Preparing for Access to Nursing Interview (West Lothian College)

Hi there!

I'm completely new to these forums as you can see by my dismal post count! :smile:

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I'd like to firstly start by saying Hello and that I'm glad to be a part of these forums and all you aspiring nurses.

So I've wanted to do Adult Nursing for some time now (I'm currently 27), and this year felt completely right for me. I done a lot of soul searching and self reflecting on my life experience and realised I had a lot of transferable skills and qualities. I got myself enrolled in an introductory course which covers modules such as Values and Principles in Care, Sociology, Health and Technology and basic literacy and numeracy amongst other things.

My intentions are of course to progress onto Access to Nursing! I'm quite fortunate to have already built some rapport with the Nursing lecturers and this has built my confidence a little. I've been for my first interview which consisted of a basic numeracy test, IT test and a 500 word literacy test on "The Problems Mature Students Face" or something along those lines. I'm extremely pleased to have passed this part of the interview... However, the second interview has made me nervous!

The second interview will take place at my college, but will be administered by the University Lecturers from Napier. It'll apparently consist of a group discussion , a one to one interview and other tasks. The letter is a bit blunt, but tells us to check out various resources, such as the NMC's code and the RCN. So I've been vigorously familiarising myself with the NMC's purpose and have visited my library for a copy of the "Student Nurse Handbook" which I'm really enjoying.

I'd like to mention that I left school and naively chose to pursue computing. This wasn't the right choice for me and I worked for Sky, Customer Care for a few years where my thirst to help people under more satisfying circumstances grew. Like I've said, Nursing has been something I've aspired to do for years. Male nurses run in my family!

So I've kinda prattled on for a while here. The main thing I'm hoping to get from this post is:

How was your interview experience
What did you do to prepare
What questions were asked

Also, I'd love it if someone going for the same interview could reply or private message me so I'll at least know someone! :smile:

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Cheers very much in advance.
Scott

Reply 1

Atoma

Thanks a lot Kirsty for taking the time to post :smile:

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I didn't realise they were still doing 1st stage interviews! I had my first interview on the 10th of April I'm sure. It was basically just an informal chat about why I wanted to do nursing. Talking about what qualities I had, skill's, experience etc.

The second one is the one that grants your unconditional place on the Access course, and the conditional place at Napier.

The hardest part was that literacy piece. My lecturer and interviewer (Linda) said I done fine but it was a bit repetitive. I felt like saying "when you've to write 500 words on a subject you're not completely familiar with, you're going to start to sound like a broken record!" lol.

I'd like to specialise in Diabetic Nursing, but the possibilities are endless! The prospect of just becoming registered in itself is exciting I think.

Hope you do well and good luck :biggrin:

. x

Reply 2

kleishy

yeah there must be quite a few of us applying. I hope I get in. Good luck to you too. Hopefully we'll get to talk coursework face to face at some point and be laughing at how nervous we've both been.

Kirsty x

Reply 3

bobafetttt

Hi guys,

I found out today that I've been successful in my first interview and I've been invited back to the second interview with Napier on the 18th of June. I'm now going to have to work my butt off perfecting the personal statement!

Regardless of what comes next, I'm so unbelievably chuffed I've got this far!

Reply 4

kleishy

Thanks Lee, best of luck to you too. Kirsty and Scott I'll see you on the 18th :smile:

I made it through to the second interview. I'm absolutely beaming and hyper, I can't believe I got through with how nervous I was. xxxxxx

Reply 5

kleishy

I think we've done well for over 200+ applicants and only 40 or so(?) of us getting through to the second stage for one of the 22 places

Reply 6

bobafetttt

Exactly, everyone who's got through to the second stage should be proud of themselves so far! I need to get my head down in to this personal statement soon, I've spent the afternoon procrastinating so far!

Reply 7

kleishy

Oh god, I've not even thought about it yet, too busy trying to work out how I'm going to pay £411 per week childcare! The college would give me £230 per week and if I get a lone parent grant that'll be paid at £30 per week which still leaves a big chunk of money to pay each week. I just hope I can find it otherwise this is the end of the road for me already :frown:

Reply 8

bobafetttt

Speak to the tax credit helpline and see if they can help :smile:

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my HTC One X

Reply 9

Atoma

Congratulations to both of you!

How's the preparations coming? I've started my personal statement but have been a bit bogged down with coursework to finish it :<.

