To ask your advice on my Children's Nursing interview?

[cookymonster]

Hi all. I'd appreciate any advice anyone could offer me!

I have an interview for a Children's Nursing degree, and am nervous. Going for a university interview was something I last did when I was 18 and got a place to study at Hull, and I'm now 35! I know it's silly to be nervous, but I am, a bit. I got a first class degree from another uni, but that was in an entirely different subject. Nursing is far of more a dedicated vocation in comparison to my other degree... hope that makes sense?

I have a young niece who was born with hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy; my sister nearly died giving birth to her, and my sis is now legally blind. When I'm not running our charity shop, I've been looking after my niece - which is what inspired me to apply for Child Nursing. I've worked with kids before in a different field, and was amazed to find that their parents thought I was really good with them. I've been looking for a vocation for a long time (I've been in retail management since I left uni, and although I like it, it's not what I really want to do.) I think that nursing is it.

I have to have two sets of interviews: one with the course tutors, and one with a group of kiddies. This may sound really bloody stupid, but I'm more nervous about the children interviewing me! I'm good with kids, but I have no idea to answer an 8 year old asking me ''how do you avoid being patronising?'' without sounding patronising!!

Can anyone offer me any advice on how to relax for my interview? I'm terrified!

Sorry for the essay!

I'm a children's nurse and wholeheartedly recommend it.
In regard to the interviews just be honest, friendly, and smile - all qualities that you need for children's nursing. Your personality will shine through I'm sure.
I've never heard of children interviewing! Think its a great idea in some ways though - I think the same advice for the above would help. A smile can say a 1000 words and all the research and surveys we have done on my ward show that children want someone who is friendly, smiley and will answer their questions with honesty, compassion and kindness.

Saw this on linked on facebook the other day - you might like to read it?

dothehappy.tumblr.com/post/64319041603/on-being-a-paediatric-nurse-i-wish-i-knew-how-to-tell
(hope the link works)

Good luck

I've just gone back to Uni to achieve my BA in nursing. It's all a bit of a culture shock from my last experience of Uni in 1998!

A couple of videos that I've been introduced to though:

The 6 C's - the new vision

There is no doubt that the 6 C's will be discussed in your interview.

Another Children's nurse here too

I also used to interview prospective students for the course although when I did it we didn't have kiddy interviews just someone from clinical practice (me) and a lecturer from the University.

I find the whole 'children doing interviews' very strange.... But I guess there are very valid reasons for it

Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it.

I won't lie; I am nervous about how I'll cope with some of the harsh realities of the job, although I shouldn't worry about that until I get my place on the course!!

I feel very much like this is what I need (not want, but need) to do for a living. I know I'm strong - I'm certainly not some naive little flower, to put it mildly - but I can't help questioning whether I'm up to it. I think I am, but I am worried that I'll find certain situations hard to deal with, as a result of my own previous experience as a kid.

How do you cope with some of the more extreme situations you see as a children's nurse?

Thanks again. Apologies if this is all a bit heavy!!

Ooh, good luck, are you applying to hull again? I have loads if textbooks that need a good home I did children's nursing there a little while ago, loved it

And to answer your question, I'm not sure how I cope with the hard stuff, you just learn to carry on at the time and cry about it later, well I do!!

Another children's nurse!

In the difficult situations you have to try and detach yourself but obviously you still care. It's only when you go home or go on a break that you get upset (To be honest it's not like I have sad situations every day, most of it is routine stuff).

Never heard of children interviewing before. It's a great job, if totally exhausting and a lot of paperwork!

I think if you're genuine and passionate about children's nursing, then that will come over in your interview, and that counts for a lot! You can also.google potential questions to see what other people have been asked, but don't prepare answers, try to answer from the heart, you don't want to sound rehearsed.
It's also worth looking at the NMC code, and NHS jobs website to make sure you can demonstrate you know what's involved in being a nurse. Also look at a nursing Times or nursing standard (or is there a specialist child nursing publication you could subscribe to?), as in my experience interviewers tended to ask you to talk about a current issue in nursing and give your opinion on it. Good luck!

@MrsSpencerReid - nice to meet a fellow Hull graduate! The Larkin Building was pretty much my second home throughout my four years at Hull. I moved Darn Sarf years ago, so will be studying at the University of Hertfordshire, if I get in!!

Thanks to everyone for the advice.