20+ Best Interview Questions for Certified Nurse Assistant

A certified nurse assistant is sometimes simply known as a nurse assistant and will work under the supervision of a registered nurse in order to help with day-to-day tasks such as aiding inpatient care.

For some people, this is a way of working their way up in the medical profession and may use the job role as a stepping stone, whereas other people see being a certified nurse assistant as their ideal job role.

But whatever your reasons for applying for this type of nursing job, you should be prepared to answer some very specific interview questions for certified nurse assistants.

It is always important to be confident when giving an answer to any questions asked in your certified nurse assistant interview and being clear and concise is another vital aspect to consider.

Whilst some employers may only ask a few select questions, others may take a more in-depth approach, and being prepared for both scenarios is equally important.

In this article, we will be looking at some of the most commonly asked interview questions for certified nurse assistants as well as giving you some inspiration for answers you might give.

Table of Contents

Nurse assistant interview questions

Interview questions for certified nurse assistant - What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Some of the common questions that you can expect to be asked when attending a nurse assistant job interview may be as follows:

What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What would you do if a patient was to refuse care?
What made you want to become a certified nurse assistant?
Could you tell us about a time when you had to do something challenging and how you succeeded in this?
Please explain a time when you had to deal with a difficult patient.
What duties do you expect to perform in this job role?
What would you do in the case of suspected patient abuse?
How would you enter the room of a patient?
What can you offer this company as a certified nurse assistant that others may not?

Those were the top 9 interview questions for certified nurse assistants. Further down in this article, we will give you examples of how to answer some of these.

See also: Interview Questions for Nurses

By law, there are some questions that the potential employer is not allowed to ask.

These relate to your personal life and might include things such as asking you about any disabilities, if you have children or what your religious beliefs are.

The potential employer should only ask you questions relating to your qualifications and ability to do the job you are applying for.

See also: Top 10 Qualities of a Nurse

As well as being asked questions during an interview, you will likely have the opportunity to ask questions of your own.

Often times when we are asked ‘Do you have any questions?’, we find ourselves saying that we don’t, however, in a job interview, it can reflect in a very positive light if you answer yes to this question.

Some of the things you might consider asking could be as follows:

Are there any education programs available?
Could I take a tour of the facility?
Could I have some information on the orientation process?
What can I expect from a typical day working here?
What is the patient to staff ratio?

Now you know the basic interview questions for certified nurse assistants. Next, we will take a closer look at the specific questions and the best answers to those.

If these were not enough, check out this thorough video of interview questions for certified nurse assistants.

Video made by: CareerVidz

If you rather prefer information provided in text format, just keep on reading.

Nurse assistant interview questions and answers

Now that you are prepared for some of the questions that may be asked of you during your interview, we are going to look at some possible answers that you might give.

Whilst some questions can be answered in a more general sense, there are some which require the addition of your own personal flair such as talking about how you dealt with a difficult patient in the past.

What are strengths and weaknesses?

When asked this question it is important to be confident without coming across as arrogant.

The question will give you the opportunity to explain your strengths and how you think they might be of benefit within the job role

For example, if you are a particularly empathetic person you might explain how this would more easily allow you to understand your patients.

When it comes to talking about your weaknesses, you should not shy away from finding at least one.

Whilst you may think that this is counterproductive in gaining employment, admitting that there are areas you could improve on is an admirable quality.

Therefore selecting a weakness that you could improve on is an excellent idea.

You might talk about how you sometimes try to help too much and you believe that this job will allow you to take a step back and assess where the patient does need help and where they might be able to cope on their own.

What would you do if a patient were to refuse care?

This question allows you to talk about your reasoning skills and how you are able to stay calm in a difficult situation.

You might speak about how you would listen to the concerns of the patient and calmly explain why you think it would be beneficial to accept treatment.

You can also use this as an opportunity to explain that you would ensure that the patient is given all the relevant information surrounding treatment and feels safe and at ease.

What made you want to become a CNA?

When asked this question you are given the chance to add a little of your own personality, perhaps talking about an experience with a CNA that encouraged you to enter into the role yourself.

You might also use this as an opportunity to talk about your knowledge and passion for the job, showing your commitment and determination.

See also: Is Nursing for Me With a Quiz

Could you tell us about a time when you had to do something challenging and how you succeeded in this?

Even if the time you decide to talk about was not successful, this question will give you the chance to explain small successes within it.

Showing your potential employer that you handle difficult times in a calm, collected manner can go a long way in painting yourself in a good light.

You should focus on what the challenge was and what you did to overcome it.

Please explain about a time you had to deal with a difficult patient

Being a CNA, there are bound to be times when you will have to work with difficult patients, and being able to handle this in the correct way is extremely important.

Your potential employer will be looking to see that you can remain calm in a stressful situation and follow the right procedures should you have to involve authorities.

Talking about an instance in which you handled a difficult patient should refer to how you manage stress, how you approach a difficult patient with understanding and compassion, and how you find resolution in a difficult situation.

There are still 4 important interview questions for certified nurse assistants left so keep on reading.

What duties do you expect to perform in this job role?

It is important to show the interviewer that you are prepared for the job role and understand what will be expected of you.

Aside from the general aspects such as arriving on time and being courteous, you should focus on the specific duties of a CNA.

These might include cleaning up after patients, distributing medicines, and dressing wounds.

What would you do in the case of suspected patient abuse?

Answering this question will allow you to reveal your discretion and sensitivity to pressing issues but will also demonstrate your responsibility.

See also: Responsibility of a Nurse

As a CNA, you will be expected to alert those higher than you of any suspected abuse of a patient and by doing so you will show your willingness to comply with the code of conduct as well as display your personal morals.

Two more interview questions for certified nurse assistants to go.

How would you enter the room of a patient?

This is an important question because it allows you to demonstrate respect and understanding of your patients.

You might choose to talk about knocking on the door and announcing your presence, or asking if it is OK to enter.

You might explain how you would introduce yourself to a new patient or ask them if there is anything you can do for them aside from the tasks you already have set out.

What can you offer this company as a certified nurse assistant that others may not?

Here is your opportunity to sell yourself to the interviewer.

Again, it is important not to cross the line from confident to cocky, but you are free to talk about what sets you apart from other candidates.

You might talk about your vast experience in the field or your extended education or you may talk about how your personality makes you ideal for this job.

These were the last interview questions for certified nurse assistants.

Conclusion: Interview questions for certified nurse assistant

Attending an interview for the position of a certified nurse assistant can be somewhat overwhelming and a little intimidating.

However, by being prepared and understanding the questions that may be asked of you, you will feel much more at ease and will be able to answer these questions more freely.

It is important to not only sell yourself as someone who is more than qualified to undertake the role but whose personality will bring that little something extra special to this type of care.

In addition, it is also important to remember that you will be given the opportunity to ask questions of your own and in doing so will show your curiosity to learn more and your passion for the job you are about to hopefully begin.

Now you know all the important interview questions for certified nurse assistants with answers. Good luck with your interview!

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Interview Questions for Certified Nurse Assistant