2024 Nursing Training Interview Questions & Answers

As part of the 2024 Nursing training admission process, Interviews Sections are organized for applicants to access them for various reasons. Unfortunately, nursing training applicants tend to panic when they hear “interviews”. For this reason, Tertiary Ghana has come out with 40+ likely nurses training interview questions to serve as a guide for the applicant.

2024 Nursing training interview questions

Here are some FAQ in nurses training interviews

1. Tell us about yourself
2. Tell us what you know about nursing
3. Tell us why you want to school here
4. Describe to us how you perform under pressure
5. Discuss your biggest strengths and weaknesses
6. Are you a team player?
7. What motivates you to be a nurse?
8. Recall a difficult situation and describe how you handled it.
9. Tell us why we should admit you.
10. Do you have any questions for us?
11. How is your SHS course related to Nursing?
12. Do you have any know allergies?
13. Describe the first three things you saw when you got to the nurses training campus
14. Who is the current minister of health?
15. What makes you go for nursing?
16. Why did you choose to be a nurse?
17. Why did you choose our college?
18. What are your core values?
19. Can you name some of the qualities that would benefit you as a nurse?
20. What do you consider the most challenging aspect of nursing?
21. Nursing studies are hard and time-demanding, how do you combine it with social life?

2024 Nursing training interview questions and answers

The following paragraphs will explain some of the nursing training interview questions to expect, the logic behind them and how to answer such questions easily.

Please take note that these are only some of the questions to expect. These questions are sampled from students who are currently in the nursing training college. Some of who went through our coaching came out successfully and are now students in some of the nursing training colleges in the country whiles some are currently practicing on the field.

Do take note that the nursing training interview is in two sections.

1. You will write an objective test paper of 100 multiple-choice questions. These questions will be from English, Maths, and Science.
2. You will face a panel for a face-to-face interview.

Tell us about yourself
The interviewer here is not wanting to hear about your life story or

“Tell me about yourself ” is likely the most common “question” interviewees face. It is quite cloudy. This open-ended question can be taken in any number of different directions, and the interviewer wants to see what comes to your mind when prompted with such a vague request. Everyone’s answer to this question will be completely unique, based on their own experiences, values, and priorities. However, there is a good rule of thumb to keep in mind:

It’s not a list, it’s a story.

You may be tempted to simply recite your CV or information from your application. Do NOT do this! It is, of course, absolutely fine to discuss things you have mentioned in your application, but you must avoid a dry recitation of your activities, scores, presentations, etc. The interviewer will already have access to this information if it is an open interview. Even if it is a closed interview, where the interviewer won’t have access to that specific information, you still should not simply run down a list of factoids or trivia about yourself. You need to take this opportunity to let your best qualities shine through by telling the story of who you are!

To compose an expert answer that is sincere, reflective, and that highlights your best qualities, you need to craft a compelling narrative, using anecdotes organized around 2-3 events, qualities, values, competencies, or priorities that you think best represent who you are at your core (and, of course, one event/story can embody multiple qualities at once – a time when you acted with compassion may also be a time that you did so in a leadership position where you engaged in conflict resolution, while maintaining the integrity of your position). In general, people love stories, and offering an answer that allows your interviewer to “see” you as a leader, educator, collaborator, compassionate caregiver, etc., will do much more for the impact of your answer than a loose string of events, benchmarks, or scores.

Tell us why you want to be a nurse

There are a number of reasons why I want to become a nurse, but chief among them is the importance of the nurse as a front-line representative of the healthcare system. In many healthcare facilities, from clinics to emergency rooms, nurses are the first medical professionals patients encounter. Whether for routine care or on the worst day of their lives, nurses have the opportunity to ascertain how to coordinate resources in the patient’s best interest. As well, nurses play a key role as patient advocates, both in terms of ensuring each patient’s needs are effectively prioritized within the healthcare system, and by acting as representatives in the community, running CPR and first-aid courses, holding vaccination clinics, or in working for key healthcare organizations, like the Red Cross.

Though I’m still at the beginning of this journey, I’ve seen that nurses often have a unique opportunity to foster relationships with patients – frequently having both more and more frequent opportunities to connect with those in their care than physicians. Nurses also have a unique role in any medical team, acting as the core support for all other members. The opportunities for compassionate and active support of others – of patients and other medical professionals – and to do so on the front-line of medical care is what draws me to this profession, in particular.

Tell us what you know about nursing

You will stand out to the interviewer as a candidate who truly has a passion for the specific nursing program you are applying for if you know more about it than the average person. If your dream is to work as a nurse in a well-baby nursery, you’d better be knowledgeable about the area in which you envision yourself working. Try to find out more about the duties of the specific nursing specialties you are being interviewed for. Talk to nurses already in that field and also do some reading about the field before the nursing interview.

Tell us why you want to school here

Your reasons for wanting to school at that institution should be positive. Also, make a connection between your career goals and how they can be achieved at their institution. Make sure you have the mission and the vision of the institution at your fingertips and align it with your dreams and aspirations.
Describe to us how you perform under pressure
The settings in which nurses work can quickly turn into pressure-cooker environments. To be blunt, the interviewer does not want to hire or admit anyone who is so emotionally fragile that they’ll shatter like plate glass when faced with the day-to-day pressures of the nursing job.
Discuss your biggest strengths and weaknesses
The interviewer wants to hear about strengths that would be assets in the workplace. Since we all have weaknesses, the person conducting the interview will know you’re a liar if you deny having any. Make sure you talk about some of your weaknesses but make sure your strengths are strong enough to cover them up.

