Portsmouth Nursing Interview Questions & Tips

Portsmouth don’t offer a huge amount of information to distance their course from the norm. They explain that you will have a great chance to develop your practical skills in their simulated learning environments; that you will develop critical thinking, resilience and leadership skills, and that you will develop a true confidence in the processes of examining, assessing, and treating patients.
 
Through their emphasis on hands-on work, like their medical manikins and simulated patients in their Centre for Simulation in Health and Care, you may infer that Portsmouth are more focused on students who have practical and people skills to succeed in their course, rather than those that are more focused on research or academics.
 
This is borne out through their advice to those that are applying: they emphasise that good communication and teamwork skills are the most important attributes to have. They also stress that you should have an awareness of the 6Cs of nursing – care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.
 
You should take the time to reflect on each of the 6Cs, and think of a time when you have demonstrated that quality. Portsmouth’s ideal students will be readily able to show how they fit the 6Cs, and how they are eager to consider them throughout their learning at university and their future practice.
 
In terms of work experience, Portsmouth explains that it is ‘helpful to get some work experience before you start the course.’ You should take this as a recommendation to acquire relevant work experience; they also explain that speaking to people already working in the field, be it nursing or health and social care in general, will give you useful insights into the role of a nurse.

Looking at Portsmouth’s Curriculum Handbook, one finds an overview of their goals for their students, which should provide you with an idea of what to aim for when applying. They wish to develop students as, ‘reflective and person-centred practitioners, congruent with the values expected of the nursing profession.’ You should take this as a cue to reflect on your communication skills, team working ability, and your empathy and ability to help others in a holistic manner.