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What is the most challenging part about nursing job interview, and how can we make our applications stand out amongst others? What are some easy ways we can gain experience in a hospital before getting our BSN?
I am a college freshman who is applying for nursing school at Sam Houston State University this summer. I hope to become a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care working in the PICU one day. Additionally, I am a Type 1 Diabetic.
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Susana’s Answer
Hi Eliana, thanks so much for the question.
Good to know about your dreaming of becoming a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner–Acute Care (CPNP-AC) in the PICU. You're already thinking like a future nurse leader, I am so proud of you. Below are clear, supportive guide to help you achieve your dream.
1. What Is the Most Challenging Part of a Nursing Job Interview?
A. Behavioral & Scenario-Based Questions
These are the toughest for most candidates because they test:
Your critical thinking
Your ability to stay calm
Your communication and teamwork
How you handle stress and prioritize
Examples:
“Tell me about a time you made a mistake and how you handled it.”
“You have 3 patients needing attention at once — what do you do first?”
How to do well:
Use S.T.A.R. (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure every answer.
Even as a freshman, you can use:
School experiences
Volunteer work
Teamwork projects
Personal healthcare experiences (including your Type 1 diabetes — only if you want to mention it)
B. Communicating Confidence Without Experience
Freshmen or first-time applicants often feel like:
“I haven’t worked in healthcare — what do I talk about?”
Solution:
Focus on qualities nursing managers love:
Empathy
Reliability
Patient-centered mindset
Calm under pressure
Ability to learn quickly
Personal experience navigating healthcare as a Type 1 Diabetic (this gives you unique insight into patient care)
Mentioning your T1D (again, only if you want to) can show:
✔ Deep understanding of chronic illness
✔ Personal experience with self-management, resilience, and empathy
✔ Motivation to help children who face medical challenges
This can set you apart beautifully.
2. How Can You Make Your Nursing Applications Stand Out?
Even BEFORE your BSN, you can make your application rise above others by focusing on three areas:
A. Show Purpose + Passion
Nursing schools love clarity and direction — and you already have it.
In your application, highlight:
Your dream to become a CPNP–Acute Care
Your motivation to work in the PICU
Your connection to healthcare through managing Type 1 Diabetes
Your desire to advocate for children during their most vulnerable moments
Admissions committees LOVE students with a long-term vision.
B. Show That You’re Taking Action Early
Add activities like:
Health-related volunteering
Certifications
Hospital exposure
Leadership roles
Nursing-related clubs
It shows:
✔ Initiative
✔ Maturity
✔ Passion
✔ Commitment
Freshmen rarely do this — so it gives you a huge advantage.
C. Strengthen Your Academic Story
SHSU Nursing considers GPA heavily.
Use your first year to:
Get strong grades in A&P, Microbiology, and Pathophysiology
Build study systems early
Show academic consistency
Good grades make your application stand out instantly.
3. What Are Easy Ways to Gain Experience in a Hospital Before Your BSN?
Here are the most realistic and beginner-friendly options for someone your age and level:
1. Become a Patient Care Technician (PCT) / Nurse Tech
Many hospitals hire:
Freshmen
Pre-nursing students
Students who only have BLS certification
Typical duties:
Taking vitals
Assisting patients
Supporting nurses during care
Helping with hygiene & mobility
Where to look in Texas:
Houston Methodist
Memorial Hermann
Texas Children’s Hospital (PICU exposure!)
HCA hospitals
This is the BEST clinical exposure before nursing school.
2. Volunteer at a Hospital
This is simple to start and looks fantastic on applications.
Volunteer programs often include:
Pediatric units
Play therapy departments
Patient transport
Front desk / patient support
Hospitals in Texas known for good volunteer programs:
Texas Children’s Hospital
UTMB
St. Luke’s
HCA Healthcare sites
3. Become a CNA (optional but powerful)
A CNA license gives you:
✔ Hands-on patient care
✔ Direct experience that nursing schools love
✔ Competitive job opportunities
It’s not required — but it makes your application shine.
4. Shadow Nurses or Nurse Practitioners
Since you want the PICU & eventual acute care NP path, see if you can shadow in:
NICU
PICU
Pediatric ED
Pediatric step-down unit
Shadowing is easy to arrange through:
Hospital volunteer offices
Family or community connections
Even your endocrinologist’s office (they often allow students to shadow!)
5. Join Nursing or Pre-Nursing Clubs
SHSU has:
Pre-nursing societies
Health professions societies
Community service groups
These build leadership and boost your application.
6. Get BLS Certified
Basic Life Support is inexpensive and quick.
Almost all healthcare employers require it — and it looks professional on your application.
4. How Your Type 1 Diabetes Can Make You a Stronger Applicant
If you choose to mention it (completely optional), it can highlight:
Your firsthand understanding of chronic illness
Your empathy for pediatric patients
Your experience navigating complex medical routines
Your resilience and discipline
Your motivation to care for children with chronic or critical conditions
Admissions committees often see this as a powerful, human, motivating story.