Hope you get your expenses sorted kleishy. I'm doing the Int 1 Wellbeing course right now and I'm getting around £350 per month bursary. I've just moved into my own place so I know I'm now entitled to about an extra £100, but I've only got one month left on the course.

Reply 10

samf1989

I have my access to nursing interview at Riverside college, Cheshire Friday 1st June!

I've got to take along a supporting statement why I want to study an access course, detailing my work experience/qualifications, and outline my personal/career aspirations. It has to be 2 paragraphs long.

Also going to sit a BKSB maths and English test. Need to scrub up on my Maths then!

Reply 11

Kalq1809

Hi,
i know this is an old post but hoping to get some help.
I'm hoping to apply for access to nursing in January 2013 for August intake. And I want to be prepared for the pre test. Can anyone what I should be expecting and if the test Is hard? How can i prepare in anyway.
Ive not studied in many years now and have been home with my 2 kids for nearly 5 years. I'm really dedicated to becoming a nurse and I'm already worrying thay I might not make it. Any help and suggestion please. And for all those out Who are studying the Course this year, is it hard and is there alot of work? Thank you :smile:

Reply 12

salemsparklys

Original post by Kalq1809

What college are applying too? I found when I did my Access each college had a different interview, only 1 college asked me to do any written work for the interview :smile:

, also each college differed in the work you did but all led to Napier :smile:

Reply 13

Kalq1809

Oops forgot to say I'm applying to west Lothian college in Livingston next January.

Reply 14

Atoma

Original post by Kalq1809

Hi!

We're well and truly in the deep end already with the course work! I have to say at this point, it's the best thing I've ever done. I've already made some invaluable friends and the course content so far has been top notch.

The hardest part is proving your the ideal candidate for the course. I remember being in your position a few months ago, and I was just as nervous because the competition for the course is fierce! There was apparently 5 candidates interviewed for every student that made it onto the course (there's 22 of us).

I'd applied the year before and wasn't even given an interview. The course is now what they consider a "SWAP" course, which means you're under scrutiny from Napier University as they offer you a conditional placement at University, becoming a conditional if you pass Access to Nursing. This made the process a lot harder as you're now given 2 interviews. One from West Lothian College which consists of a 400 word literacy piece, a numeracy test and an ICT exercise showing you're competent with computers.

The second stage of the process after narrowing down people was the group interview hosted by the course leaders at Napier. There was around 35 of us there, taken in groups of 12 for the group interview. All of us were given pictures to think about and to present to the rest of the group in order to share thoughts and have a controversial discussion. In the end, we were told there and then that we had our place on the course.

It sounds like a horrible experience but it is really worth the effort. What I done beforehand was enrolled myself onto the Introduction to Wellbeing course. A great way to get your foot in the door and to build rapport with lecturers, in particular, the course tutor Linda, who will teach you during Introduction to Wellbeing and a lot in Access to Nursing.

Doing the Introduction to Wellbeing class really helped and with it being a Christmas start, finishing in June, it's the perfect stepping stone if you want to be advantageous over other candidates applying.

I think I've said everything I can haha, so if you want to chat further, message me privately and I'll help you along the way as best as I can :smile:

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Scott

Reply 15

Atoma

The course work is great too. Don't get me wrong, it's difficult and demanding!

So far we're studying Medical Terminology, Higher Human Biology, Human Development, Infectious Diseases, Communications and ICT. There is a great burden of coursework but you'll find it very fascinating and if you stay on top of revision and deadlines, you'll keep afloat all year :biggrin:

Reply 16

Stejey

I have apply for access in nursing, and I am very curious of what I should know before I go for my first interview. Because am 36 with two kids now, but nursing is my dream career. And I want to know if there is part-time course for this. Secondly i want to revise my self, I want to know the basic things. I need help, tnx . Mavis

Reply 17

Pammy33

Original post by Stejey

Hi,
Have you had an interview for access to nursing course yet? and what college?

Thanks

Reply 18

AndreaBCD

Original post by Stejey

It depends on where you are planning to study. Some colleges are really tough at interview, but mostly they just want to know that you understand what sort of work is involved in the course. Like have you researched the course? Talking to others who are studying already is a really good way to find out what to expect.

The problem with colleges is that they have a limit on the amount of students they can take per year. There are also online options, which lets you study from home. My college takes 20 students per month, so it's worth checking out all of your options. They are called Harriet Ellis, might be worth checking out if you want an alternative.