Interview for nursing program

One1, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2009

One of the nursing schools I applied to required an interview. What questions do you have?

acantrell77 · Nov 30, 2009

Do all nursing programs require a interview? Do you have the interview before you are excepted? What kind of questions do they ask? What do they want to find out from the interview? Thank you so much for your help! I am about to apply and just want to be prepared...

One1, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2009

Do all nursing programs require a interview? Do you have the interview before you are excepted? What kind of questions do they ask? What do they want to find out from the interview? Thank you so much for your help! I am about to apply and just want to be prepared...

1) No, not all schools require an interview. I applied to 3 schools, all accelerated BSN programs, and only one of them required an interview.

2) With this school, the first step was to apply online. Categories in the application were GPA (prerequisites and previous bachelor), healthcare and volunteer experience, and application essay. This is where the biggest selection was made. Only a small group of applicants was then invited to the interview, and at that point, there were roughly 2 interviewees for every spot the school has.

3)/4) I think the main reason for the interview is to get a feel for the applicants, and to see if they are a good fit for the school. There was a similar thread about interviews somewhere on this board a while ago, I will see if I can dig it up again. In general, the questions are somewhere along the lines of why you want to be a nurse, if you can handle the intensity of the program, and what makes you special compared to other applicants. It is not unlike what you will write in your application essays.

I think as long as you are yourself and say what you know and mean rather than what you think the school might want to hear, you should be fine :up: .

What kind of degree/ programs are you applying to?

acantrell77 · Dec 1, 2009

Thank you for all the info, it will definitely help me to be prepared. I am applying at a local junior college for the ADN program. My plan is to get my ADN and work a few years and then go back for my BSN (after my little ones get a little older...I have 3 small kiddos:heartbeat). I am not sure if the program I'm appyling for requires an interview. I have not come across it from all the research I have done, but I will know here before too long.

Are you in the BSN program now?

One1, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2009

I don't think the community colleges in our area require an interview either, but I am sure you would do fine if you had one!

I applied to nursing schools this fall and am starting my nursing program in May. I actually picked the school with the interview, I was very positively impressed by it, and am excited to have been accepted Until then, I have to finish some remaining prerequisites that only this school requires. Are you applying to a waitlist or competitive entry program?

SingDanceRunLife · Dec 7, 2009

I applied to 11 schools with nursing programs, and only had to interview for 1. Granted, half of them weren't direct entry, but still.

I was asked things like:

1) Why the school?

2) How I work through hard things.

3) Why nursing?

thatsthekeyRNC · Dec 8, 2009

The BSN program I'm applying to has an interview too and I was wondering what kind of things they might be asking as well!

I had a meeting with them to see how my classes would transfer and what classes to take beforehand and the lady explained that the interview is to get a feel for who you are and basically see if you "fit" into the program/nursing career. She said that sometimes they get applicants with perfect grades, but that doesn't mean they'd be a good nurse, so they like to meet you. I actually think it's a good thing!

I'm sure they'd ask the the "why nursing?" type questions, but like you I'm stumped past that :-/ I think I'm just nervous about it because I haven't done any type of interview in a few years.

jo'ee · Dec 11, 2009

Yes, my 1st choice school had an interview. My second choice did not. I think they wanted to get to know the real me...not just my GPA. It was very relaxed....dress business casual. Smile alot. Ask questions...this is very important, but dont ask questions that are answered in the school catalog.

I was asked (I am a former artist)...what can an artist bring to the nursing field? Did I have a realistic view of what kind of studying is required for that nursing school (I have a 4.0 and was still asked this ?) I had to write an essay when I arrived at the interview and they chatted with me about my essay(luckily they loved it) They asked me if anyone in my family were nurses. They were pleased my sister is a nurse because they know that I know how hard nursing is and how how clinicals are. They did not ask me why I wanted to be a nurse, that ? was answered in my application essay. Mostly the other questions were just chatting and very relaxed. I was so nervous going in....but the questions were not ones to stump you like say..."where do you see yourself in 5 years type ?" I didnt get the impression they were trying to trick me with hard questions to answer, just trying to get to know me.

So my advice is to think about why you want to be a nurse and just be yourself. good luck to you!