Columbia Nursing Interview Questions

Communication & Teamwork Stations​

• What one situation in your life made you realise the value of good communication skills?
• Have you ever found that your communication skills helped you, or others that you were working with, out of a difficult situation?
• What does the word empathy mean to you?
• Can you describe the difference between empathy and sympathy?
• Imagine that one of your friends at school is going to drop out as they are struggling with the amount of work that they have to do. Think about what you might say to them. What tone would you take, and how should you approach a situation of this nature in general?
• Tell me about a team situation in which you found your team difficult to work with.
• Tell me about a team situation in which you felt that you had to take the lead.
• Are you a good leader?
• Tell us about a time that your team failed, and you took from this failure – how did it help you grow?

General / Personal Statements

• Tell me about one experience that has altered your outlook on the world of healthcare.
• If you could invite one person from history to dinner, who would it be and why?
• Why are you interested in studying at this school in particular?
• Did you enjoy your undergraduate course? What stood out about it to you?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• What are your biggest weaknesses?
• How would your friends describe you in three words?
• Would you describe yourself as an organised person?
• What would you say are your greatest attributes?