Interview Questions When Entering Nursing School

For those of you about to go thru the nursing interview process. Here is the list of questions and suggestions I have accumulated. I hope this helps everyone.

Updated:  

The first part is from a nursing instructor at a college so, YOU KNOW IT's good stuff!

Dress as if you were going to a business interview.

This would include:

  • Solid color, conservative suit (black, blue)
  • Coordinated blouse
  • Moderate shoes
  • Limited jewelry (pearls are a nice touch)
  • Neat, professional hairstyle
  • Tan or light hosiery
  • Sporifice make-up & perfume

Try to relax and be yourself. Project a positive, self-confident, sincere, congruent attitude (not cocky or arrogant--this will turn off the interviewer fast). Lean forward slightly in the chair, smile, make eye contact, don't cross arms or legs. Appear at ease and enthusiastic. Speak in complete sentences with correct grammar and intelligent vocabulary.

Interview Questions to Anticipate:

Why do you want to be a nurse? or Why have you chosen nursing as a career?

Be creative on this one ... they have heard "to help people" a million and one times.

How are your finances?

Things to think about ... Will your employer support your scheduling needs during nursing school? At this point, consider your limitations--no working past 11 PM on clinical nights, no working more than 20 hours /week with a full time school.

Is your family supportive of your schooling?

Do you have adequate transportation for clinicals?

Things to think about ... Some clinical sites may be 2 hrs away.

Consider your requirements for CPR certification, immunizations, a complete medical examination, by a certain date. Have as many of these done prior to the interview as possible! It really helps!

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Never give much information about weaknesses--this is just supplying reasons for you NOT be chosen.

Case Scenario Questions

It is even possible they may throw a case scenario at you to test your critical thinking skills: You are the nursing student on a clinical unit and the patient (on the 4th floor of the hospital) asks you "Would I die if I jump from this window?" What would you do? Or, you are the nurse and you are reporting an important change in patient condition to a doctor and the doctor yells at you and calls you stupid, what would you do?

Other Questions...

Why have you chosen this particular nursing school?

What do you think a nurse's responsibility is in today's society?

What kind of experiences have you had with nurses in your past?

What qualities do you possess that will make you a good nurse?

What area would you like to work in once you finish school, and why?

In regards to nursing, where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

How well do you get along with others?

Are you a leader or a follower?

Are you comfortable taking a leadership role?

Are you willing to be a representative for a small group of people or the whole nursing program?

Do YOU have any questions? (Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions.)

I was also asked about how did I deal with a situation when a person who did not know me decided that he/she didn't like me?

I was asked what would I do if I noticed a classmate cheating.

I was asked for my definition of plagiarism.

I was asked if I was familiar with the APA style of writing and citing papers.

The most rewarding thing in your life thus far?

The most challenging thing in your life so far?

The type of educator/supervisor you like the most?

Scenario: Your supervisor comes to you and your small team of co-workers and tells you that a new change in policy is effective immediate. You do not think the change can be implemented due to logistics. What do you do?

Your short-term (3-5 years) goal in nursing?

Your long term (5+ years) goal in nursing?

Interview Tips

  • Be honest.
  • Do not give vague or general answers - they want specific examples.
  • Review your application and essay - assume that the interviewer is not familiar with it.
  • Be familiar with current trends in nursing - helps to demonstrate why you want to become a nurse and how you feel you can make a contribution in the profession.
  • Don't be afraid to show emotion. I cried twice during my interview in relating some life examples.
  • Practice with a partner. Anticipate these questions and think up the most positive attributes about yourself.

Thanks, those Qs are great

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What qualities do you think are important in a nurse?

Has there ever been a time where you have had to take a leadership role and what did you learn?

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

What can you tell us about yourself that is not on your transcript?

What would you say is your biggest self-improvement?

Be ready to ask the interviewers questions at the end of your interview.

Have good posture and convey your thoughts clearly..... and try to maintain good eye contact.

Don't forget to smile! :)

Good luck!

susiq

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All those questions are great!! Thanks... Does anyone have some questions to ask during your interview?? I've been trying to think of a few but I fell like I am fried after all the studying and running around I have been doing the past few weeks. Thanks!!

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

How to ask for a letter of recommendation

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:chuckle thanks

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the questions were great .... thanks so much for taking the time

to post them! :D

Peace,

bubalu

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Specializes in Not specified.

I was invited to interview for admission into UIC nurse practitioner program. They said the interview would be 45-60 minutes! How many people should I expect there to be in the room? Is is appropriate to ask the admissions office what to expect in the interview, in terms of the number of participants, types of questions, tips for success?

I spoke to several people who are enrolled at the BSN level and they said that they did not have to do an interview. Can anyone share their experience of interviewing at the MSN level?

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What was your hardest patient and how did you deal with them?

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My interview for an MSN program was an odd one. First of all it was a group interview, that was a little disconcerting. I was the ONLY one not wearing a suit. The program director and the faculty asked us a question about what we thought one of the major issues Nurse Practitioners would have an impact on in the future was. Everyone wrote thier answer down and then we read them aloud (I made sure I went first).

Next we all went outside to the courtyard and each of us had to cross the courtyard in a way that was totally unique from any of the others. I chose somersaults.

We went back inside and we had to write down what we thought the previous exercise told us about the people performing them. I put down that it revealed who the best people to go out drinking with at the end of the semester were.

Then we all took a test, chatted some more, answered some more questions and that was it.

I found out later that I was one of the few to get offered early admittance. I was happy that I had been myself...from answering the questions honestly (really, what CAN you tell about a person from how they cross a courtyard if not thier drinking style) to not wearing a suit. I let my personality shine through, even when in meant stating, that for me, abortion rights were one of the most important issues that will be facing NP's in the future.

I know I've chosen the right school and that they've chosen the right student for both our personalities.

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Specializes in Cardiac stepdown Unit & Pediatrics.

I am so glad I found this! My interview is tomorrow and I was looking for something to practice with! Thank you for posting this.

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cool post

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thanx a lot

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