This page gives you all the information you need for preparation for your online interview for PGDip Nursing (all fields). Please read all of the sections carefully.
Welcome:
Congratulations on receiving your interview invite and reaching the next stage of the selection process. We are looking forward to supporting you through the next steps of your journey at Edge Hill University.
Please read ALL the sections below carefully BEFORE accepting and attending your interview.
Top tip:
“After reading through my interview guidance I felt better prepared and on the day the staff were really good at putting my nerves at ease.”
(MNSW Children’s Nursing and Social Work student)
Important information:
Our selection process is designed to be supportive so that we can identify potential students who demonstrate the values and beliefs that align with the regulatory body associated with this programme of study – the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC).
- All interviews are conducted remotely using Microsoft Teams. If you do not already have Microsoft Teams, you can download this online. Download from the App Store here or Download from Google Play here.
- You need to confirm that you will attend your interview via our Interview Reply Form.
- You will also receive an separate Teams invite 2 weeks before your interview date – this will contain your individual interview time slot and joining link.
- If you do not receive this, please contact [email protected]
- You MUST indicate that you accept or decline your Teams interview invite immediately upon receipt – this allows the academic interviewer to organise their workload.
- We recommend using a compatible device such as a PC or Laptop for your interview rather than a mobile phone.
- Before your interview, please check the settings on your device and ensure both the microphone and camera facilities are working.
- You will need to have a reliable and stable internet connection to prevent unnecessary IT anxiety on the day of interview.
The interview process:
Before you access your online interview it is important that you:
- research and think about the second field of nursing you have applied for, what transferable experiences and skills do you have and what is your motivation is for undertaking this programme of study.
- can demonstrate evidence that those experiences and skills have been gained while working as a registrant in the intended second field of nursing.
- consider the amount of studying that will be involved in the programme you have applied for, being mindful that as this is level 7, it is predominantly self-directed online study, with a short series of face-to-face sessions taking place across the 12 months (full time).
- consider what support you might need to manage the transition to studying and writing at level 7.
- considered any potential challenges you may face transitioning back into the role of a student nurse in practice.
- read all the information on these preparation pages and made a note of the items you need to have with you and any questions that you want to ask at the end of your online interview.
On the day of your online interview:
- You should allow up to 45 minutes for your online interview.
- Whilst your online interview is taking place, please ensure that you have no one else present in the room with you – this will allow you to focus fully on the online interview without distraction.
- Please aim to log onto your device approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your online interview and be ready to join the meeting by clicking the ‘join now’ button approximately 5 minutes before.
- Your online interview will take place with a member of the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine (FoHSCM) Academic Staff and in some instances the interview panel will consist of a service user or carer or a representative from practice.
Top tip from the selection panel:
“We recommend that you create a distraction free environment and we find that applicants who are dressed in professional attire are in a better headspace for their online interview.” – Tracey Barnes (Faculty Recruitment, Selection and Marketing Operational lead)
What we’re looking for:
The programme you have applied for is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The NMC set out clear standards of proficiency for those wishing to complete a programme leading to application to join this register.
Thus, you will be given the opportunity at interview to demonstrate that you have the right motivation, enthusiasm and resilience needed to undertake a validated programme of study and to be successful in a very demanding profession.
You must show that you understand and can give examples of the core NHS values including respect and dignity, compassion, commitment to quality care, improving lives, working together for patients and that everyone counts.
The interviewer will ask 5 main questions (including several sub-probing questions) that seek to explore:
- Personal, intellectual and presentational qualities suitable for the profession you have applied for.
- Values and beliefs aligned to the NHS constitution.
- Teamworking.
- Respect.
- Dignity.
- Compassion.
- Professionalism.
- Resilience.
- Motivation to succeed.
- Commitment to study through engagement with education and self-directed/independent study as well as attendance in the clinical learning environment.
Additional information:
- Professional Awareness: The interviewer will be looking for some professional awareness and commitment to a future career. You should have a good understanding of the knowledge, concept and skills of the subject area and the capacity to articulate your understanding. Previous experience of health or social care is desirable but not essential. If you have future work experience planned, you can mention this within your interview.
- Academic Awareness: The interviewer will be looking for some academic awareness and commitment to study at degree/master’s level. Success on this programme depends on you being able to commit to the academic and professional challenges required and for this reason you should be able to clearly demonstrate an understanding of the academic rigours of this course and how you will, for example, ensure that competing priorities are managed effectively.
- Honesty and Integrity: The interviewer will be looking for assurances that all applicants show honesty and integrity in keeping with the requirements of the Professional Record Standards Body (PRSB). Thus, all successful applicants need to provide evidence that those who are entering into their chosen profession meet the appropriate PRSB requirements for safe and effective practice. Therefore, all successful applicants will be asked to declare that they are of ‘good health and good character’. This will be obtained via completion of relevant DBS checks and satisfactory Occupational Health clearance to the programme induction period.
- Practice Learning Travel: Travel arrangements to and from practice experiences/placements, are the sole responsibility of the student. We aim to allocate practice experiences/placements located and accessible within a reasonable timeframe which, under normal travel conditions, may require a journey of up to 2 hours each way from your base of study. Consideration must be made to work shift patterns.
- Previous Study: Disclosure of previous study on a professional programme or registration with a professional regulatory body At every interview all applicants will be asked whether they have previously commenced study on a health or social care professional programme or been subject to withdrawal from that programme for any reason. And if they have previously been registered with a health and social care regulatory body such as the NMC, HCPC or other.
Post Interview:
You should receive communication from the Health Admissions Team within 10 working days from the date of your interview. Please note that the interview forms part of the selection process and the final decision rests with the health admissions team, this decision is final, and appeals can only be made against the failure to follow due process. You will also receive an evaluation form to complete as we welcome your comments and feedback to improve the interview experience.
Resources:
We highly recommend that you access the following essential online resources to support your interview preparation.
NHS Careers – https://nhscareersnw.co.uk/
The Nursing & Midwifery Council – https://www.nmc.org.uk
Health & Care Professions Council – https://www.hcpc-uk.org/
NHS England – https://www.england.nhs.uk
NHS Professionals – https://www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk
Health Careers – https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk
Social Work England – https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/
Gov.uk – https://www.gov.uk/