Need Advice for Nursing Interview

jessica1

Passed written test for nursing. Would love some good advice from anyone who attended interview last year. All this waiting is nightmare

Jessica

sdonal

i also have the interview next week, just trying to write up answers for the 6 areas....... its quite difficult to try and write a suitable answer........... have you done the application form ? if so ,then all you can do is keep reading it and know answers well......

dollfacex

Wow thank god im not the only one... So hard trying to write out 6 reasons... Like wats right??? Have my interview tomorrow!!! Did any of u go yet???

paperclip2

One of the best things you can do in the nursing interview is to listen very carefully to what is being asked and then answer that specific question in a concise manner. You only have 25 mins afaik and many people go off topic in their answers which can count against them.

Know your scenarios very well, relate them to the core competencies, skills and attributes required for nursing and be able to reference these in your responses. If you havent seen them already there are some very good 'day in the life' stories on the Board Altranais website on all aspects of nursing., e.g. general nurse http://www.nursingboard.ie/en/day_life-general_nurse.aspx

These can be useful to give you an idea of the qualities a nurse needs that you can relate to in your scenarios.

Best of luck.


Edit: I have an example sheet of responses based on last years questionnaire if anyone wants to PM me.

dollfacex

Hiya... Yep if you could send me notes that be great!!! Thanks a million!

baba09

hi guys, it's nice to hear other people are biting their nails over this interview! could i get someone to send me the past notes aswel, thanks a million and best of luck to everyone with your interviews......:o

sdonal

yea i had my interview this morning..... went ok, but yes very fast and maybe i babbled in the wrong direction to what was been asked.... its farely quick so no time for waffling on about non relevant stuff.....

its hard to tell, the interviewers were nice, but who knows what they say once you close that door behind you :-)

well will find out in few weeks, out of my hands now.....what college are you trying to get into ? think im going for trinity, anyone the same ?

trio

Am bashing out the 6 skills in "Arial Narrow, Font 11" as we speak. I'd rather a bigger font to make what I've done fill up the pages a bit more!!!

Interview tomorrow morning. Pooing it entirely. Am normally good in job interviews but this is a whole different ball game.

I've been realising that with 6 skills to go through, that's not even 5 mins to talk about each one! God it's going to whizz by! Scary!

Just want to get the bloody thing over with now....

estreet girl

Hi,I had my interview today as well.Not quite sure how it went:eek:! Just one thing for anyone still to go,have other examples besides the ones you have written down which can throw you! The interviewers were very nice.I was in room 8.
I'm glad it's all over,now all we have to do is sit back and wait:)
Good luck to you all

trio

I had mine this morning, and came out shaking!

It went fine till the last five minutes when she asked me to describe the course!

I had NOTHING prepared and went completely blank. She had to prompt me!

So I think I'm a goner. Shame as I actually have tons of care experience but I think I underestimated how much they were going to ask about the "studenty" part of it.

But there are so few Mature places that part of me wonders why I bothered. Apparently only 5 in Sligo this year for example, as a girl was saying to me this morning.

hotredhead

Don't be so hard on yourself Trio,you have lots of experience in your favour.These interviewers will know we would have all been a bag of nerves.I stumbled a lot as well.All any of us can do now is play the waiting game.I think the places for midwifery are pretty thin on the ground but there should be a fair few for the other courses.You've done it now,hopefully it will work out for you:):)

hotredhead

Got my letter in the post today...and I passed!!!
Now all I have to do is hope I get an offer:eek::eek:
Places are extremely low this year with only 129 for General,90 for ID and 96 for Psych according to my figures.Not sure about Midwifery.
Can anyone clarify this?

estreet girl

Hi,I got my letter yesterday saying I had passed.Looks like I'll be biting my nails for the next few weeks.Can't seem to understand the breakdown of places for mature students for the different colleges though.
When are the offers made does anybody know?
Best of luck to you all.:)

trio

Yeah I passed too.

I think the letter said the offers are July 3rd.

Seems to be about a 1 in 7 chance of getting a place, so I'm not too optimistic.

BUT at least I didn't mess it up - it's up to the CAO now and my attitude is, I've done all I could.

SandraD77

Hey what and where did you guys apply for! I passed my interview and am now hoping to get into TCD Childrens & General! But will be some big competition! Roll on the 4th of July!

carla30

i just got my letter today to say i passed the interview so that is good news and congrats to everyone that did:D the offers are posted by the cao on friday 3rd july and are on the cao website from 6am on 4th july. another round of offers are posted on 30th july to. Where have yous applied to? what did ye think of the aptitude test and the interviews?

SandraD77

Hey Carla30,

Applied a few different places, but TCD top choice! Didn't think i'd done well in apptitude test, so was shocked when I got some decent points! Interviews, like any interview for civil service, interviewers give no indication good, bad or indifferent, so was very hard to gauge whether i'd pass or not! But I did *happy days*... so now it's just a waiting game eh! Where and what did you apply for?

carla30

hey sandra i applied to both sligo and athlone. I keep checking the internet every day in case the results are out a bit earlier cos the interview results were, but i think its just wishful thinking!!:rolleyes::p i dont think that i will get offered a place as i think my score is not enough:mad:. how about you?

carla30

i forgot to say that my score was 166 and thats why i dont think it enough. cant believe the highest score was 215. wow thats some score!!

