They are nerve wracking and a lot does depend on your interview performance. But they are worth it.
The interview panel usually consists of nurses who may now lecture at the university you have applied for and some may even be local nurses. All the interview is, is to get to know you as a person. To understand if who you said you are in your application is true.
After all, nursing gets more and more competitive each year. The standard is being driven up and up. The government keeps changing their minds on what they want student nurses to be and / or have. Do you have GCSE’S? A-Levels? Access course with good marks throughout? Experience? Will you not be those that the media have deemed “too posh to wash”?
Universities are continually changing their entry criteria in line with the government and the likes of the NMC. Examples of this are:
Have you completed study in the last 5 years? The last 3?
Have you GCSE's grade A-C in English, Maths and Science? Grades A-B?
Do you have a-levels? Does one of those need to be in a science based subject?
It is hard, it can be difficult but it is SO worth it after all that work you have put in!
I was asked to 3/5 interviews. This would have been 4 however they wanted me to apply for learning disability instead of adult. As i had used my 5 choices this was only possible through clearing. This in particular university emailed me to speak to me about this too. Very nice people!
To prepare for interviews....research!
Google frequently asked nursing interview questions or something along those lines. You are told not to discuss the questions exactly so unfortunately i cannot put them on here.
Plan plan and plan. Plan how to get to your interview, how long it will take, etc. Nothing worse than turning up late looking dishevelled and sweaty!
Practice. I made those little cue cards with possible questions on to look over as i made my way to interviews and in the days running up to them.
Take someone with you if you feel you need it! I never did this but some people are soo nervous and need a friendly face.
Be sociable. When you get there talk to the others, talk to the staff around you. Although it may not seem it, you will be seen as soon as you walk through the door. Create an impression (for the right reasons)
Smile :D You want to be a nurse don't you? Nurses have to be approachable, be friendly and warm. So act the part.
Be organised! Take your certificates (photocopies and originals) if asked. Take your interview letter, your ID and any photocopies of that if needed. It shows organisation and the ability to pay attention, especially if this has been stated in your letter!
1 interview i withdrew from, and 2 i attended.
Both were individual interviews. Some universities may have group interviews as well as an individual, or instead of.
Group interviews are there to show you ability to work and communicate with others. My advice? Dont talk over people but dont be that timid mouse in the corner scared of making your opinions known. This follows through to nursing if you ever need to report anything. Don't be afraid to!
My first interview was okay. I dont think i get massively nervous in interviews, after all i’ve done a fair few to get jobs. But my first interview for university felt like a total different ball game so to speak. All the other candidates there were lovely. It was a relaxed day (even though we had maths and english exams - they weren’t so bad and my revision paid off! - PASSED!) I was the first one in, 2 women and what felt like a fairly informal chat on why i had applied etc. (cant give the questions they ask..this is asked of you when you go in to prevent unfair advantage etc to others)
After that interview it was a waiting game.
( I later found out i was unsuccessful )
I was then asked to another interview. Cue more nerves and excitement! In this interview there were no tests, just a 15 minute sit down with 2 ladies in a small room. I answered their questions with a little prompting from them..think i went off on a tangent a few times! And then i left. Chatted to a few who had also been in for interviews, each seemed to get asked slightly different questions but more or less the same. My panel informed me they don’t read the personal statement beforehand so i gave them a run down! So it's always helpful to know your personal statement inside out.
Then i went home and waited some more.
