Master the 2025 Nursing School Interview | 250+ Questions & Expert Sample Answers

Applying to nursing school is a significant step in your healthcare journey, and the interview is where you bring your application to life. Whether you're aiming for a BSN or an accelerated nursing program, this guide offers over 250 nursing school interview questions—plus expert strategies and sample responses—to help you prepare with confidence and clarity.

For aspiring nurses who have participated in pre-nursing internships abroad, your global clinical experience can become a powerful talking point in interviews, demonstrating both compassion and cross-cultural competence.

> Explore Go-Elective's Pre-Nursing and Nursing Electives Abroad

Why the Nursing School Interview Matters

Nursing programs use interviews to assess more than academics. They want to know: Are you emotionally prepared? Can you manage ethical challenges? Do you truly understand what nursing entails?

This is your opportunity to showcase not only your clinical aptitude but also your character, cultural awareness, and professional potential.

Preparing for Your Nursing School Interview

1. Know the Program Inside and Out

Start by researching the nursing school’s mission, values, and curriculum. What sets it apart? How does it align with your career goals? If you've completed a pre-nursing internship—especially one that involved hands-on hospital work abroad—mention how those experiences inspired you to pursue formal training.

2. Answering the Key Question: Why Nursing?

You’ll almost certainly be asked: Why do you want to be a nurse? This question deserves more than a cliché response. Frame your answer around a personal experience or formative moment—especially if it involved patient interaction, advocacy, or volunteer work during an internship or healthcare shadowing program.

3. Align Your Goals with the Nursing Internship Experience

Many nursing schools emphasize early exposure to clinical environments. Be prepared to discuss how your internship, shadowing, or volunteer work—whether in your home country or abroad—prepared you for nursing school and helped you develop empathy, critical thinking, and patient care skills.

What to Expect in the Interview

The Format

Nursing school interviews can vary. Some use traditional 1-on-1 formats, while others follow the MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) model. Either way, your answers should reflect preparation, sincerity, and awareness of the role nurses play in diverse healthcare settings.

Demonstrate Your Understanding of Global and Local Health Challenges

If you’ve taken part in a global health internship in Kenya or Tanzania, use that experience to illustrate your adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and exposure to real-world patient care.

Categories of Nursing School Interview Questions

Situational Questions

These present hypothetical clinical scenarios to assess your decision-making and ethics under pressure.

• What would you do if a patient refused medication?
• How would you react if a colleague made a mistake?

Behavioral Questions

These explore how you've handled challenges or teamwork in the past.

• Tell me about a time you resolved a conflict.
• Share an experience when you took initiative in a stressful situation.

Ethical Questions

These assess your judgment in morally complex scenarios.

• Would you ever go against a doctor’s order?
• How do you approach informed consent?

Personality & Character

These focus on emotional intelligence, resilience, and interpersonal strengths.

• How do you manage stress?
• What makes you a good listener?

Academic & Educational Background

Expect questions about how your studies have prepared you for nursing.

• How have you handled a difficult subject?
• What study strategies help you stay on track?

Motivation and Career Goals

Here you’ll share your “why” and long-term vision.

• Why nursing over other healthcare careers?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?

Diversity and Cultural Competency

Interviewers assess your ability to care for diverse populations.

• Describe a time you worked with someone from a different culture.
• How do you ensure culturally sensitive care?

Current Issues in Healthcare

Stay informed about public health trends, nursing shortages, or telehealth.

• What are the biggest challenges in healthcare today?
• How has COVID-19 changed nursing?

Program-Specific Questions

Show you've done your homework on the school.

• What attracted you to our program?
• How would you contribute to our student community?

Your Future in Nursing

Demonstrate ambition and clarity.

• What’s your ultimate goal in nursing?
• Do you plan to specialize or pursue advanced training?

Sample Nursing School Interview Questions (With Expert Responses)

We’ve compiled and categorized 250+ questions, including expert response samples. Here are a few highlights:

Sample Situational Question

Q: How would you handle a patient refusing medication?

A: I’d first listen to their concerns, provide education in simple language, and involve the care team if necessary. I’d focus on empathy and patient autonomy, while ensuring safety and communication with the physician.

Sample Ethical Question

Q: What would you do if a colleague acted unethically?

A: Patient safety comes first. I would discreetly address the issue and report it according to protocol. Maintaining trust and integrity is essential in nursing practice.

Sample Behavioral Question

Q: Tell me about a time you worked under pressure.

A: During my hospital internship in Mombasa, I was assigned to triage during a high-volume shift. I stayed calm, prioritized cases, and communicated clearly with staff, ensuring smooth patient flow.

Strengthen Your Interview with International Experience

Participating in a pre-nursing internship abroad demonstrates initiative, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability—qualities nursing schools love to see. If you've shadowed doctors or nurses in resource-limited settings, be sure to tie that into your answers about resilience, ethical decision-making, or patient care.

Post-Interview Etiquette

Send a thoughtful thank-you email within 24–48 hours of the interview. Reiterate your interest in the program, reference something specific from the conversation, and express appreciation for the opportunity.

Conclusion

The nursing school interview isn’t just a test—it’s your spotlight moment. With clear goals, reflective preparation, and experience from clinical internships (especially those in global settings), you’re more than ready to make your mark.

Remember, Go Elective’s internships abroad not only strengthen your resume—they offer transformative experiences that help you speak with conviction and insight during your interview.

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Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Nursing Internships,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Jun 17, 2025