One of the most stressful parts of applying to nursing school (besides the actual application part) is the nursing school interview. Interviews by their very nature are stressful as well – you sit in front of people who are very much deciding your future.
Here are some tips and tricks gathered from industry veterans who have been conducting or have been in nursing school interviews over the past several years.
1) Try to always think there are more fish in the sea.
You may have a dream nursing school that you’ve been wanting to get into since you were seven. However, even if you don’t get into your first choice, know that many nursing students who wound up going to their “alternate” schools found that their alternate schools was actually the best choice!
2) Have some “practice interviews.”
It’s always better to get your initial jitters out. Use your least desirable schools as a springboard to practice your speaking and answering skills. By the time you get to your preferred schools, you will be on a roll.
3) Don’t be modest.
Remember everything your grandma talked to you about being modest? Don’t be. Highlight your strengths and your achievements. You are competing against some of the brightest in the nation and you have to outshine them.
4) But don’t be a pompous, arrogant jerk.
Don’t overdo tip #3.
5) Background research = very important
Although you are interviewing for a nursing school, take the opportunity to interview them as well. They will want to know that you did enough research in the school as it shows your true interest.
6) It never hurts to sound passionate
Students who sound knowledgeable and passionate about nursing will get the extra advantage - be articulate in describing nursing issues and be prepared to have a strong opinion backed by facts and reasoning.
