What do they want to hear?

[FritoPie]

YIPPIEE -- I have received a questionnaire from the nursing program. I have created a rough draft and already know what my answers are going to be but I wanted to post the questions here to see if you guys had any suggestions on what you think they might WANT to hear from me....

1. What motivated you to pursue a nursing career? Why now?

2. What qualities do you feel are important for a person going into the nursing profession?

3. What do you feel are your strongest characteristics?

4. If working, what do you like best about your job? Like least?

5. If working, what do you dislike about your employer?

6. Why should we admit you into the program?

7. What do you plan to be doing in nursing five years from now?

If you know of any special points I need to make to help make myself more desirable please share them! I would appreciate it greatly!

THANKS - LINDA

[CountrifiedRN]

Just answer the questions honestly, and from the heart. Sell your best qualities, and give examples.

Except for number five, be careful there. Don't get too negative, even if there are lots of things that you dislike about your employer. Maybe something neutral, like inadequate benefits.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

[fergus51]

I say make sure you don't tell them that you ever want to get out of bedside nursing ever.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

I'd be careful of not only #5 but question #4 too. Depending on your answer it can be a loaded question. I'd stay away from any answers to #4 that pertain to hours you work, patient load, stress level. Politly give them something about someone that may not work well in a team approach.

Number 5 surprises me they would even include on a entrance interview, but walk softly, you can always cover yourself by telling them that you are generally satisfied with the job and may return after graduation you havent decided as yet and by going into their nursing program you hope to get exposure to many other areas of nursing.

Good luck.

[trishaLVN]

FERGUS....lol good point......FLOOR NURSE FOR LIFE hehe

definetly #5, I agree with RN2bNC, even with a negative Q like that, I would still try and stay positive, with out sounding like a griper---I would steer to the neutral side, also

[colleen10]

Hi Linda,

I just wanted to let you know that Monster.com has a section on their website where you can do a "virtual Interview".

Even though you are not at the personal interview stage yet you should check it out because they give a lot of examples and advice on how to answer "tricky" questions like #4 and #5. ie. what "negatitivities" you should and should not discuss and how to put a positive sping on something negative. It would also work with a written questionaire.

I've run through it a couple times and it has really helped me.

Good Luck!

Colleen