Top 50 Nursing School Interview Questions

So you’ve applied to nursing school, and now it’s time for your nursing school interview. Nursing school interviews are just as important and intensive as job interviews. And just like job interviews, nursing school interviews require careful preparation.

Nursing school applicants are generally required to go through an interview as part of the application process. Your interview for nursing school will give the admissions committee a chance to understand who you are as a person by learning more about your values. They want to make sure that you have the right attitude, personality and work ethic to be a great nurse.

The nursing school interview is the most important step in the nursing school application process. It’s also the last and final step before the admissions committee makes a decision to determine if you are a good fit for their nursing program.

As with any interview, it’s important to prepare yourself for any and every question that could come your way. Get a head start on preparing for your nursing school interview by reviewing and practicing these top 50 nursing school interview questions.

Opening and General Questions

Many different types of interviews have similar opening questions. Essentially, the interviewer wants to know who you are and why you are here. When answering the questions, try to be specific without rambling. Consider your motivations and think of ways to relate your background to nursing school. Finally, whether you are interviewing for nursing school or a job, always remember to research the program and organization beforehand, to show you are really interested.

1. 1. 1. Tell us about yourself.

1. 1. 2. Why do you want to be a nurse?

1. 1. 3. Why did you choose this school/program?

1. 1. 4. How did you learn about this program?

1. 1. 5. Why should we admit you to nursing school?

1. 1. 6. Do you have a role model in life?

1. 1. 7. Who will support your nursing education?

Personality and Character Questions

You have explained a little bit about your background to the interviewer, but now they want to know more. These questions are designed to get into the nitty gritty of your character. Be honest about your values, strengths, weaknesses, and goals. It is far more enjoyable to the interviewer to talk to a real person, so don’t be afraid to let your real personality shine. When you can, try to connect things back to how your character is well-suited for nursing school and a career is a nurse.

1. 1. 8. What are your core values?

1. 1. 9. What career would you pursue if you didn’t decide to go into nursing?

1. 1. 10. What is your greatest strength?

1. 1. 11. What is your biggest weakness?

1. 1. 12. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

1. 1. 13. What are your current goals?

1. 1. 14. What are some of your hobbies or passions?

1. 1. 15. What would your previous bosses or classmates say about you?

1. 1. 16. What qualities do you possess that would benefit you as a nurse?

Questions About Your Experience

Everyone knows nursing school is quite difficult. The interviewer will want to know what your academic career has been like so far. In addition, they will want to know if you have any job experience. Jobs where you worked with a team, worked to serve people, or worked in the healthcare field are especially relevant.

1. 1. 17. What is your proudest achievement?

1. 1. 18. Tell me about your favorite educator. What did they teach you about life?

1. 1. 19. What are your study habits?

1. 1. 20. How will you arrange your schedule when it comes to both studying and working?

1. 1. 21. What was your favorite academic project in university/college?

1. 1. 22. What was the biggest lesson you learned from your current or previous job?

Teamwork and Communication

All jobs involve working with a team, but for nurses, good communication can literally be the difference between life and death. With these questions, the interviewer is looking to see if you know how to work with a team and handle conflict, two things you deal with abundantly as a nurse.

1. 1. 23. Give an example of a time when you experienced conflict with a coworker or fellow student. How did you handle it?

1. 1. 24. Do you prefer to work with others on your own?

1. 1. 25. Tell me about a time when you demonstrated leadership.

1. 1. 26. Tell me about a time when a cultural barrier challenged your ability to communicate. How did you deal with that?

1. 1. 27. Give an example of a time when you used critical feedback to improve.

1. 1. 28. Have you ever had to change how you communicate with a coworker or colleague? How did you identify the problem and how did you change?

1. 1. 29. How would you explain a complex idea to a fellow student or patient who is unfamiliar with the subject?

Problem Solving and Resiliency

As mentioned previously, nursing school is hard. It doesn’t get any easier once you start working as a nurse. The interviewer wants to know if you know how to organize your time, prioritize projects, and handle stress.

1. 1. 30. How do you handle stressful situations?

1. 1. 31. Tell me about a time you made a mistake. How did you handle it?

1. 1. 32. What about being a nursing student intimidates you the most and why?

1. 1. 33. What was a difficult situation you had in the past? How did you overcome it?

1. 1. 34. Many nurses struggle with the long hours they may be asked to work. What is your perspective on working for extended periods?

1. 1. 35. How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple projects and assignments at the same time?

1. 1. 36. How do you maintain your physical and mental health with a stressful workload?

Questions on Nursing Ethics

It is extremely important for nurses to be ethical. Their patients depend on it. These questions are designed to see if you understand the ethical ideas and are comfortable discussing complex ethical problems.

1. 1. 37. What do you think is a nurse’s social responsibility?

1. 1. 38. If you saw a medical professional acting unethically, what would you do?

1. 1. 39. Name a healthcare issue that you think should be given importance? Explain why?

1. 1. 40. What are your views on mandatory influenza vaccinations for nurses in hospital settings?

1. 1. 41. If you caught your classmate cheating during exams, what would you do?

1. 1. 42. What is plagiarism? Give an example.

1. 1. 43. Imagine you are working with a physician who wants to give a patient a necessary treatment. The patient refuses. What should the physician do?

Questions about Your Future

All college students will be familiar with these types of questions. Where do you want to work? What are you going to do after graduation? The interviewer wants to know where you’re headed. Students who haven’t thought about these questions come across as short sighted and uninterested in a nursing career. Even if you don’t know exactly what you want to specialize in or where you want to live, it’s good to think about these questions. If you truly don’t know, give a couple of options you are considering and explain why you are drawn to both.

1. 1. 44. What will be your first step after graduation?

1. 1. 45. Where do you want to practice your nursing degree?

1. 1. 46. Have you made plans on some nursing specialization?

1. 1. 47. Are you comfortable working with other doctors and nurses?

1. 1. 48. What do you think is the hardest part about being a nurse?

1. 1. 49. What do you find unappealing about nursing?

1. 1. 50. Are you comfortable taking leadership roles?