Can you name some of the qualities that would benefit you as a nurse?

Over here, What you say does not necessarily have to reflect in your interview presence—they understand that you experience stress, and cannot show them all your best cards. But you should believe that you have what it takes to become a great nurse—one day…On the other hand, humility can make wonders in the interviews. People in the interviewing committee prefer to choose humble students, people who are aware of their imperfections, people who believe that there is always room for improvement and that learning never stops..

Are you a team player?

Healthcare facilities prefer to hire people who work well with others, have good social and communication skills, get along well with patients and visitors, and can pull together as a team for the sake of patient care. No member of the penal will admit you if you are not a team player or can’t go along well with others.

What motivates you to be a nurse?
Companies and institutions training nurses prefer to hire or admit healthcare workers who are motivated by intangible ideals, not concrete realities such as money. Even if cash is your ultimate motivation, do not elaborate on your need for money. Tell them how you always love to care for the sick and probably give them real examples of how you took care of a sick person.

Do you have any role model in life?

You can go with some famous nurse, such as Clara Barton, or Edith Cavell. You can also opt for one of the charity figures, such as Mother Teresa. Another alternative is to pick someone who’s close to you, someone who works in healthcare and does a good job every day (your father, your uncle, a good friend of you, etc).

Recall a difficult situation and describe how you handled it.

If you have healthcare experience or have even been part of a red cross or any health union, this is the time to show it off. They want to know how you have dealt with angry doctors, emotionally upset families, or difficult patients. If you lack healthcare experience, you can discuss a difficult situation that occurred in school or somewhere and how you handled it.

Tell us why we should admit you.

This is the last time to truly sell yourself to the interviewer. Emphasize on your positive attributes, reaffirm that you are a team player, and tell them why you are the best candidate on the applicants list.
Do you have any questions for us?

Usually, this is the last question you will be asked in an interview. The interviewer at this point will like to know your courage level. You can ask the interviewer a question or two, whether it pertains to nurse/patient ratios, length of orientation, or educational opportunities. You might appear uninterested if you have no questions. Just make sure you ask a question.

2024 Nursing Training College Interview Requirements

Applicants are expected to carry the under-listed items to their interview venue on the day of the interview. As such, it’s important to get these items available in advance.

Proof of Application. Applicants must make sure they download and print out their proof of application and carry it to the nursing training interview. This will show that you truly applied to the said nursing training institution.
Photocopy of result slip. The applicant must carry along the photocopy of the results slip used in the application. In the event that an applicant combined two different results, the two must be carried along.
Passport Pictures. Each applicant must carry along two passport size pictures per result used. If an applicant combined two results in the application, the said applicant must carry four passport photos. Two for each result slip.
Proof of Interview Invite. This may sound weird but you have to show proof that you have actually received a text message inviting you to the interview. Carry along with the mobile phone that the text was sent to and show the message on request.
Birth Certificate. All applicants are expected to come along with their birth certificates. Most nurses training colleges will however give you the chance to provide it within 30 days upon getting admission if you do not have it immediately.
Interview Fee. Last but not least, applicants would be expected to pay an interview fee upon arrival. The interview fee is expected to be GHS 100 as has been the norm over the years unless there are any recent changes. The nurses training college will, however, communicate the exact amount in the text message to the applicant.

How to prepare for a nursing school interview

• How can I introduce myself during the interview?
• A Quick Guide to Introducing Yourself in an Interview
• Start by researching the company and your interviewers.
• Dress appropriately for the interview.
• Avoid distractions and keep eye contact.
• Be confident and comfortable.
• Be aware of body language.
• Prepare what to say.
• Rehearse our introduction with a friend.
• How should I wear my hair to a nursing interview?
• Keeping your hair as simple as possible is ideal for a nursing interview. For example, you could wear your hair up in a neat ponytail if you have longer hair, or if you have shorter hair you could wear it down but styled neatly. Avoid wearing fancy or large hair clips or other hair accessories.
• However, this sort of information is just as critical in assessing a potential employee’s “fit” as their skill set. In short, I make it a key objective to delve into this very subject.

How should I wear my hair to a nursing interview?

Keeping your hair as simple as possible is ideal for a nursing interview. For example, you could wear your hair up in a neat ponytail if you have longer hair, or if you have
shorter hair you could wear it down but styled neatly. Avoid wearing fancy or large hair clips or other hair accessories.
However, this sort of information is just as critical in assessing a potential employee’s “fit” as their skill set. In short, I make it a key objective to delve into this very subject.

Dressing for Nursing training interview

Dress as if you were going to a business interview. This would include:
• Solid color, conservative suit (black, blue)
• Coordinated blouse
• Moderate shoes
• Limited jewelry (pearls are a nice touch)
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Tan or light hosiery
• Sparse make-up & perfume
Try to relax and be yourself. Project a positive, self-confident, sincere, congruent attitude (not cocky or arrogant-this will turn off the interviewer fast). Lean forward slightly in the chair, smile, make eye contact, and don’t cross your arms or legs.
Appear at ease and enthusiastic. Speak in complete sentences with correct grammar and intelligent vocabulary.

2024 Nursing training interview questions (Video)