Key Actions You Need To Take

Here are our top actions to help you both refresh your knowledge and be prepared for potential questions in your interview.

1. Job Description and Person Specification: Our top tip, download and print both documents as they will detail the responsibilities in the role. In addition, the Person Specification will outline the essential criteria, a combination of skills and experience that you are expected to bring. Most of your interview questions will be based on these documents.

1.b. Visit the organisation's website and look at their values and note them down so you can prepare how you are evidencing them in practice.

1.c. Find out the organisation's current CQC inspection status. This is so you can understand the organisation's challenges or the challenges in the area you will be working in. Knowing this will help you prepare your answers adequately, offering solutions to the organisation's or ward's challenges.

1.d. Don't forget that you can have a pre-interview call with the recruiting manager to understand from their point of view what the best candidate they are looking for would bring and offer to the role. 

2. Values and Competency-Based Recruitment: Values Based Recruitment (VBR) is a key framework used within the NHS and is designed to attract employees whose values match those of the organisation. You may be assessed in several ways, including via a pre-screening values questionnaire, which you would complete before you make your application.

On the application and during the interview, you may be asked values-based questions similar to competency-based questions exploring your behaviour in past scenarios. Other values-based interviewing techniques can include role plays and written answers to scenarios.

Refresh your knowledge of the NHS Constitution and Values, which in summary are:

  • Working together for patients

  • Respect and dignity

  • Commitment to quality of care

  • Compassion

  • Improving lives

  • Everyone counts

Refresh your understanding of the expected behaviours within each, as they will want to see evidence of these in your answers.

You may find these values differ by organisation, and the Job Description will list them. Alternatively, find them on the employer's website.

3. Simplified Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) - The framework outlines the core skills that you as a Nurse need to do your job. It was simplified as it was proving too onerous, and now it focuses on six core dimensions covering the key areas that apply to every job as follows:

  • Communication

  • Personal and people development

  • Health, safety and security

  • Service improvement

  • Quality improvement

  • Equality and diversity

4. The 6Cs of nursing: The 6Cs stand for the professional commitment to consistently deliver excellent care. Each value is equal; not one is more important than the other. They focus on putting the person being cared for at the heart of the care they are given. The 6Cs are Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage and Commitment.

5. NMC Code of Conduct: Click here to download and read the Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses and midwives.

6. Advanced Practice Standards: At this senior level, you will need to meet several standards, and you should research and familiarise yourself with these in advance of your interview. They may be tested via competency or scenario-based questions. Learn more about them here.

7. NICE Guidance: If you haven't already done so, we suggest you download and study the relevant NICE guidance for the practice area you are applying for here.

8. NHSE National Frameworks: Finally, you will find that the NHSE & I website also provides the national frameworks for the area of practice you are applying for. It is worth having a read if you have ample time to prepare before your interview here.

Often, interviewers like to test your current knowledge with a question or two about a key issue that may impact your role. This is also a test of your interest and motivation.