4 Responses to “I am going for a nursing school interview last time I didn't get in?”

1. happy heathen Says:
   December 12th, 2010 at 12:36 am

   I can’t answer the part of your question about how to dress appropriately, as I am not in the medical field. However, I CAN answer the parts about what to say when asked about your strengths and weaknesses, as I have been an interviewer and interviewee many times over in my professional life.

   For strengths – Things like being on time and being organized are EXPECTED of you, in any job, so, using these things as "strengths" would not impress me. Given your chosen field, I would stress things like: your devotion and commitment to helping people in need, your ability to be observant, your attention to detail, your compassion, your willingness to learn and be a team player, and your desire to make a difference.

   For weakness – to use "love and my family" may be the truth, but, to an interviewer, that might sound like you will not be able to put your job first, which is what they expect of you, so, don’t bring anything personal into it. The one answer that I have used that always seems to impress interviewers is, "I am way too hard on myself". They like this answer because they choose to interpret it to mean, "Here’s someone who will work like a dog for us". You might also say something like, "I don’t always remember that not everyone can multi-task as well as I do". The trick to answering this dicey question is to use your words carefully, to make it seem to the interviewer that what YOU perceive as a personal "weakness" is in actuality something that THEY can take advantage of. By choosing your words carefully, you can flip a perceived deficit into an asset.

   I would call the nearest hospital and ask to speak to the Charge Nurse for advice on what to wear to the interview. Best of luck to you, sweetie. You sound like someone who is on her way to having a successful career!

2. Smilin' Fred Says:
   December 12th, 2010 at 12:36 am

   Be professional and you should do well.

3. jennifer m Says:
   December 12th, 2010 at 12:36 am

   i didn’t realize you had to interview for nursing school. Maybe this time you should have more references. More that pertain to the nursing field. Ask you current boss for a reference ( that is if you are still a medical asst.). That may help to show that you are really interested in that field and that it will be something you would most likely stick to.

4. nursechic Says:
   December 12th, 2010 at 12:36 am

   Dress professionally. A dress is fine as long as it’s not too flamboyant. Your strengths are good but your weakness aren’t what they are looking for. Your love and family have nothing to do with how you will perform in school or on the job.
   You need to think a little deeper and be very real with yourself about your weakness. Unless your weakness is that your a klepto or something like that it’s not going to keep you from getting accepted.
   Have good posture, make eye contact, speak with confidence and maturity.

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