress through the interview process, the sharing of information should begin to flow both ways. That is, you are learning about the organization while they are continuing to learn about you. Be genuinely curious about the organization, asking questions about its mission and culture when appropriate (but leaving specific questions about compensation and special schedule requests for the offer negotiation). If the follow-up call goes well and you are local, you may be invited to an in-person interview. If you are not local, they may want to conduct a virtual interview with other members of the department before scheduling an on-site visit where you will tour the facility, see the community, and of course, meet more stakeholders.

During this next stage, whether in-person or virtual, you will be asked more in-depth CRNA interview questions designed to reveal your clinical proficiency, technical knowledge, and temperament. Know your strengths and be able to articulate them in a way that demonstrates your technical skills.

Prepare answers and examples in response to the following prompts:

• Describe your experience with different types of anesthesia. Which do you prefer and why?
• What are the most common complications you’ve encountered and how did you respond?
• How do you handle CRNA job stress? Provide an example.
• How do you ensure patient safety before, during, and after anesthesia?
• How do you contribute to a positive work environment?
• What are your long-term career goals?

Know Your Priorities

While preparing answers is of course important, you’ll also want to spend time thinking about what kinds of questions you should ask in the interview. This begins with identifying what matters most to you in a professional opportunity, something all CRNAs should do early in their first job search. Once you can articulate what you are looking for in a job, the on-site interview provides the chance to gather evidence that the job and organization can deliver what you need. Consider asking questions about the following areas.

Role and responsibilities:

• What types of anesthesia cases are most common at this facility?
• What is the typical patient load? How much call is expected?
• What type of anesthesia equipment is used at the organization?

Organizational culture:

• How is the anesthesia team structured?
• How are teams incentivized to support each other?
• What measures are in place to support collaboration?
• How does the organization handle conflict among staff?

Work-life balance:

• How does management encourage work-life balance and the prevention of burnout for its CRNAs?
• What does a typical schedule look like and how much flexibility is allowed?

Professional development:

• What does the onboarding process look like?
• Are new hires assigned a mentor?
• How is performance evaluated?
• What growth opportunities exist for CRNAs who are early in their careers?

Ask questions throughout the process, and if you are encouraged by what you see and hear, share your feelings of alignment with your interviewer. On the other hand, if you have concerns, it’s okay to respectfully express them. Give the interviewer a chance to address any red flags you may have spotted.

CRNA Job Interview Basics

Understanding the nuances of the interview process will help you be successful, but only if you adhere to the basics as well:

• Arrive on time. Find out ahead of time where to park, which entrance to use, and who you should ask for upon arrival.
• Dress appropriately. It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. Wear professional work attire, not scrubs.
• Be respectful. How you treat people–from the receptionist to the CEO–will be noticed.
• Be curious. Ask and listen to what others have to say.
• Put your phone down. Put your phone on silent and don’t check it during the interview.

The CRNA interview process is an opportunity for both parties to get to know each other to find out if they make a good match. Set yourself up for interview success by recognizing which stage of the process you are in and knowing who you are talking to and how they fit into the organization. Prepare thoughtful answers to questions about your educational journey, prior clinical experience and technical knowledge. Most importantly, know what is most important to you in a CRNA job and use the on-site interview to see if the opportunity has the potential to meet your needs.

If you are seeking your first CRNA job or are ready for a new opportunity, AANA Motion is the official CRNA career platform of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. It allows you to see all the relevant practices in your preferred area, so you can take control of your CRNA career. Start your CRNA job search today.