We’re excited to meet you, and we want you to feel as comfortable and prepared as possible. This page will provide you with all in the information you need for your interview.
What to expect during your interview
The focus of your interview is to ensure that you reflect the values of the University and the Mental Health Nursing profession.
Your interview is an opportunity to tell us why you want to start your journey to becoming a mental health nurse here with us at the University of Staffordshire. It is also time for you to show us what skills and experiences you have had previously that have shaped you into the person you are today as well as demonstrating why these skills will aid you on your path to becoming a registered nurse.
Please be assured that our approach to interviews is very informal, albeit important. The process will be a natural dialogue between you and the panel, led by specific questions. We essentially want to get to know you and discuss your ambitions, experience, understanding and the skills you have acquired.
The interview will usually last approximately 20 minutes and will be led by a Nurse from our lecturing team. Your panel may also include a student from our Nursing courses (either Adult, Children’s, or Mental Health).
Microsoft Teams interview
Although we have moved to virtual interview, we endeavour to provide you with a valuable and informative experience.
Prior to your interview day you will be sent an email detailing all the relevant information of how to join your teams interview as well as contact details in case you encounter any issues on the day.
You will also receive an invitation with your specific time slot for your individual interview. Please ensure that you take note of this time.
The invite will have a “Click here to join the meeting” which is located near the bottom of the email, which you will need to click, and your interview panel will admit you into the interview.
The links below are guides for joining Microsoft Teams via a PC/laptop or mobile.
Although I would encourage you, where possible, to use a PC/Laptop to join the meetings.
The interview questions
We know that interviews can be a daunting event however good preparation is key to helping you show us why you would make an excellent Mental Health Nurse.
To ensure every candidate has the same opportunity to highlight their key achievements, skills, and experiences we are enclosing examples of our interview questions you may wish to consider:
- Tell us something interesting about you that will make you stand out as a student?
- Why do you want to become a Mental Health Nurse?
- What have you done to prepare yourself to become a Mental Health Student Nurse at Staffordshire University?
- What do you believe a day in a life of a Mental Health Nurse to be?
- If you or a loved one were being cared for by a Mental Health Nurse, what would you expect from the nurse looking after you?
- What challenges do you think the course will present to you? and how will you manage these?
How to prepare
During your interview we will be looking to see:
- Your current understanding of the Mental Health Nursing profession
- Who regulates us as well as our professional responsibilities
- What qualities we as Mental Health Nurses should demonstrate
- What challenges you feel you may encounter and how you may overcome these
- How have you prepared yourself for studying at Staffordshire University
Here are some good ways to research the profession you want to join:
- Familiarise yourself with our regulating body, The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). This is vital to show that you fully understand what is expected of you as a student nurse but also what is expected once you qualify
- Familiarise yourself with the Mental Health Nursing Competence and Career Framework (Health Education England).
- Familiarise yourself with the role of a Mental Health Nurse Mental health nurse | Health Careers
- Think about reading some recognised nursing journals or listening to the many podcasts available. You may also find it helpful to see what topical issues are voiced within the news and social media.
- Consider taking some additional courses. There are many free courses available to increase your academic skills as well as some that relate specifically to mental nursing. Digital skills can also be particularly helpful.
- Think about how you will manage your work life balance - being organised is the key. Studying nursing is a full-time course with not only your academic work to consider but also working on placement. This does equate to a full working week and many students need to balance this with their home lives. Consider what support you may need to enable this.