Any Nurses around?

[SportyGirl]

Hi guys. I have an interview with uni for a place for a student nurse next week (Friday). I am totally unprepared and would like some advice. What kind of questions do you think I will be asked? Do I need to be doing research on the NHS or on what I think the course entails?

Please help, I have already been turned down from one uni, they told me I seemed to have very little knowledge of the course and the intensity of the course. I got the impression they didn't want to give a place to someone with kids.
Any information appreciated.

Hi Sportygirl,
First of all congratulations on getting an interview.
Its 20 years since i had mine but only 10 since i had my midwifery interview so will tell you what i can.
Read up as much as you can about current issues in nursing.Cant help you with what but maybe go to WHSmiths and buy the nursing times.
Have a look on the web for current news and new legislations ect.
Research is always a big one-why is evidence based practice so important ect.They may ask you how you have prepared for the interview.You can tell then you have read up and maybe you will be given the opportunity to discuss a recent article or big study.If you have read the nursing times bare one in mind.You dont need to remember much-just thedate,author and brief outline of the study.
Very important-they asked me more about how i would cope with the course with children than anything else.Tell them what a supportive family you have and how you are prepared for the massive commitment.What childcare will you rely on and what about when the kids are sick.How will you cope with working on the wards all day and staying up all night with one of your children only to have to be back againat maybe 07.30 hours.Tell them what a fabulous husband/partner/friend/mother you have that he/she is willing to help out for 3 years .
Tell them you are a good time keeper and transport is not a problem.Slip in your good health .Maybe mention what you do to relax-so when everything is looming you enjoy walking or swimming to unwind.
They wont be looking for how much you already know about nursing-more your attitude towrds commitment.Please dont worry about the kids bit.That makes no differrence and in fact only heightens your life and people skills.They needn`t know if you have noone to help you out and when you actually get a place what do we all say ( FAMILY COME FIRST ! ) Say what you need to but if my kids needed me i always tried to be there for them whatever excuse i had to use, and i still passed.
Let us know how you get on and have a couple of student nurses working with me at the mo so can ask them if yiu need any more info.

Nursing courses are based around placements in hospitals and in the community with district nurses.

The studying will cover physiology, sociology and psychology, and may be exams, essays, individual and group projects.

Do you know which branch of nursing you want to do?

Hi. If I were you I would read up on current NHS hot topics. ie MRSA, c-diff, cross infection, current NHS deficits etc. NT have a good cross section of opinion so I would read one or two as previously suggested.
Make it clear you are aware of the hard work involved and how committed you are. They are not supposed to ask you about childcare etc, but they may try and get that info out of you. I would keep any details about your childcare to yourself and just say something like. 'I have a very good support network and my family are very supportive of my career decision' or something like that!

Definitely be well prepared! Use the feedback you got from the last interview (even tho' may be a bit negative) to improve your background knowledge.... but try to relax & be honest in the interview- nursing's about being yourself & being aware of yourself- you're a mum- you've got lots of experience of life & that counts!

Thanks everyone. You all gave really great advice. I will let you know how it went.

Good Luck. Out of interest. Which uni?

My cousin had an interview for a student nurse place & was asked what she thought of the current situation in the NHS and she replied "a bloody mess". That might go against her don't ya think? [gri].

I talked about smoking cessation and MRSA at my interview.
I also made it quite clear, that although I had children, I had adequate support at home and was totally commited to nursing.

tiredemma. What questions were you asked?

erm.. ill try to think of which questions I was asked at each of my interviews ( applied to two uni's- got places at both) I also have some questions written down somewhere that i asked them. i will post them later for you if thats ok. im a bit of a rush at the mo, but will put them on later.

OK, cheers!