SandraD77

Hiya C!

I got 179pts and like you I'm checking all the time, but the CAO are pretty rigid with dates for stuff, so if they say the 4th, it won't be before that

Last year I woulda had NO problems getting Childrens & Gen, but this year I reckon i'll be relying on getting just General... and can't even count on that! With top score of 215 (16 more than last year) and less places available, it means that the points will be pretty steep this year!

What course are you hoping to get? General??? 166 is a great score and any other year you woulda walked in, it's such a shame that this year has so many applying for so few places! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! I really hope you get offered a place!!! Let me know how you get on!

S

Neils7

I only got 148 points, I'm hoping for Psychiatric Nursing in Trinity... fingers crossed...

SandraD77

Hi Neils,

I would imagine that 148 would be enough to get your Psych in TCD! Historically the highest it's ever gotten to (in TCD anyways) is 142, and I imagine it may be about that, maybe a point or 2 higher, again this year! Couldn't see it going beyond that! So i'll have my fingers crossed for you!

S

Neils7

Hi SandraD77

I am hoping to attend TCD, so that makes me feel a little better...

Well I have my fingers crossed for everyone, good luck all, only a day and a half left...

Neil

trio

Carla, I got 166 too, snap!

I'm applying for NUIG though. Not sure if it'll be enough.

I got a letter this morning and almost got a heart attack thinking it was the offers, but it was just the stupid summary of points letter! I almost dropped opening it. Now I have to go through that all again next week!

estreet girl

I got that letter too and had the same reaction!! Just had a look at the Cao site,would I be correct in assuming that the offers(if any:eek::))will be online from 6am in the morning??
Good luck to you all with your choices.

SandraD77

Hey estreet!

Yep offers available from 6am tomorrow on cao.ie! Just checked there a moment ago and the site has changed in preparation for offers... there's now an offers tab, but nothing going to be posted until tomorrow morning! Starting to feel sick! *lol* Seriously need it to be tomorrow now!!!

estreet girl

I know that feeling!! Best of luck to you
Don't forget to set your alarm:)

Only 12 hours 38 mins:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Neils7

Hi All

I got Offered Psychiartic Nursing in Trinity College and have already accepted it...

Now maybe I can get some sleep...

Hope you all got what you wanted!! And best of luck with your prospective degrees!!

Neil

carla30

Congrats Neil and well done to you!!:D Best of luck!!you must be delighted:) I wasnt offered a place this morning, but i kinda thought that would be the case as the competition was very high this year. How did everyone else get on? Did ye all get what ye wanted? I hope so. xxx:D:D

estreet girl

Oh my God,I got my first choice of midwifery in Trinity.
I can not believe I got that on 169 points,I am in genuine shock:eek:

Carla,I am surprised you did not get an offer on those points.Is the competition really high where you are?
You may find you will still get an offer in the next round at the end of July.
Ireally hope you do.Best of luck.

estreet girl

Congrats Neils7:) You must be thrilled!

carla30

Hey congrats estreet girl!:Dwell done to you! you must been delighted!once you got over the initial shock!!:p:p im not sure what the competition is like around here. I only applied to both sligo and athlone for general nursing. The points must have been very high though. What is the story with the next round offers? How does that work then? Is that if those who have been offered a place dont accept their offer?or how does that work?

estreet girl

Thanks Carla,I am physically sick at the thought of how I am gonna afford it to be honest,but thrilled at the same time if that is possible:)
I am not entirely sure how the next round works but there will be those that do not accept as well as those who will defer places till next year.
I also got an offer of a 3 year degree programme in Blanch IT doing Community and Social Development and would almost be tempted as it would be a much easier course and not as strict timewise,meaning I could continue to work but I always wanted to do midwifery.
I have not accepted yet because I need to work out how I can afford to study for 4 years.But I will hit that button:eek:as soon as I have thought it through.
So like I said there will be those that defer and those that decline or accept other courses.Maybe some one else will have more info.
I truly hope you get a place as it is a wonderful career to have.I am working as a Hca in a general hospital at the minute and love it.

misschatty

Hi
I applied for gen nursing in quite a few places got 153 so kinda had feelin wudnt get a place. Have everything crossed in case i get sumthing on 31st. Just wondered wot r d chances of being offered a place next time around any view?
If dont get place was thinkin bout doing a pre- nursing course and apply thru fetac?

