Nursing School Interview Questions

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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To get into the nursing program at my school, you need to pass an entrance exam (HESI) and go through an interview with 3-4 of the nursing teachers (at the same time). They also go by your GPA and attendance. I'm wondering what kind of questions they will ask at the interview. I know they will probably ask:

1. Why do you want to be a nurse?

I want to be a nurse because I want to help people, not just physically but emotionally too. I want to be that nurse who goes in and asks you how you're feeling today, how are you doing, do you need anything, what can I do to make you more comfortable. Not just one who gives you your medicine and leaves.

I tried asking myself that, and I don't know why I have such a hard time coming up with a good answer. Anytime I try to answer it, I talk about how I think I would be a good nurse, but not why I want to be one. I want to give them an answer that will impress them and make them think, 'She's going to be a good nurse.' I DO want to be a nurse, for many reasons. But I don't want to give them a generic answer either. Is my answer non-relevant? What answers have you given? What other questions will they ask?

This interview is what worries me the most. I don't know why I'm so stressed over it.

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I haven't gone through an interview as yet - you're further along than I am :) - but maybe you can share a story of how you first got interested in nursing? WEre you hospitalized and were helped by a great nurse? Did you have a crappy nurse who made you want to do it right (lol)? Did you see some cute scrubs and think, "I could wear that!" (just kidding!). anyhow, maybe that can get your creative juices flowing...

Best to you!!

Suz

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I had my interview last month. It was really not as bad as i had thought. She just wanted to know why i wanted to be a nurse of course, what are my strengths and weakness, ask me to tell her about myself, home life , work,kids ect.. oh, i have a personal experience that drew me to nursing i told her the honest truth, if you have had an experience then share it with them. Good luck and just stay calm and be yourself i'm sure you will shine!

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Thanks guys! CrazyMom4, thats exactly why I wanted to become a nurse! My gramps was in the hospital and he had some pretty rough/rude nurses. It actually made me want to do their job better! And thats exactly what I told my admissions represenative too, lol. I was scared that if I told them that in the interview they would think it was rude, haha. But yeah, thats is exactly what made me want to be a nurse!

And when my gramps went through a kidney transplant a couple years ago, he had a great nurse. He still talks about her almost every day. Just how nice, gentle, and caring she was. I'd love to be that nurse for someone. I want people to want me as their nurse. Does that make sense? lol

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Megan, I think you've got your interview answer! That's a great story. Brings tears to my eyes that your grandpa still talks about her everyday!

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1. Why do you want to be a nurse?

I want to be a nurse because I want to help people, not just physically but emotionally too. I want to be that nurse who goes in and asks you how you're feeling today, how are you doing, do you need anything, what can I do to make you more comfortable. Not just one who gives you your medicine and leaves.

I would suggest not using this first part (bolded) in your answer. It's very typical and probably heard a thousand times by the interviewers. The story about your gramps is perfect, but you may want to sugar coat your descriptions about the nurses being rude, maybe lean towards something about him having nurses that seemed to not be as compassionate as you see yourself being as a nurse. Go in there with confidence. You will do great, good luck!!

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Im sorry but the whole interview to get into nursing school sounds very high school to me.

Do you need an interview to be a teacher or an accountant? You could do either one of those jobs horribly and adversly effect someones life.

I mean how subjective is that to have your entry depend on some other persons opinion about why you want to be in the profession. How does that have merit? If they dont like your answer, are you out?

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Actually, a lot of colleges in general use interviews for their admissions process (usually entering freshman), so technically yes you could possibly have an interview to be a teacher or accountant if the particular college you want to attend requires an admission interview. Medical schools and graduate programs also use interviews. It's not just nursing. I guess it wouldn't be any more subjective than someone interviewing you for a job...you being selected for the job depends on their view of your answers. Same concept. I see your point though.

Also, I don't necessarily think the answers are the make it or break it to the interview. They are probably looking more at how you handle yourself, were you on time, appearance (professional), etc.

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Thank you so much everyone!

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