Abstract
This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Aims: The aim of this study was to gain the perspectives of men undergoing recruitment to a nursing degree programme by the process of multiple mini interviews (MMIs). Background: MMIs are used increasingly to select undergraduate students for degree courses, particularly in the healthcare sciences but the impact of MMIs on initiatives to increase gender diversity in these professions is unknown. Design: The study employed a qualitative research approach using a thematic framework of the MMI process. Methods: The study took place between January 2018 - April 2018 and a total of eight students attended for focus groups. Results: Respondents viewed the MMI process as stressful, and also reported that some of the stations created more stress than others, as they were conscious of the gender issues within some of the scenarios. Despite this they also reported the MMI to be a satisfactory selection tool. Conclusion: Participants found the use of MMIs to comprise a valid selection process which, while imperfect and female-dominated, did not unduly disadvantage male candidates. Further research involving multiple nursing schools as well as medical schools is needed to further evaluate the impact of the MMI as a selection tool on male applicants.
Highlights
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) are being increasingly used in the selection processes for students in a number of professions (Christensen et al, 2018; van der Spuy, Busch and Bidonde, 2016; Andrades et al, 2014)
Participants found the use of MMIs to comprise a valid selection process which, while imperfect and female-dominated, did not unduly disadvantage male candidates
Several authors have noted that the longitudinal predictive value of MMIs have still to be established (Gale et al, 2016), while increased scrutiny of nursing education and the nursing profession reiterate the importance of effective recruitment of capable candidates who hold values compatible with the profession
Summary
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) are being increasingly used in the selection processes for students in a number of professions (Christensen et al, 2018; van der Spuy, Busch and Bidonde, 2016; Andrades et al, 2014). They are used to assess a number of professional attributes including communication, empathy, decision making and taking responsibility (Kelly et al, 2014). MMIs are used increasingly to select undergraduate students for degree courses, in the healthcare sciences but the impact of MMIs on initiatives to increase gender diversity in these professions is unknown
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