Liverpool Nursing Interview Questions & Tips

University of Liverpool Nursing Interview Questions & Tips

Key Information

Liverpool requires BBB at A Level, and prefers Biology as one of your chosen subjects. They will not consider General Studies under any circumstances. If you have sat a science subject, you must have attained a pass in the practical part of the course. You must have 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above, including English Language, Mathematics and Science at Grade 5 or above.

The interview is formatted as a selection day, with both group interview and one individual one.

What Do Liverpool Look For?

Liverpool provide a good level of detail on what they are looking for in both the personal statement and at interview. You’ll need to show experience of frontline caring, in accordance with the values and behaviours expected in the NHS constitution. Secondary experience in voluntary or paid healthcare or wellbeing environments is also necessary. Having seen the practice of Nursing in either the acute or community setting is beneficial. Through these experiences, you should ensure that you reflect in detail and show learning.

You should be able to display a capability for digital and technological literacy - whilst seemingly obvious, try to think of ways to evidence your computer literacy. Doing simple, reputable online qualifications could be a quick route.

You will be expected to be highly active in school and outside of it; take part in peer mentoring and take up any other available roles in your school’s support system. Make sure you are able to discuss why you chose to do this, how it has benefited your personal development, and how you have shown empathy. Additionally, use your time outside school for the benefit of others; raise money for charity or other good causes. If you think your experience here could be bolstered, think about additional work you could do in the next few months, and how best to reflect on the experience you have gained in this area.

Make sure that you are very confident answering questions on teamwork - have strong examples and detailed reflection ready. You should be able to talk about showing leadership, alongside communicating within a team. You will need strong verbal communication, and the ability to ‘express ideas clearly and logically, and to listen to the point of view of others.’ This will be tested through a group exercise.

Nursing Interview Question Bank

Nursing Interview Techniques

What do Previous Students Say?

According to previous students, the Liverpool interviews are more relaxed than you might expect. You should make sure you temper your answers with a degree of realism, and think of the process as a series of friendly conversations. They highlight the workload as one of the chief difficulties of the course - meaning that demonstrating your ability with time management is crucial during these interviews.

What’s the Course Like?

Your first year will contain two 12 week practical learning placements, along with eight theoretical modules. You will benefit from shared learning with other students from the School of Health Sciences, focusing on physiology, behavioural sciences and ethics.

Second Year develops clinical skills - assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care. Expect to learn across conditions, and across the lifespan. You’ll start to learn how to care for individuals with complex needs, and focus on holistic care. Nursing research is a core part of the year too; expect to learn about data collection, research methodology and ethical considerations in research.

Third Year prepares you for caring for people that are critically ill, and for working in palliative and end of life care. You will start to learn about leadership, and how to manage both the process of care and other people. You will write a dissertation focusing on an area of nursing that particularly interests you. This will be researched by you alone, although supported by members of staff.

You should research the course thoroughly, and pinpoint why it appeals to you. At a high level, you should note the interest in research (if you are academic and interested in the Sciences, then Liverpool’s degree could be perfect for you) and even consider what kind of areas might interest you to focus on during your degree or in the future. Additionally, ensure that you are able to answer questions on holistic care and its importance.

Some Key Questions for Liverpool Nursing Interviews

What is the most important learning experience you can tell us about from your work experience?
Digital literacy is an ever more important part of the Nursing profession. How have you shown your digital literacy?
What roles have you taken on that benefit other people? What have you learnt from them?
Nursing is a tough degree. What experiences do you have that illustrate your ability to work hard and show determination?
Do you think that research is important to our profession?
Do you agree with the statement that, ‘it is our duty to care for the whole person, not merely cure their condition?’
Can you describe a time when you felt your ability to work well in a team made a real difference?
Would you like to take a leadership role in the future? Have you already any experience of leadership?

University of Liverpool Nursing Interview Questions & Tips

​Further Reading....

Further Reading....