What to expect in a nursing interview at a university

I'm interested in applying to nursing programs and I'm a bit nervous about the university interviews. What kind of questions do they typically ask? I want to be as prepared as possible and any advice would help a ton!

An interview for a nursing program may involve some general questions to understand your personality and your academic ability along with more technical nursing-specific exchanges to gauge your passion and preparedness for the course of study and profession.

1. Personal & Behavioral Questions: Expect basic personal questions about your background, your academic life, your strengths, and areas of improvement. These are designed to better understand your personality and character. For example, you may be asked about your motivation for being a nurse, or a time when you faced a challenging situation and how you handled it.

2. Academic Questions: The interviewers will likely ask questions about your studies, what's drawn you to nursing, or if there have been any particular areas of study thus far in your academic career you've enjoyed.

3. Nursing-specific Questions: You're likely to be asked more specific questions about why you want to go into nursing, why you're interested in their particular program, and what specialties within nursing you're considering, if any. Questions may range from discussing the role of empathy and communication in patient care, to hypothetical scenarios about patient care or handling stressful situations.

4. Ethical Questions: In any medical profession, ethics is a crucial area. So, you might be asked about ethical decisions you've made, or faced with hypothetical ethical dilemmas and asked how you would handle them.

In preparing for the interview, ensure to have a clear understanding of 'why nursing' and 'why this school or program'. Research the program thoroughly to articulate what aspects really appeal to you. Another helpful practice is doing a mock interview and preparing answers for common questions.

Remember, the university is not only assessing your potential as a student but also gauging your eventual success as a healthcare professional. They are keen on recruiting individuals who will enrich their learning community and bring compassion and competency to the nursing profession.

While it's natural to be nervous, remember that the interview is also your chance to ask your questions and determine if the program is indeed a great fit for you. Good luck with your preparation!