CNA Interview Tips

The job of a certified nursing assistant (CNA) is important and rewarding. While there will continue to be many CNA jobs, it is important to be prepared when interviewing for one of those jobs.

CNA job candidates should be prepared with the following information:

1. The date/time and location of the interview (most likely the nursing home or hospital at which you will be working)
2. The name and title of the person conducting the interview (most likely the director of nurses)
3. Copies of current state nursing assistant certification
4. A current resume
5. List of current vaccinations and any recent tuberculosis test results
6. References from previous employers, instructors or patients
7. Recommendations from patients and/or their families
8. A copy of the job listing, if available

Grooming

CNA candidates should be neatly and cleanly dressed in “business casual” attire rather than scrubs. That is, men should wear clean trousers and a collared shirt. Women may wear trousers or skirt with a business appropriate shirt, or a dress. Leather shoes are appropriate for men and women rather than the nursing shoes or athletic shoes worn on the job. Hair should be neatly groomed as it would be on the job. Body piercings and tattoos should be covered or minimized. Jewelry should not be distracting.

Sponsored Links
Certificate Programs

Earn a Certificate Online in Your Field of Choice. Learn More Today.
Phoenix.edu/Certificates

What to expect

If the position is for a hospital or nursing home, you will probably meet the director of nurses (DON) and the human resources director. You will be given a tour of the facility, especially the unit to which you will be assigned. While taking the tour, notice whether the staff seems friendly, whether the facility seems clean and well-organized, and whether the patients seem satisfied with their care.

If applying for a private duty position in a person’s home, you will likely meet the patient. This is an opportunity to see whether it will be a good patient/caregiver relationship.

If applying for a home health care agency position, you will likely meet the director of nurses in a standard job interview setting.

Interview Questions

Expect the following questions and be able to answer them honestly and completely.

1. Why are you the best CNA for the job?
2. What do enjoy about being a CNA?
3. What do you least enjoy about being a CNA?
4. Do you know how to take vital signs?
5. May we contact your current employer (and your references)?
6. Have you ever worked for a nursing home (or hospital, home-care agency, hospice, depending on the employer)?
7. Have you ever been disciplined or fired from a CNA job (and if so, why)?
8. Why did you leave your past position?
9. What do you hope to be doing five years from now?

Questions From the Applicant

You will be given an opportunity to ask questions. If they are not addressed by the interviewer, ask for such information as:

1. How many patients you can expect to care for each shift?
2. How many other staff members will be working with you?
3. What advancement opportunities are there?
4. How many facilities would you be required to work at?
5. What is the training/probation period?

Do not ask:

1. About time-off policies, vacation or pay rates. These will be addressed during the hiring process. Asking them now makes a job applicant look selfish rather than a team player.
2. Race/gender makeup of the patients and staff.

Considerations

Because CNAs provide most of the hands-on patient care, your interviewer needs to know that you are professional, responsible and compassionate. It is important to show that you can provide excellent care with bathing, toileting, transferring and reporting. Be sure to list additional skills you may have learned from previous positions, such as wound care.

Warning

Conditions at medical facilities, especially hospitals and nursing homes, can be vastly different from one shift to the next. Even if you are applying for an afternoon or night-shift position, your interview is very likely to take place during the day shift. Before accepting a position, try to visit the facility during the shift you will be working and assess whether conditions are acceptable to you.