How to Nail Your CNA Interview Questions

You’ve made it through all of your training and have received your CNA certification. Now what? It’s time to start going through job interviews and officially working as a CNA. The problem is getting through those CNA interview questions. 

Arriving at a CNA interview unprepared is not a wise idea. It’s a smart idea to think through what you’re going to say ahead of time. This way, you can provide honest, but thoughtful answers. Here are a few general interview questions that you can prepare for ahead of time. 

Potential Certified Nursing Assistant Interview Questions

Most interviews will ask general questions about strengths and weaknesses, where you see yourself in five years, and so on. Those questions are easy to predict and prepare for. The tricky questions are the Certified Nursing Assistant-specific questions. The questions below and variations of them are the ones you will most likely come across. It’s important to note that these questions won’t be the only ones asked. 

Why Did You Decide to Become a CNA?

Be genuine when you answer this question. It’s okay to tell your story here. Highlight your personal traits that will guide your interactions with patients. Talk about how your strengths will help you as a CNA. You should also use this answer to demonstrate your knowledge of the role and your compassion toward others. 

What Sets You Apart from Others Who Have Applied?

Your interviewer wants the best, most talented person for the job. They will be sifting through many CNA applications before choosing a candidate. Take the time to highlight your educational achievements and point out any specialized training you may have received. Discuss how the extra training you have had will apply to the job. If you are fresh out of school without work experience, you can talk about how you handled the stress of classes and training.

What if Some Patients are Difficult?

This question is posed to see how you might react in a tough or emergency situation. Being a CNA means thinking on your feet while facing difficult situations. You need to show the interviewer how you might turn a hard situation into a more positive one. 

Demonstrate good communication, people management skills, and dedication to helping patients. Many patients act out due to fear or some other underlying emotion. Show the interviewer that you are capable of emotional intelligence and reading changes in temperament. 

Other Important Certified Nurse Assistant Questions to Consider

The above questions will be your most common questions asked in an interview. But, they won’t be the only ones. It’s important to prepare for a range of questions so you won’t be blindsided during the interview. Other questions you might be asked in a certified nurse assistant interview are:

• Why did you leave your last organization?

• • • Be delicate when you answer this one. Don’t badmouth your previous employer, it reflects more poorly on you than it does on them. 

• How will you prioritize different tasks when all of them are important?

• • • Brush up on some time management skills to help you answer this one.

• Can you cooperate with other nurses and doctors?

• • • Teamwork is essential to working in the medical field. Think carefully about how you can demonstrate your ability to work well with other professionals. 

• Being a CNA will be very stressful, how will you manage these situations?

• • • This is another chance to demonstrate emotional intelligence and your ability to manage your feelings. 

• Do you have a future plan to further your education?

• • • Be honest and genuine about your plan. Hospitals need both people who are happy with their careers and those who want to continue climbing upward.

• What is your greatest achievement to date?

• • • Make your answer relevant to the role you are interviewing for. 

• Describe a tough situation you have faced in the past and how you overcame it.

• • Use this as another chance to demonstrate any strengths you might have. 

Get the CNA Job You Want with CynaMed

If you are looking for healthcare jobs in the greater Pittsburgh area, CynaMed matches professionals with medical facilities. Whether you are an LPN, RN, CNA, or Medication Technician, we are here to help you find what you need. Contact us to learn more and check out more valuable interview questions.