Nursing
Your nursing interview will be conducted online through SAMMI®, a convenient virtual interview platform that allows you to complete your interview at a time that suits you within your chosen six-day period.
If you have any learning support needs or access requirements you would like to highlight to us, please email [email protected] ahead of your interview.
Before your interview, you must upload your ID documents to your ARU Portal for verification purposes. These documents will be used to confirm that you are the person taking the interview, which is a requirement set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Acceptable forms of ID include a passport, driver’s license, or an ID badge from your employer or college.
If you do not upload your ID documents ahead of the interview, you won’t receive an outcome for your interview and your application may be considered withdrawn. Please ensure your documents are uploaded in advance to avoid any issues.
The interview process
After booking your chosen interview period you’ll be sent an email with candidate information, an interview guide, top tips for getting the best from your microphone/camera, a link (URL) to access the SAMMI® platform, and your individually allocated unique code and password.
Please ensure that you complete your recorded interview within the 6 days period chosen by you, otherwise your application may be withdrawn.
When you log into the SAMMI® platform, you’ll first be presented with a Practice Portal. This portal allows you to test your camera and microphone, ensuring everything works smoothly ahead of your interview. The practice session is recorded so you can see your video feed and confirm that your technology is set up correctly. This ensures a smooth experience on the day of your interview.
- Confirming your setup: after completing the practice session, you’ll be asked to confirm that you have successfully tested your camera and microphone, and that everything is working as expected. Once you confirm this, the interview will begin.
- Virtual interview: your interview will be completely virtual, and you won’t meet an interviewer or member of staff in real-time. Instead, you’ll be presented with a series of pre-recorded questions from the ARU community. These questions are designed to assess your understanding and motivations for pursuing a career in nursing.
- Transcript: a transcript of the questions will be available throughout the interview. If you need to re-read a question, you can easily refer back to the transcript for clarification.
- Uploading responses: once you have completed all the required questions, your answers will automatically upload to the SAMMI® platform. They will also download to your device. Please accept this download option so that you have the videos stored as a back-up in case there are any issues. If the uploaded videos present any issues, you can send the backup downloaded videos to the University if requested to do so.
- Time limit per question: you’ll have four minutes to answer each question. This is enough time to think through your response, and you can review the transcript of the question again if needed.
If you finish early, please stay on screen until the timer runs out. We encourage you to think more about ‘why’ you have responded in the way you describe – this deeper thinking/explanation often generates more insightful answers. It’s important to remain on the screen to ensure the interview is properly completed.
Please note: IT and camera presence
It is essential that you remain visible on camera throughout the entire interview process. If you are not present on camera, or if there are any technical issues with your video or microphone that prevent us from seeing or hearing you clearly, your interview will be considered failed. Please ensure your technology is working properly before starting the interview to avoid any disruptions.
Technical support is available Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Your interview period runs from Wednesday to Monday within the dates you chose when you booked your interview.
Who will be interviewing you?
You’ll be interviewed mainly by senior lecturers from ARU who have recorded the questions on SAMMI®.
You may also receive an interview question from a volunteer from the Anglia Ruskin University Lived Experience Network (LEARN).
What we’re looking for in your interview
- Your understanding of the nursing role, course commitments (such as placements and travel), the NHS Constitution, resilience, and transferable skills.
- Your approach: how you respond to questions you are asked, your interpersonal communication skills, and your decision-making process.
- Listening skills: to succeed in your interview, it's crucial to listen attentively to the questions being asked, so you can effectively address the points raised.
- Values and experiences: you’ll be asked to support your answers with personal examples, all grounded in the 6Cs of the NHS Constitution.
What happens after the interview?
You'll receive the outcome of your interview within three working days of the close of your interview period.
Next steps
What next if I am unsuccessful at interview?
- Consider areas for improvement and feel free to request written feedback to help you prepare for future interviews.
- We accept applications for the next academic year, but please note that previous offers or reserve list placements do not guarantee a place or interview if you reapply.