And in the PICU, empathy is everything.
Good to know about your dreaming of becoming a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner–Acute Care (CPNP-AC) in the PICU. You're already thinking like a future nurse leader, I am so proud of you. Below are clear, supportive guide to help you achieve your dream.
1. What Is the Most Challenging Part of a Nursing Job Interview?
A. Behavioral & Scenario-Based Questions
These are the toughest for most candidates because they test:
Your critical thinking
Your ability to stay calm
Your communication and teamwork
How you handle stress and prioritize
Examples:
“Tell me about a time you made a mistake and how you handled it.”
“You have 3 patients needing attention at once — what do you do first?”
How to do well:
Use S.T.A.R. (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure every answer.
Even as a freshman, you can use:
School experiences
Volunteer work
Teamwork projects
Personal healthcare experiences (including your Type 1 diabetes — only if you want to mention it)
B. Communicating Confidence Without Experience
Freshmen or first-time applicants often feel like:
“I haven’t worked in healthcare — what do I talk about?”
Solution:
Focus on qualities nursing managers love:
Empathy
Reliability
Patient-centered mindset
Calm under pressure
Ability to learn quickly
Personal experience navigating healthcare as a Type 1 Diabetic (this gives you unique insight into patient care)
Mentioning your T1D (again, only if you want to) can show:
✔ Deep understanding of chronic illness
✔ Personal experience with self-management, resilience, and empathy
✔ Motivation to help children who face medical challenges
This can set you apart beautifully.
2. How Can You Make Your Nursing Applications Stand Out?
Even BEFORE your BSN, you can make your application rise above others by focusing on three areas:
A. Show Purpose + Passion
Nursing schools love clarity and direction — and you already have it.
In your application, highlight:
Your dream to become a CPNP–Acute Care
Your motivation to work in the PICU
Your connection to healthcare through managing Type 1 Diabetes
Your desire to advocate for children during their most vulnerable moments
Admissions committees LOVE students with a long-term vision.
B. Show That You’re Taking Action Early
Add activities like:
Health-related volunteering
Certifications
Hospital exposure
Leadership roles
Nursing-related clubs
It shows:
✔ Initiative
✔ Maturity
✔ Passion
✔ Commitment
Freshmen rarely do this — so it gives you a huge advantage.
C. Strengthen Your Academic Story
SHSU Nursing considers GPA heavily.
Use your first year to:
Get strong grades in A&P, Microbiology, and Pathophysiology
Build study systems early
Show academic consistency
Good grades make your application stand out instantly.
3. What Are Easy Ways to Gain Experience in a Hospital Before Your BSN?
Here are the most realistic and beginner-friendly options for someone your age and level:
1. Become a Patient Care Technician (PCT) / Nurse Tech
Many hospitals hire:
Freshmen
Pre-nursing students
Students who only have BLS certification
Typical duties:
Taking vitals
Assisting patients
Supporting nurses during care
Helping with hygiene & mobility
Where to look in Texas:
Houston Methodist
Memorial Hermann
Texas Children’s Hospital (PICU exposure!)
HCA hospitals
This is the BEST clinical exposure before nursing school.
2. Volunteer at a Hospital
This is simple to start and looks fantastic on applications.
Volunteer programs often include:
Pediatric units
Play therapy departments
Patient transport
Front desk / patient support
Hospitals in Texas known for good volunteer programs:
Texas Children’s Hospital
UTMB
St. Luke’s
HCA Healthcare sites
3. Become a CNA (optional but powerful)
A CNA license gives you:
✔ Hands-on patient care
✔ Direct experience that nursing schools love
✔ Competitive job opportunities
It’s not required — but it makes your application shine.
4. Shadow Nurses or Nurse Practitioners
Since you want the PICU & eventual acute care NP path, see if you can shadow in:
NICU
PICU
Pediatric ED
Pediatric step-down unit
Shadowing is easy to arrange through:
Hospital volunteer offices
Family or community connections
Even your endocrinologist’s office (they often allow students to shadow!)
5. Join Nursing or Pre-Nursing Clubs
SHSU has:
Pre-nursing societies
Health professions societies
Community service groups
These build leadership and boost your application.
6. Get BLS Certified
Basic Life Support is inexpensive and quick.
Almost all healthcare employers require it — and it looks professional on your application.
4. How Your Type 1 Diabetes Can Make You a Stronger Applicant
If you choose to mention it (completely optional), it can highlight:
Your firsthand understanding of chronic illness
Your empathy for pediatric patients
Your experience navigating complex medical routines
Your resilience and discipline
Your motivation to care for children with chronic or critical conditions
Admissions committees often see this as a powerful, human, motivating story.
And in the PICU, empathy is everything.