Top 7 CRNA Interview Questions to Ask

Trying to hire an exceptional CRNA? Interview questions can be the key to pinpointing and retaining the ideal candidate. After all, onboarding is a wasted effort if the match between the new employee and the organization is poor.

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are in high demand in the healthcare industry, but the costs of turnover are also high. It’s estimated that replacement costs for a CRNA are as high as two times their annual salary. Retention is a critical element of staffing.

In this article, we’ll take a look at seven nurse anesthetist interview questions to ask your next candidate. We’ll discuss the rationale behind each question and cover what to look for in the answers to help spot a good fit for your team with strong clinical skills.

Key CRNA Interview Questions to Ask

Job interviews are often time-intensive endeavors for leadership teams, especially on top of already packed work schedules. It’s important to maximize each interview by asking questions that identify the values and strengths of the applicant. Here are a few sample CRNA questions to help you pick out the strongest candidate for your organization.

1. Before a procedure, your patient expresses fear of anesthesia. How do you respond?

Caring for patients doesn’t stop with their physical state, but rather includes responding to emotional and psychological needs. Undergoing anesthesia, or any procedure that requires anesthesia, can be a stressful experience. It’s crucial for a CRNA to have the ability to be compassionate and communicate with patients in kind, empathetic ways.

What to listen for:

• Ability to validate patient concerns, establishing a supportive and safe environment
• Strong rapport-building skills, such as active listening and empathy

Potential follow up questions:

• What is a non-pharmacological technique you use to reduce patient anxiety before a procedure?
• Tell me about a time when a patient’s fear of anesthesia was based on an adverse reaction they had experienced in the past. How did you handle the situation?

2. Tell me about a time when you made a clinical error related to local or general anesthesia administration. How did you respond and what did you take away from the experience?

Mistakes happen to everyone, including experienced, highly skilled, healthcare professionals. Even in surgical settings, where the stakes are high, people can make errors. It’s crucial to be able to recognize — and correct — mistakes, reflect on the experience, and use it as a growth opportunity. Look for candidates who embrace a culture of safety and advocate for patient safety.

What to listen for:

• Critical thinking skills and the ability to recognize and fix errors quickly
• Identification of steps to prevent repetition of the error, such as incident reporting, process improvement, safety initiatives, and education

Potential follow up questions:

• What is your process for validating a drug choice that you’re uncertain about?
• How do you ensure clear communication with your colleagues in operating room environments?

3. Describe a complicated pain management case you were involved with. How did you handle the situation and resolve challenges?

Clinical CRNA interview questions like this one allow the candidate to showcase their expertise. A candidate with a lot of experience will have a very different answer than a new graduate. It’s an excellent opportunity to dive into the more technical aspects of the job and understand the scope of the applicant’s previous experiences.

What to listen for:

• A strong understanding of pharmacology, pathophysiology, and safe patient monitoring
• Awareness of acute and chronic pain management strategies

Potential follow up questions:

• How do you assess the effectiveness of a pain management protocol you’re using with a patient?
• What is your approach to assessing a patient’s pain level when they’re in an altered state?

4. How do you manage stress while working in high-pressure perioperative environments?

Working in the surgical/procedural setting with medically complex, high-acuity patients is intense and can lead to burnout. In fact, job stress related to poor relationships with physicians is one of the leading reasons CRNAs leave anesthesia practice. Qualified candidates will be able to describe the practices they use to manage stress in healthy, productive ways — both inside and outside of the clinical space.

What to listen for:

• Effective coping skills and self-care practices
• A history of maintaining composure in high-stakes perioperative environments to deliver effective patient care

Potential follow up questions:

• Describe a time when a patient’s airway was compromised during a procedure. How did you react?
• What is the biggest stressor you’ve identified for the position we’re offering, and how do you plan to cope with it?

5. Describe a time when you and a colleague on the surgical team had opposing views. How did you resolve the conflict?

Disagreements are a completely normal part of teamwork and group dynamics, especially in the operating room and other procedural settings. Working through differences and finding common ground is vital for building positive relationships. Particularly in the clinical setting, where patient safety is at risk, people must be empowered to speak up, raise concerns, and express opposing viewpoints. A patient’s life might depend on it.

What to listen for:

• Prioritization of patient safety and comfort
• Ability to collaborate with a surgical team and resolve conflicts to deliver effective anesthesia

Potential follow up questions:

• What are three words that other members of the surgical teams you’ve worked on would use to describe you?
• Have you received any formal conflict-resolution training?

6. How do you stay up to date with the current research and best practices related to anesthesia administration?

For CRNAs, education doesn’t stop after graduation. As lifelong learners, nurse anesthetists must be committed to continuing education and have a growth mindset. During the CRNA interview, clinical questions about the cultivation of core skills will help you assess the candidate’s approach to professional development.

What to listen for:

• Engagement with specific journals, conferences, and professional organizations
• Places value on developments in evidence-based practice regarding patient safety, anesthesia administration techniques, and complication prevention

Potential follow up questions:

• How do you adapt your practice to align with best-practices of anesthesia administration?
• Do you consider yourself a lifelong learner?

7. What do you enjoy most about being a nurse anesthetist?

Interview questions like this might seem basic, but the answer to this question can tell you a lot about the motivations and personality of the candidate. Knowing what brings joy to their work is important for understanding the person’s passions and approach to being a CRNA.

What to listen for:

• Values and beliefs that align with the facility’s mission and company culture
• Identification of facets of the CRNA job that are included in the open position’s job description

Potential follow up questions:

• What excites you most about working as a nurse anesthetist within our healthcare organization?
• What are some aspects of this CRNA role that you think will bring you job satisfaction?

Find the Right Staff at the Right Time by Partnering With Us

Once you attract nursing talent to your open position, asking the right mix of CRNA interview questions is crucial. Need to find the next new member of your surgical team quickly? Consider posting the position to our healthcare-focused job board to easily connect with CRNAs today.