title: Identifying applicants suitable to a career in nursing: a value-based approach to undergraduate selection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to complement existing evidence on the suitability of Multiple Mini Interviews as a potential tool for the selection of nursing candidates on to a BSc (Hons) nursing programme.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to trial the Multiple Mini Interview approach to recruitment with a group of first year nursing students (already selected using traditional interviews).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional validation study. This paper reports on the evaluation of the participants' detailed scores from the Multiple Mini Interview stations; their original interview scores and their end of year results.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study took place in March 2015. Scores from the seven Multiple Mini Interview stations were analysed to show the internal structure, reliability and generalizability of the stations. Original selection scores from interviews and in-course assessment were correlated with the MMI scores and variation by students' age, gender and disability status was explored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reliability of the Multiple Mini Interview score was moderate (G = 0·52). The Multiple Mini Interview score provided better differentiation between more able students than did the original interview score but neither score was correlated with the module results. Multiple Mini Interview scores were positively associated with students' age but not their gender or disability status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Multiple Mini Interview reported in this study offers a selection process that is based on the values and personal attributes regarded as desirable for a career in nursing and does not necessarily predict academic success. Its moderate reliability indicates the need for further improvement but it is capable of discriminating between candidates and shows little evidence of bias.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Traynor
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: Despina
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2375-1531
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Galanouli
authors.affiliation: Peninsula Medical School, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, UK.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4084-1723
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.affiliation: Peninsula Medical School, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, UK.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gale
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004506:Education, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D013338:Students, Nursing
keywords: interview scores; multiple mini interviews; nursing recruitment; personal statement; selection; values based recruitment