This post covers Nursing Leadership Interview, as detailed below.
Assignment: Interview with a doctorally-prepared nursing leader
Please choose a leader in the field of nursing who has achieved a doctoral degree. This person can be someone who you work with currently, know personally, or someone who you do not know that you reach out to. It is recommended to provide the interviewee with the interview questions ahead of time so they can prepare, and then conduct the interview either in person, on the phone, or via a virtual platform. Provide a 250-word summary introducing the doctorally-prepared nursing leader that you selected. Describe why you chose this person, your relationship if applicable, and how long they have been in their current role.
Complete the transcription of the interview according to APA 7th edition instructions. This may be written in first person. Please make sure to cite personal communication (S. Jones, personal communication, January 6, 2025). APA format is required (attention to spelling/grammar and a reference page).
Questions:
- Describe your leadership style and how it has evolved over the course of your career.
- What are the biggest challenges you face as a nursing leader in your organization, and how do you address them?
- How do you foster a culture of safety, quality, and accountability among your staff?
- Can you share a recent example of a strategic decision you made that impacted patient outcomes or organizational performance?
- How do you engage nursing staff in organizational change and ensure buy-in during transitions?
- In what ways do you support professional development and mentorship for emerging nurse leaders?
- How do you use data and evidence-based practices to guide decision-making at the leadership level?
- What role does interprofessional collaboration play in your leadership approach, and how do you encourage it?
- How do you stay informed about healthcare trends, policy changes, and innovations that impact nursing practice?
- What advice would you give to a DNP-prepared nurse aiming to move into a leadership or executive role?
250-word summary of the leader, why you chose them, relationship and time in role
10 questions and answers, first person, APA personal communication citation
Published sources only; interviews are cited in text
Part 1: Model introduction (about 250 words)
Original example for study purposes. Replace the bracketed details with your interviewee’s real information.
Introduction to the Doctorally-Prepared Nursing Leader
For this interview, I selected Dr. [First Last], [DNP/PhD], [credentials, e.g., RN, NEA-BC], who serves as the [job title, e.g., Chief Nursing Officer or Director of Nursing] at [organization name] in [city, state]. Dr. [Last Name] has held this position for four years and oversees [scope, e.g., nursing operations across inpatient and outpatient units, a team of nurse managers or a specific service line]. Before moving into executive leadership, he taught nursing at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) in Montgomery, Alabama, where he prepared future nurses through classroom instruction and clinical teaching. This background in nursing education shapes his leadership today, as he places strong emphasis on mentorship, professional growth and evidence-based practice among his staff. I chose Dr. [Last Name] because his career reflects the transition from educator to organizational leader that many doctorally-prepared nurses hope to make, and his experience in both academia and practice offers valuable insight into how DNP-prepared nurses can influence patient outcomes, staff development and organizational performance. [Describe your relationship, e.g., “I have worked under his leadership for two years as a staff nurse at [organization]” or “I was introduced to him through a colleague and reached out to request this interview.”] I provided the interview questions in advance so he could prepare thoughtful responses, and the interview was conducted [in person/by telephone/via Zoom] on [date]. His reflections on leadership, organizational change and mentorship are summarized in the transcript that follows ([Initial]. [Last Name], personal communication, [Month Day, Year]).
Part 2: How to format the transcript in APA 7
- Use a level 1 heading such as “Interview Transcript,” and a brief note of the date, format and length of the interview.
- Label speakers clearly, for example “Interviewer:” and “Dr. [Last Name]:” in bold, with each question and answer as its own paragraph.
- Write answers in first person, as the assignment allows, and keep the interviewee’s meaning accurate. Light editing for clarity (removing “um” and repeated words) is acceptable.
- Cite the interview as a personal communication in text only: (J. Smith, personal communication, October 30, 2026) or “J. Smith (personal communication, October 30, 2026) explained…”. APA does not list personal communications on the reference page because readers cannot retrieve them.
- Get permission to record and to share the interviewee’s name and title, and remove any patient or confidential organizational details.
Transcript template
Interview Transcript
Interview with Dr. [Last Name], conducted via [platform] on [date], approximately [length] minutes.
Interviewer: Describe your leadership style and how it has evolved over the course of your career.
Dr. [Last Name]: [Response in first person.]
Interviewer: What are the biggest challenges you face as a nursing leader in your organization, and how do you address them?
Dr. [Last Name]: [Response.]
Continue the same pattern for all ten questions, then add a closing line such as “Interviewer: Thank you for your time and insights.”
What strong answers usually cover
Use these points as follow-up prompts during the interview so your transcript has depth. Record only what your interviewee actually says.
| Question | Follow-up prompts |
|---|---|
| 1. Leadership style | Transformational, servant or situational leadership; how teaching at a university influenced the style; lessons from early mistakes |
| 2. Biggest challenges | Staffing and retention, burnout, budget pressures, regulatory demands; specific strategies used |
| 3. Safety, quality and accountability | Just culture, safety huddles, event reporting, shared governance, quality dashboards |
| 4. Strategic decision | The problem, the data behind the decision, who was involved and measurable results |
| 5. Engaging staff in change | Frontline input, change models (Kotter, Lewin), communication, unit champions |
| 6. Professional development and mentorship | Certification support, tuition assistance, leadership academies, formal mentoring |
| 7. Data and evidence-based practice | Metrics reviewed, nurse-sensitive indicators, EBP councils, translating research into policy |
| 8. Interprofessional collaboration | Joint rounds, committees, TeamSTEPPS, relationships with physicians and administrators |
| 9. Staying informed | Professional organizations, journals, conferences, policy updates, networks |
| 10. Advice for DNP-prepared nurses | Business and finance skills, mentors, board involvement, executive certification, emotional intelligence |
Part 3: Reference page
Because the interview is a personal communication, it does not appear on the reference page. Include any published sources you cite, such as leadership frameworks or professional standards. If your paper cites only the interview, check with your instructor about whether a reference page is still required; many instructors ask students to include at least one scholarly source to connect the interview to course concepts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I interview someone I do not know?
Yes. Many students contact chief nursing officers, nursing faculty or DNP-prepared leaders through LinkedIn, professional organizations or their school’s alumni network. Send a short, professional request with the questions attached.
Do I need to record the interview?
Recording helps accuracy, but always ask permission first. Otherwise, take detailed notes and confirm key points with the interviewee.
How do I cite the interview if I quote it?
Use the personal communication format in text, for example: Dr. Smith noted that “staff engagement starts with listening” (J. Smith, personal communication, October 30, 2026).
Related reading: nursing interview transcript example, the policy process for nurse leaders and writing a nursing personal statement.
For further reading, see this external resource.
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