Azphyxi8

My gf didn't get an offer this morning. Are the offers all down to points or is the interview taken into account also?

misschatty

i think it is just down to wot you get in app test they r d points that count so better u do the higher your score. Interview is either a pass or fail and so if u fail u r out.
it can be down to luck of d draw to in a way and with places been reduced this year was always gonna be harder to get in. All you can do is start all over again in Jan 10, as i will be doing!!!

carla30

It all seems to have been down to the points that we got in the aptitude test alright. Its quite disappointing:( but maybe we will just look forward to the next offers out on the 31st July? Its the waiting that really gets to me though!:o does anyone know if the offers that were given out today are to completely fill all places available or do they hold some back? For example, if Athlone had 35 places on offer would the have filled all 35 today? Because when you go into the CAO website and view offers it says that in early July{which is todays} "a small number of offers of places may be issued to applicants such as mature students"?? Or am i just wishful thinking!!:p:p And also i wonder what are the chances of getting a offer in the next rounds????

carla30

Misschatty!! you may still get an offer of a place at the end of this month;) but if you dont, would you try again for it next year?

trio

Hi everyone, I didn't get into NUIG. I had 166 points and last year it was 167 so I knew I probably wouldn't. But I won't lie - I'm a bit gutted.

I doubt I'll apply next year - I honestly couldn't have done better on the apt. test so doubt I'd get much higher next year, and it was all very stressful.

Not sure what I'll do with myself now, but heartiest congrats to all those who got in!

misschatty

hi carla30 yes i will apply again if doont get in this year am also considering doing a pre nursing course and applyin thru fetac next year as well. i want this too much to quit now.
Is very dishearting not to get a place today but had a feeling i wouldnt get offer wit d points been so high and place cuts n all.
like u just wish i knew how u stand in regards to next round will the places that are offered only be of those people who defer or dont except their offer?
Would be greatfull if anyone knew anything bout it?:):confused

SandraD77

Hey folks, I got Childrens & Gen in TCD - THRILLED! Like you estreet girl I'm worried about being able to afford it... 4.5 yrs is a long time to be broke! But it'll be well worth it!!!

Does anyone know if and when they'll publish the points requirements for all the courses???

SandraD77

trio wrote: »

Hi everyone, I didn't get into NUIG. I had 166 points and last year it was 167 so I knew I probably wouldn't. But I won't lie - I'm a bit gutted.

I doubt I'll apply next year - I honestly couldn't have done better on the apt. test so doubt I'd get much higher next year, and it was all very stressful.

Not sure what I'll do with myself now, but heartiest congrats to all those who got in!

TRIO... You're not out of the race yet! Don't give up hope, you may well get offered a place at the end of July! So keep the faith and i'll keep my fingers crossed for you! Obviously it would help you if the damn CAO would publish the points cut off for the first round of offers, so you knew whether you stood a chance or not! But I really hope you get something in round 2!

estreet girl

I accepted last night:eek::eek:
May never get the chance again!!!!!
To hell with the bills:D:)
I have always wanted this,and to do something I will love.
Tough times ahead,we will have to tighten our belts in this house:):)
Beans and toast all the way:P

SandraD77

estreet girl wrote: »

I accepted last night:eek::eek:
May never get the chance again!!!!!
To hell with the bills:D:)
I have always wanted this,and to do something I will love.
Tough times ahead,we will have to tighten our belts in this house:):)
Beans and toast all the way:P

Way to go estreet G! You're right to have accepted... we'll all be struggling to keep our heads above water, but if it's something you're passionate about then you've got to go for it! You'd always regret it if you turned it down!!!

Roll on September!!! YIPEE!

lol1

Hi

Just wondering about the places for nursing this year. I didn't get any offers on sat for the early round of offers. Really hope that I'll get it in round zero. I got 158 in the written test. Im just wondering did others get places in the upper middle group and get offers already?

lor1975

hi, i applied for midwifery and general in ul and did'nt get an offer, i had 167 points, did anyone get a place there and how many points had ye?

Neils7

Thanks estreet girl, I am delighted, I can't wait to get started!! I'd say you're excited too, I'll see you around Trinity then...?

Thanks Carla30, I'm sure you'll be offered something in the next round!!

To lol1, I got 148 points and was offered Psychiatric Nursing in TCD, what couses have you applied for??

lol1

I applied as a Mature and FETAC student to gen, midwifery and I.D nursing in UL and also to Cork and Galway. I havent heard of anybody really getting offered UL yet?

lol1

Miss Chatty

You should definately try and do a Pre Nursing Course. I did one last year and it was excellent. It gives you a chance to get practical experience too. This year I have applied as a mature student and also through my FETAC course. The places through FETAC are few and far between and I heard that there may be further cuts through this route. It is still worth a try though as you never know what will happen at the end of the day. The Pre Nursing course modules usually include Sociology, Anatomy, Care of the special child and nursing, at least these are some of the modules I did.

SandraD77

lol1 wrote: »

I applied as a Mature and FETAC student to gen, midwifery and I.D nursing in UL and also to Cork and Galway. I havent heard of anybody really getting offered UL yet?

Hi lol1, am surprised you didn't get offered ID, I would be very surprised if it went way up! Last year in UL it was 127pts, and you got 158, so would be unusual to jump that much! Maybe contact CAO!

lol1

SandraD

Yeah I think I will do that now, I mean another thing is I havent even got my letter from CAO in the post yet. I thought they would be sending them out regardless of getting an offer or not. Another post said that overall in UL there was only 6-7 places for general mature students this year :eek: Im staying hopeful though as what else can you do. What did you apply to?