Innovation in values based public health nursing student selection: a qualitative evaluation of candidate and selection panel member perspectives

Values based recruitment emerges from the premise that a high degree of valuecongruence, or the extent to which an individual’s values are similar to those of the health organisation in which they work, leads to organisational effectiveness. Objectives: The aim of this evaluation was to explore how candidates and selection panel members experienced and perceived innovative methods of values based public health nursing student selection. Intervention: The use of photo elicitation interviews and situational judgement questions in the context of selection to a university run public health nursing educational programme was explored. Design: The evaluation was framed by a qualitative exploratory design involving semistructured interviews and a group exercise. Data were thematically analysed. Sample: Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with selection panel members. Twenty-two successful candidates took part in a group exercise. Results: Whilst candidates were ambivalent about the use of photo elicitation interviews, with some misunderstanding the task, selection panel members saw the benefits for improving candidate expression and reducing gaming and deception. Situational interview questions were endorsed by candidates and selection panel members due to their fidelity to real life problems and the ability of panel members to discern value congruence from candidates’ responses