How to Answer NursingSchool Interview Questions
Before we dig into the actual questions, let’s take a moment to cover how you want to answer them. The approach isn’t unlike a job interview. And, with the right strategy in place, you can be ready for common questions as well as unexpected ones.
How do you create an effective strategy? First, it helps to understand what the admissions board is looking for.
Nursing schools want to know that you can succeed not just as a student, but as a nurse, too. Along with a strong foundation education and GPA, nursing schools want to know that you have drive. Many consider nursing a calling. If you can show them that you have a passion for patient care and health, you’re more likely to impress.
Additionally, they look for a range of other traits. Nurses need stellar organizational skills, the ability to adapt to hectic or chaotic environments and ever-changing priorities, and to be accountable for their actions. Having empathy is also a must, ensuring you can connect with your patients and put yourself in their shoes. Communication skills are vital, as well.
Now that you know what you need to highlight, it’s time to dig into how to showcase your talents. Usually, you’ll tap on the qualities mentioned above when answering behavioral interview questions. We’ve discussed behavioral interview questions in depth before but, for those who aren’t familiar with what they are, here’s a summary.
Behavioral interview questions are designed to learn more about how you think and act, usually in a professional context. You’ll commonly be asked to discuss specific kinds of scenarios, either based on past experience or as theoretical situations you might face. Since this is a nursing school interview, some of the questions will pertain to being a student, while others may focus on your future potential as a nurse.
Usually, thebest approach to behavioral interview questions is the STARmethod. Essentially, the STAR method allows you to answer interviewquestions using a storytelling approach, allowing you to shine a spotlight onyour capabilities in an engaging way.
But you don’t want to stop there. With all of your answers, you also need to make use of the Tailoring Method. It’s really a form of customization, ensuring your answers speak directly to what a particular nursing school thinks is important. To put it simply, it’s not about focusing on what the college can do for you but what you can do for the school and the nursing profession as a whole.
IMPORTANT: By personalizing your response based on the school’s mission, values, and priorities, you are speaking the admissions board’s language. You make a connection with them, and that can make all of the difference.
We also wanted to let you know that we created an amazing free cheat sheet that will give you word-for-word answers for some of the toughest interview questions you are going to face in your upcoming interview. After all, hiring managers will often ask you more generalized interview questions along with their Pharmacist specific questions!
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What would you do if youfelt you were struggling or falling behind in a nursing class?
Many nursingcourses are astonishingly challenging. Plus, the learning can be surprisinglyfast-paced. It isn’t uncommon for students to struggle in at least one class orsubject area, or to potentially fall behind.
The admissions committee wants to know if you have a strategy in place for dealing with this situation, as it’s almost guaranteed to arise. It’s all about you being accountable and taking ownership of your education, as students who can do that are more likely to thrive.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
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FREE BONUS PDF CHEAT SHEET: Get our “Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet” that gives you “word-word sample answers to the most common job interview questions youll face at your next interview.
Now that youhave a reliable strategy for handling nursing school interview questions, it’sexample time. By knowing the questions you’ll face, and how to tackle them,you’ll be more confident and poised when you meet with the admissionscommittee. You’ll be ready for the inevitable, and that’s important.