student nurse posing for portrait

Preparing Students for Nursing and Midwifery interviews

In January, we held our annual Ace Your Application event to support students with their applications, from personal statements to auditions to nursing and midwifery interviews. The range of online workshops allowed students to speak with academics, learn more about university courses and build confidence for applying to universities.

If your students missed the event, or you would like to learn more about preparing for nursing and midwifery interviews, have a look at our top tips for preparing students for interviews. It is also important to remind students that when they are invited for interview, they will need to read through all the material sent to them in the invitation email. There may also be a task for students to complete before the interview, which will be communicated in advance.

Our top tips for Nursing and Midwifery Interviews

1. Research

One of the key factors being assessed in the interview is how much students know about the course they are applying for. This means knowing the difference between Midwifery and Child, Adult and Mental Health and being able to explain why they have chosen a particular course. It is also important to revise what the responsibilities of a nurse or midwife are. This will help students consider how their current skills and experiences will transfer to the role of a nurse.  The more students know about the profession, the more prepared they will be for questions and the more confident they will feel during the interview.

2. Motivation

Interviewers are looking for a clear, informed interest in nursing or midwifery. ‘Why do you want to be a nurse/midwife’ may be the first question that students are asked. This answer may be different for every student, however this answer needs to be specific to the subject, rather than a more general answer that does not reflect an understanding of the role of a nurse or midwife. We would also recommend students look over their personal statements as the interview may build on the points introduced in the personal statement.

3. Transferable Skills

Students will need to be familiar with the key skills needed to be a nurse or midwife, and how their existing experience has prepared them for the roles. These skills can be developed not only through work experience, but also through other experiences such as participating in hobbies, taking on leadership responsibilities, part-time work and extra-curricular activities. It is helpful to prepare clear examples that show how these skills have been developed and how these will transfer to their future studies and placement.

4. Prepare a Question

At the end of the interview, students may be asked if they have questions for the interviewer. Having a question prepared not only allows students to found out more about their course, but also shows a clear interest in the course. It is best to ask a question that is not easily found on the website but instead is something the student is particularly interested in.

What support can we offer your students for nursing interviews?