UNF summer 2011 hopefull

LouiseJakobsen · Mar 3, 2011

Hey you guys... I am in my last and final semester of UNF's Regular prelicensure program... I just happened to come across this thread and figured I would share something with you guys that I wrote in a thread back when I first started the program in Summer 2009....

it is about the interview day................ btw, what day is your interview?

But so like 70 people have the same interview time. Mine was 8:30 in the morning. BTW get there early.. like 30 minutes prior.. you won't be the only one that is early. You walk up and give them your name and they tell you what group number you are (I was 8 lol). Then I walked into one of the rooms where groups 1-9 or so were meeting. We were all split up into our groups and waited for the rest of our group to show up. Each group had two current UNF nursing students talking to us. They were mainly there to try and calm us down in regards to the interview and just answer any questions we had. But in each group there was about 5 interviewees. The people being interviewed got to talk to each other too at this time. Try and remember their names so you can say "you agreed with what Louise said but in addition to that....." uknow? All the people in my group were super nice.

So then I think the director, dean and beth dibble come in and speak to all of us and tell us we are not competing against the other people in our one small group. So don't try and sound better than the people in your group, just be yourself and the best you can be etc. All 5 in your group can be accepted into the program, or maybe just 2 or maybe none. So don't compete with them directly..... What happens is, after all the interviews are done the interviewers fill out a scantron with your name on it and rank you on qualities etc. Then they rank you from highest scoring to lowest (against every other person who interviewed). The top 48 for the traditional are chosen and the top ranked 24 for the accelerated are chosen. So 72 people total were chosen and about 140 people got to the interview process. Of course there is a waiting list too of like 15 people. If someone declines to go to UNF, they go to #49 etc...

So after the dean and all the other people talked to us in the large group, we were taken by our current UNF students to our group rooms. We walked in and there was an oval table in the room with three interviewers sitting at it. They were just randomly sitting down, so it went interviewer, hopeful, int., hope, hope, intv, hope, hope. so it wasn't like you had three interviewers staring you down the whole time, they were next to you as well.. it kind of made it a more casual atmoshpere.

They introduced themselves to us and told us once again not to be competetitive and that there was no order in answering questions... like if you knew what you wanted to say, just speak up and go first. If you needed time to think of an answer, let a couple other people go first. But I would recommend not being the last person to answer EVERY time. So then they asked us to introduce ourselves... anything you want... name, where you work, where you are from, something you like to do... anything really. Then they asked us five questions. They vary every year... but ours were, in no particular order...

1. Why do you want to be a nurse?

2. How do you handle stress?

3. If we asked your former boss or teacher your best three characteristics, what would they say?

4. What is the hardest thing you have had to do in your life and how did you get through/overcome it?

5. I forgot the last one!!!!!! sorry :-/ if it comes to me I'll post it.

So we all answered questions #1, then went on... once we finished the questions they asked US if we had any questions. HAVE A QUESTION READY!!!!!!! AND GO FIRST WITH YOUR QUESTION!!! In case someone asks the same question LOL. I didn't have one ready, everyone else had asked a question and then everyone's heads turned towards me. I was like OH CRAP and thankfully I am quick on my toes and asked a question. Don't let your question be a silly one, make it count. Research the UNF nursing site and see what they are about etc. My favorite question asked in my group was something like this, "So you asked us how we handle stress, does UNF have any programs or clubs in place to help us learn to deal with the stresses associated with nursing school in a better manner?". I asked a question about community service involvement, a guy asked how many people who finish the program go on to become a more specialized nurse (NP, CRNA etc) and if UNF supported that.

Overall, you should practice answers to possible questions. Even if they word the question a little differently, you should be able to mold your answer for the question. Have 4-5 characteristics of yourself in mind to use during the interview and examples to go with them but mix them up too... you may be a good multi-tasker like at work when you have to [insert here what you do] but also compassionate when you [insert answer here] etc.. Definently have ONE weakness in mind, but if you use one that is an actual serious weakness, back it up by telling them how you have fixed it or are working on fixing it. But don't do a weakness like "I care too much for my own good" my dad was VP of a division of Johnson & Johnson so he always did interviews and he never hired someone who tried to make themselves have a good characteristic as their weakness. So because of that I didn't practice a good characteristic as my answer, that is up to you though... Or you could do a funny weakness, like your weakness is your handwriting because it is so sloppy that no one can read it but then again that may not be good because then doctors can't read it lol

Just be genuine, honest, and most importantly YOURSELF. Show them you are genuinely interested in the program and that it is your goal to become a nurse.

And dress in nice attire. Business casual uknow? I wore a light brown pant with off white pin stripes and an off white top. Try not to bring a purse, you don't need it... maybe a small one for your keys. I didn't bring anything. I was dropped off because I flew in from Colorado for the interview so obviously my car was still in Colorado.

Here is a link from a forum on here... it has a bunch of interview questions

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing...ake-88629.html

or google "nursing school interview questions" or something like that.

