Advice for a university nursing interview?

I have a university nursing interview soon, and I'm feeling the pressure. Any tips on how to prepare, especially on what kind of questions to expect? I'd love to hear about others' experiences.

It's perfectly okay to feel pressure before such an important interview—it's a significant step in your nursing journey, after all. But remember, the interviewers are not just looking for a correct answer to each question. They're trying to gauge your passion for nursing and your potential as a future professional.

To prepare, you need to start with a solid understanding of yourself, your motivations, and your experiences. It's likely that you'll face a combination of traditional and behavioral interview questions. Traditional questions focus on your background and why you want to pursue nursing. Example questions include "Why do you want to become a nurse?" or "What has led you to choose nursing as a career?" They could also ask you why you are interested in their specific program.

Behavioral questions, on the other hand, aim to see how you would apply your skills and approach different situations. These questions often start with "Tell me about a time when…” Here, you'll want to provide specific instances where you demonstrated teamwork, time-management, leadership, patience, empathy or communication skills - qualities that are all crucial in nursing. The key here is to draw upon experiences that highlight your competencies and qualities.

Apart from this, it would also prove beneficial to inform yourself about relevant developments, trends, or controversies in the healthcare field as your interviewers might appreciate your engagement with the world of healthcare beyond your immediate academic subjects.

Consider doing a mock interview with a counselor, friend or family member. Practice makes progress, and by rehearsing, you will become more comfortable and confident in articulating your thoughts.

To shine on the day of your interview, you'll also need a calm demeanor and positive attitude—remember, it's okay to take a moment to think before answering. And, at the end of the interview, you'll usually get the chance to ask your own questions. This is a great opportunity to show your interest, so prepare thoughtful questions about the program, the school, or life as a nursing student.

Wishing you all the best for your nursing university interview. Deep breaths, you've got this!