Preparing For Nursing School Interviews

Nursing school interviews can cause more anxiety than you need. Being prepared for some tough questions and keeping your composure will increase chances of being chosen to attend a quality school that offers a career in nursing. Nursing schools want to know that you will be a great student for their school. There are many well qualified candidates lined up for a chance to get in. The interview process will test your poise and readiness for what is to come after acceptance to a nursing program.

Before your interview, take time to research and learn about the nursing school. If you know what the school is looking for, you will then be prepared to explain why you will be the right student for them. Find out what the schools mission statement is. That way you are able to tailor some of your answers to that statement. Look for things the schools say about what they look for, for example previous volunteer activities and work experience in hospitals or other clinical settings. In the interview, try to focus your answers to questions on your strong points, but you don’t want to appear to be too perfect. Be prepared to explain your weaker points if they ask about them. Clarify how you overcome weaknesses rather than make excuses for them. Also think ahead about possible questions they may be asking. Think about how you will respond so there will be no hesitation or stuttering in your answers. Write down all the possible questions that could be asked. Write what your response will be and study this. Don’t memorize the responses but the responses should be relevant and intelligent. Perform a mock interview with someone other than a close friend of family member. You want a truthful response in pointing out mistakes and bad habits you may have. Some schools have admissions departments that offer mock interviews to students.

Nursing students usually have to look a certain way while representing their school. You are expected to be well groomed and have a clean cut appearance. Show up with nails trimmed and no acrylics, tattoos covered, facial piercings removed, and hair neatly cut or styled.

Here is a list of do’s and don’ts:

Do’s

Do your research
Show up on time
Go to bed early
Dress appropriately
Relax
Possibly drive to the location and figure out parking the day before
Have at least 1-2 intelligent questions to ask the interviewer

Don’ts

Chew gum
Constantly apologize
Don’t wear perfume
Discuss religion
Use slang
Smoke before the interview
Use soft voice
In a group interview don’t be the first to answer a question or the last

Here are some of the questions that I was asked before getting accepted in a BSN program at a local university.

What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?
How do you relieve your stress?
What population do you want to work with?
What would a previous employer or professor say about you?
How did you handle a stressful situation?
What experience can you bring to this nursing program?

Proving you are calm, and socially proficient is important in any interview, it is very important in a profession focused around working with other people and dealing frequently with stressful situations and important quick decisions are made. This is what they are looking for. Once you conquer the interview, you are on the way to a nursing career.

 

Nursing Education , , ,

In-House Nursing Programs VS Nursing School: Which Is Better?

The health care part of the economy is one of the very few that continued to grow even in the midst of the greatest economic recession that has ever hit the United States. But for that very reason, nursing schools have become competitive places in the past few years — if you’re thinking about how amazing it would be to help people heal while you make a good living, you’d better have a plan.

Starting At the Bottom

You might want to start as a nurse’s assistant and work your way up the ranks from the inside, taking the nursing programs offered at your hospital. There’s nothing wrong with that; it’ll get you the social and political connections you need to be at the top of the totem pole by the time you get there. But it does take an awfully long time, and you might find you get upset when people from the outside — the ones who went to nursing school — get hired to be your superiors despite your experience and connections.

On the other hand, you can get started quickly — getting a Certified Nursing Assistant diploma only takes three months, and that’s if you don’t take the accelerated course. And once you have your CNA, you can walk into almost any hospital, nursing home, or other major medical institution and have at least a ground-level job.

Starting In the Middle

You might want to skip the startup and jump straight in as a Licensed Practical Nurse. It’s nice to jump into a position that pays in the middle five digits up front, there’s no doubt about that. Of course, to get there you’ll have to take 2-3 years of nursing education. Some hyper-accelerated courses (usually online) might allow you to get your LPN in only nine months, but only if you’re extraordinarily motivated and dedicated.

The upside is starting in a position that involves a little less grunt work and a lot more autonomy than being a CNA. The pay and benefits are significantly better, and the opportunities for moving into a specialization (which pay even more) are abundant.

Starting At The Top

Of course, you could go for the full 4-6 year nursing school experience and start working as a Registered Nurse right at the get-go. There’s a lot of demand for RNs in the US, and they command some surprising salaries. Of course, they also owe quite a bit of school debt for that nursing education, so a significant portion of those funds are going to pay back those loans.

On the plus side, an RN is a leader in her workplace. Only an RN has any significant potential to move up to administration and take a command position, but even those that don’t generally end up in specialist slots that draw in a very decent salary.

In the end, there are significant benefits and drawbacks to each plan — and none of them is ‘right’. You can start with in-house nursing programs or go to six years of nursing school; in the end, there are good reasons to do either. Figure out which one works with your priorities, and once you choose a plan, commit to it. That’s the best way to start a career in nursing!

 

 

Nursing Education , , ,

Registered Nurse Requirements: Education Is the Key

The registered nurse field is constantly growing, with thousands of jobs added each and every year. There are specific requirements that each individual must meet in order to become a nurse and practice as a registered nurse. These requirements will change based on state location and based on the types of jobs that future nurses wish to hold.

The first requirement that you must meet to become a registered nurse revolves around education. While most people who get into the field will start with an associates degree, those who wish to become registered nurses must complete their bachelors program. This program generally takes four years and is going to prepare students for the tests they face as they work to become registered. Courses that students are expected to take will include basic science courses, such as microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology. Students will also be required to take nursing-directed course and will also learn various aspects of nutrition and psychology. Students must attend an accredited college to finish their requirements to become a registered nurse – these are some of the courses that are required by that accreditation.

Students must then work to pass the NCLEX-RN. This is the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses and is required by each and every state in the United States. Beyond this exam, students must go through clinical hours as dictated by their individual state’s requirements for registered nurses. Students will find that they are going to need to find hands-on apprenticeships in various healthcare situations to meet these requirements.

If you would like to specialize in a specific field you may be required to become credentialed in the field. While it is not mandatory, most employers will not hire individuals who do not hold special credentials. The fields you may credential in include ambulatory nursing, pediatric nursing, and gerontology nursing. Look for credentialing courses and programs that are accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLN) or the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC).

If you plan on working toward an advanced care position you will need to take more classes and work to receiver your master’s degree. Advanced practice nurses can hold a lot of different positions that include nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists. These positions are often allowed to prescribe medicine and perform more active physical care than average nurses. There are specific licensure tests that must be taken, which will vary based on the state you live in.

There are plenty of registered nurse requirements, and for good reason. Nurses are often relied on to administer care to patients and must be knowledgeable in their actions. There are plenty of jobs for those who meet these requirements, with the sector expected to grow by over 500,000 jobs over the next ten years. While it may take you more than four years to receive the education and pass the training requirements necessary to become a registered nurse, you can know that there will be job openings waiting for you upon completion.

Nursing Education , , ,
Page 1 of 712345...Last »