Hope this helps, let me know any other questions you may have.

Wanttobeanurs · Mar 3, 2011

Thank you Louise87! Very helpful information. I have applied to UNF's accelerated program and have been invited to interview, too! (SO HAPPY!!) Can anyone answer this question - If only 24 are accepted into the accelerated and 48 into the regular, what if my first choice of accelerated is full, but I score high interviewing. Will I be offered a regular seat?

Congrats to all of you!

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2011

Louise87, very kind of you to share your experience and your advice! It is much appreciated! :) I can't believe it's almost a week away ... :eek:

Thank you Louise87! Very helpful information. I have applied to UNF's accelerated program and have been invited to interview, too! (SO HAPPY!!) Can anyone answer this question - If only 24 are accepted into the accelerated and 48 into the regular, what if my first choice of accelerated is full, but I score high interviewing. Will I be offered a regular seat?
Congrats to all of you!

I thought I heard that even though a candidate has applied to the accelerated program they could very well be offered a seat in the regular track. I seem to remember reading that on a UNF thread from last year's candidates. But I should defer to someone who has been through this experience for a definitive answer. Although I would prefer the accelerated, I would be happy to be offered either.

Wanttobeanurs · Mar 3, 2011

Paco69 - Thanks for the clarification. I am with you - accelerated is my first choice, but regular is fine, too. I just don't want to wait to get started!

susurra · Mar 7, 2011

Hey you guys! That's my understanding too -- that if you apply to accelerated, you are automatically considered for both. So if you don't get a seat in the accelerated program you may still get a seat in the regular track.

OMG! Almost constant butterflies now!!! Paco69, are you as calm as you seem?

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

Paco69, are you as calm as you seem?

LOL, I guess you can say that I am! I think I am more calm than ever now because within the last 2 weeks I have been accepted to ABSN's at UCF and Stony Brook, so the interview @ UNF does not seem so "do or die" anymore. But that does not mean I will slack off for the interview. I will give them my best shot. Who knows? UNF could very well be the school I attend out of the 3 if I am accepted there.

FLhusker · Mar 7, 2011

I wonder how many are being interviewed in all. I think I heard that they interview twice as many as they accept. However, if the accelerated candidates can be considered for both programs, which is the case, then you could say they have a better chance at a spot. Bummer for those of us who ONLY want traditional. Oh, well...good luck to all!!

Congrats Paco on being accepted so many places. I'll bet it feels good to be able to choose! You'll be the calmest one at the interview for sure!

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2011

I wonder how many are being interviewed in all. I think I heard that they interview twice as many as they accept. However, if the accelerated candidates can be considered for both programs, which is the case, then you could say they have a better chance at a spot. Bummer for those of us who ONLY want traditional. Oh, well...good luck to all!!
Congrats Paco on being accepted so many places. I'll bet it feels good to be able to choose! You'll be the calmest one at the interview for sure!

Thanks FLhusker! Well, I know of 2 other UNF interviewees who were accepted @ UCF so I surely won't be the only one. I remember it mentioned that about 150 are interviewed total. 24 for the accelerated and 48 for the traditional. I think that is the breakdown IIRC. Good luck to you!

susurra · Mar 8, 2011

LOL, I guess you can say that I am! I think I am more calm than ever now ...QUOTE]
Yeah! Congratulations, Paco! I was thinking that I'll finally get to meet some of the people on this message board - the ones who have the same interview time as I do. You are one of them. But then I was thinking, "How will I ever know who's who?" Now I know - like the last person who posted said - Paco69 will be the calmest one there!
(And may I say, you have been a calming influence on this board all along!)
Best of luck to you and to everyone!!

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2011

LOL, I guess you can say that I am! I think I am more calm than ever now ...QUOTE]
Yeah! Congratulations, Paco! I was thinking that I'll finally get to meet some of the people on this message board - the ones who have the same interview time as I do. You are one of them. But then I was thinking, "How will I ever know who's who?" Now I know - like the last person who posted said - Paco69 will be the calmest one there!
(And may I say, you have been a calming influence on this board all along!)
Best of luck to you and to everyone!!
You're sweet! I aim to be calming. It just makes sense. Last year I was a mess, applied to one school, was waitlisted, never got in and had no plan B. I convinced myself NOT to do that again. Having backup plans really relaxes you! If one thing does not work out, the other will (or should!) ... I don't think you will have a problem picking me out, LOL! After all, how many guys are probably going to be there?

DTbluemoon84 · Mar 9, 2011

Hey guys,

If anyone is interested, I am trying to set up a group mock interview tomorrow at the UNF library at 1pm. I think it'll be a great practice for those of us not familiar with group interview. It is nothing formal but I was hoping more people can join us. There's only me and another friend right now. Let us know! Thanks!

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2011

Good luck everyone with interviews tomorrow! :up: Let's rock!! :)