Practical Nursing Interview Criteria

When the Practical Nursing applicant has satisfactorily met all the prerequisites described on the Practical Nursing program page, including submission of the required documents, an interview will be scheduled with the Practical Nursing chairperson and/or other faculty members.

The purpose of the academic interview is to evaluate and determine behaviors associated with professionalism. You will be introduced to Practical Nursing faculty and, in turn, will introduce yourself.

To ensure you make a good impression, it is essential that you be on time, well-groomed, and appropriately dressed. The prospective student reflects an understanding of such professional criteria.

The ability to communicate is critical to nursing. A strong tone and the use of proper language reflect confidence. The ability to relate strengths and weaknesses are important to a positive image of self.

These are the criteria upon which you will be judged at your interview.

Appointment Time

Best – You are early or on time.
Good – You are on time.
Poor – You are late.

Introduction

Best – You greet the interviewer pleasantly and appropriately. Body language is appropriate, and you make eye contact with the interviewer.
Fair – You greet the interviewer pleasantly, but little eye contact is made.
Poor – You do not greet the interviewer pleasantly and make no eye contact. Your body language is inappropriate.

Appearance

Best – You have a well-groomed appearance, and are wearing appropriate interview attire.
Fair – You are well-groomed but in business casual attire, not interview attire.
Poor – You present unkempt and/or inappropriately dressed for a formal interview. Examples are being in jeans, shorts, sneakers, etc.

Communication

Best – Your vocal tone is strong, you speak loudly enough to be heard clearly, speak with confidence, and use proper grammar and vocabulary.
Good – You use a strong tone and volume and employ appropriate grammar and vocabulary.
Poor – Your speech is difficult to understand.

Self-Image

Best – You identify yourself in a positive way. You can verbalize at least two strengths and two weaknesses while maintaining self-confidence.
Fair – You can describe only one strength and/or one weakness and do not exude confidence in yourself.
Poor – You cannot verbalize any of your strengths or weaknesses.