This page gives you all the information you need for preparation for your online interview for BSc (Hons) Nursing (all fields). It is essential that you 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).
The interview process:
- All interviews are conducted remotely using Microsoft Teams. We strongly encourage you to use the App version to ensure you have access to all its functions. You can download this from the App Store here or from Google Play here.
- You’ll need to confirm that you’ll attend your interview via UCAS Hub.
- You will also receive a 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 day:
- The majority of interviews are conducted on a one-to-one basis with a member of the faculty academic team, usually aligned to your programme of study.
- Some interviews involve a service user/carer or a practice partner – if this is the case they will be introduced to you on the day.
- You should allow up to 45 minutes for your interview.
- Please aim to log onto your device approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your interview and be ready to join the meeting by clicking the ‘join now’ button approximately 5 minutes before.
- The interviewer will start the interview by confirming your identity so you MUST have some original photographic ID with you (this could be a current valid passport or photo-card driving licence). If you do not have a suitable ID on the day, you may not be able to take part in the interview, and you will need to have your interview rescheduled for an alternative date.
- The interviewer will then seek confirmation that you have watched the relevant service user/carer video this is essential as this forms part of the interview questions. If you have not accessed and watched the video prior to your interview your interview will need to be rescheduled.
- All applicants will be asked several administrative questions these include a series of Disclosure statements:
- ‘Can you tell us if you have additional learning requirements that might impact on your ability to study or affect your ability to complete any practical elements of the course or attend practice experiences/placements’. *
- ‘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’.
- ‘Have you previously commenced study on a health or social care degree level professional programme’, if ‘yes’ – have you been subject to withdrawal from a professional programme for any reason? This does not include access to health and social care courses.
- ‘Have you previously been registered with a health or social care regulatory body i.e., the NMC, HCPC or other?’
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 are 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/