Before applying to Northeastern University’s Accelerated BSN program, an admissions counselor will want to interview you. What questions should you ask in that interview? Here, we provide guidance for what questions to ask in a nursing school interview and what questions you might have to answer in the application process.
Perhaps you have decided to become a nurse and want to attend an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, such as the one offered by Northeastern University with locations near Boston, Massachusetts, Providence, Rhode Island, and in Charlotte, North Carolina. Whether you have a prior non-nursing bachelor’s degree or you’re a transfer student, Northeastern can help you earn a nursing degree in as few as 16 months.
As part of the pre-application process, every potential ABSN program student must complete a preliminary nursing school interview with an admissions counselor. See what questions to ask in a nursing school interview and how to position yourself as the perfect ABSN student.
Nursing School Questions You Should Ask
During a nursing school interview, which can take place over the phone or virtual meeting, you and your counselor will discuss your drive to become a nurse and go over your academic qualifications and future career goals. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions.
To help you prepare for your initial admissions call, here are four of the most common questions prospective students ask our counselors at Northeastern:
1. How does the ABSN program work?
Our ABSN program is for students who have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to make a quick transition into the nursing profession.
Whether you’re interested in our ABSN program near Boston, MA, Providence, RI, or in Charlotte, NC, you’ll receive the same accredited education from a university known for graduating innovative nurse leaders.
Ask your admissions counselor how our online coursework, hands-on simulation labs, and in-person clinical placements prepare you to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam with confidence.
2. What does it take to be successful in the ABSN program?
To be successful in our rigorous four-semester ABSN program, you must put a significant amount of time and energy into your studies. Being in the program is like holding a full-time job. It’s important for you and your counselor to discuss anything that might prevent you from making your education a top priority.
For example, we talk to a lot of qualified people who simply don’t have the time or resources to devote to full-time study. Given all the variables involved with attending our ABSN program, your admissions counselor needs to get to know you before they can best address your questions and/or concerns.
This is an in-depth process, which makes it virtually impossible to address every question or concern someone has about the program in a single phone call.
Heather Hudson, ABSN program admissions counselor
3. What are the ABSN prerequisite requirements?
Not only do you need a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to qualify for our ABSN program, you must also successfully complete eight prerequisite courses that help lay the foundation for your nursing studies.
Depending on your previous field of study, you may have already satisfied some of these requirements. Ask your admissions counselor if any of your past college credits are eligible for transfer.
Before nursing school, Patti, a 2018 ABSN program graduate, studied biological sciences as an undergraduate and communication management as a graduate. Upon speaking with an admissions counselor, Patti discovered her biology degree was “too old” and that she had to retake several of the prerequisites.
My admissions counselor had a path laid out for me to complete my prerequisites, including where I could complete them online. She already knew what schools had prerequisites that qualified, so there was nothing left for me to wonder about.
4. What does nursing school cost?
We base our nursing school tuition on the number of credit hours required to complete the ABSN program. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the cost per credit hour is $1,307.
Tuition doesn’t cover program fees or school supplies, so ask your counselor about the ancillary costs of attending nursing school. Also, ask your counselor to connect you with our Student Financial Services team to learn about the different ways you can finance your nursing education.
I definitely think that having Northeastern nursing on your job application is going to help you.
Shaelyn, a 2017 ABSN program graduate
Nursing School Interview Questions You Will Be Asked
Now, consider the types of questions our ABSN program faculty will want you to address in your written goal statement, a critical component of your nursing school application.
While standard application materials tell us about your academic and work experience, our nursing faculty wants to get a better sense of who you are as a person. After all, there’s a good chance other applicants will have the same qualifications as you. You likely will need to address these questions in your goal statement:
- Why do you want to be a nurse?
- What makes you think you’d be a good nurse?
- What leadership qualities do you possess?
- How do you plan to handle the demands of our ABSN program?
- What are your future plans for your career?
There’s a reason Northeastern has the academic reputation it has. They’re selective with their students, choosing those applicants whom they believe to possess traits that are going to make them a successful nurse.
Sarah, a 2018 ABSN program graduate
How to Answer Nursing School Interview Questions
When addressing what makes you an ideal candidate for both our program and the nursing profession, methodically plan your responses. Consider the following:
- Be memorable by telling us what inspired you to want to become a nurse.
- Be passionate by sharing your dedication toward making a difference in the field.
- Be direct by using clear, strong language that gets to the point.
- Be real by responding from the heart and explaining what motivates you.
- Be concise by avoiding details that detract from your key message.
Ready to put your nursing education in motion? Schedule your preliminary nursing school interview with an admissions counselor today!
