Meeting with an admissions committee to determine if they will be accepted into their first-choice program is nerve-wracking for many. After all, the panel is ultimately making decisions about his future. If it doesn’t grab a student’s attention, we’re not sure what will.
In today’s world, getting into nursing school is a tough nut to crack. This surprises many people, especially considering that the United States will require more than a million new registered nurses. That’s not to say that nursing students should panic. Instead, emphasize the importance of being ready to shine during your nursing school interview.
In this post, we’ll walk you through some possible questions you can expect in your nursing school interview and how you can answer them.
How to Answer Nursing School Interview Questions
Before we get into the possible nursing school interview questions, let’s talk about how you want to answer them. The approach is similar to that of a job interview. And, with the right approach in place, you can be prepared for typical and surprising queries.
How can you come up with a winning strategy?
First, it is beneficial to understand what the admissions committee is looking for.
Nursing schools want to know that you can be successful as a nurse and as a student. Nursing schools want to know that you have the drive on top of a solid basic education and GPA.
Nursing is a profession that many people consider a calling. You are more likely to wow them if you can demonstrate a passion for patient care and health.
They also check for a variety of additional features.
Nurses must have excellent organizational skills, the ability to adapt to fast-paced or chaotic circumstances, and a willingness to take responsibility for their actions. Empathy is also essential to connect with patients and put yourself in their shoes. Communication skills are also essential.
Nursing School Interview Questions and Answers
Here’s a rundown of possible nursing school interview questions and how to answer them. This will help you perform well in the interview session.
1. Why did you decide to pursue a nursing career?
First of all, you need to understand why. You must have a reason, and it must not be to fulfill your parents’ ambitions (or expectations). Perhaps you can say that you have always had compassion for those who suffer, or that you grew up with a good role model in your family (another nurse). You can also link your answer to a specific job you hope to have in the future, like working for the Red Cross in Africa or something else entirely.
2. Why did you choose our university?
You have two options here. The first (less popular, but more honest) concerns the location of the school or other factors that make studying with them convenient for you. The best response is to congratulate them on something they do (maybe their reputation, the great study programs they have, the great campus life, or whatever else caught their eye on your website).
3. What are your guiding principles?
A difficult topic to answer, especially since we often have no idea what our values are, even though we all have some values and act accordingly. Love, hope, health, faith, empathy, compassion, and movement will strike a chord with members of the admissions committee.
4. Do you have a role model in life?
You can dress up as a famous nurse like Clara Barton or Edith Cavell. She can also choose from a list of charitable figures, such as Mother Teresa. Another option is to choose someone close to you who works in the health field and does an excellent job on a day-to-day basis (your father, your uncle, a good friend of yours, etc.).
5. This nursing program has a lot of applications. Why do you think we should choose you over the other candidates?
This is another tough nut to crack. You basically have two options. One of them is to make a list of the skills and qualities that make you a good candidate for a study program.
Another is humility, where you admit that you don’t really know, that you really want to work as a nurse, but you can’t tell if you’re any better than the other applicants to the degree program because you haven’t. seen in person…
6. Nursing school is difficult and time-consuming. Are you prepared to face it? What are you willing to give up?
In this interview, you should not wear pink glasses. On average, 25% of nursing students do not complete their studies. Isn’t that a big number? They don’t always drop out because they don’t pass their exams. Reasons can range from being pregnant to a lack of funds to continue.
Show interviewers that you understand how difficult this will be and that you anticipate spending most of your time studying. You could also mention that you talked to other students, who helped you realize what is expected of you at school and how difficult the experience will be.
7. What do you think is the most difficult component of nursing?
This is a very personal question with a very personal answer. I have known nurses who became emotionally attached to their patients and suffered greatly when their loved ones suffered or died. But I also know nurses who hated night shifts and struggled to keep their work schedule. And what do you think is the most difficult aspect?
8. Can you think of some of your personal characteristics that would help you as a nurse? Is there something you would like to improve on?
They understand that you’re stressed and can’t show them all your best cards, so what you say doesn’t have to be reflected in your presence at the interview. However, he must feel that he has what it takes to one day become a fantastic nurse.
Humility, on the other hand, can work wonders in interviews. The interview committee prefers humble students who are aware of their shortcomings, who believe that there is always an opportunity for development, and who believe that learning never stops.
9. Interprofessional collaboration and teamwork are essential in the field of nursing. Describe an instance when you were a member of a multicultural team.
This is a normal query about your own experiences, where you can look further into your own background, with a focus on a specific attribute valued by this field. You must be open and honest about your experiences, as well as be prepared to consider the pros and cons of variety. Discuss how different perspectives and methods improve a team, as well as how disagreements are respectfully addressed in such collaborative projects.
10. Tell me about the moment you decided to pursue a career as a nurse.
Choosing a career path is an important life decision, and an interviewer will be curious as to why you chose to study nursing. He should talk about the event that inspired him to pursue nursing, why it had such a significant impact on his life, and what made him want to be a nurse in particular.
11. What do you think is the most important quality for a nurse to have?
This question reveals a lot about an applicant’s approach to nursing by emphasizing what they consider to be the most important aspects of the job. You can approach the topic from an interpersonal or a medical point of view, depending on which is more consistent with your ideas. Justify your answer and emphasize the value of the other set of skills.
Helpful Tips for Nursing School Interview
To make a good impression, you need to have confident, thoughtful answers to the questions you are asked at your nursing school interview. Another method to position yourself for success is to dress professionally and maintain good posture during the interview. Filler words and long blank spaces should be avoided when speaking. Before you leave, thank your interviewer for their time at the end of the interview.
If your interviewer gave you contact information, you should send a follow-up email after you leave. Thank the interviewer for their time again on the note and convey your excitement about the opportunity to apply to their nursing school. This follow-up email demonstrates your commitment to the school and your desire to put in the extra hours. You can make an even bigger impression by sending a handwritten note thanking them for their time in the mail.
Conclusion
We hope you found this post as useful as promised. We urge you to take your time to prepare for your nursing school interview.
Frequently Asked Nursing School Interview Questions and Answers
Is a high GPA important in nursing school?
A high GPA, like your nursing degree, is a significant accomplishment. This information can be included in a cover letter or on your resume. A higher GPA can also help you receive better clinical rotation at some nursing schools. Students with the highest averages, for example, are admitted to the intensive care unit or the operating room.
How long does it take to complete a nursing degree program?
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year program that provides students with the skills and knowledge they will need to work in the healthcare field.
What are the many types of nursing topics?
Health promotion, disease prevention, risk reduction, and health restoration are the four key components.
How many hours should I study per day to prepare for nursing school?
It is generally recommended that nursing students study for 2-4 hours every day. To become a registered nurse, you must memorize class material, so the more time you spend studying, the better!
Is nursing school really that hard?
Nursing school is famously difficult. Most nursing programs require high GPAs and good performance in math, chemistry, biology, psychology, and other difficult courses. It’s also quite satisfying.
Is a 3.0 GPA good for nursing school?
The minimum GPA for BSN programs is frequently set at 3.0. The minimum for DNA programs is more likely to be in the range of 2.0 to 2.75. Prerequisite course grades may be considered independently. These are the bare minimum; to be competitive, you have to set your sights much higher.
