If you’ve decided to become a certified nursing assistant, or CNA, you’ve made a smart decision. It is well-known that the CNA field has and will continue to experience significant growth as the American population ages and elderly care needs increase. But just because CNAs are in demand does not mean you will automatically get the job of your choice. It is important to prepare yourself adequately for your job interview, as you would for any other position, especially if you do not have any professional experience.
You will want to make a list of all the kinds of patients you have worked with, and all the tasks you know how to perform. Even if you have only gone through your CNA training and do not have any work experience, the hands-on practice you completed during your classes may have included diverse populations – such as elderly, disabled, or comatose patients – which you will want to keep in mind for the interview.
Common interview questions include those kinds of questions which are frequently asked in any job interview – what is your definition of punctuality? Why do you want to work here? Give an example of a time when you needed to resolve a challenge or be flexible or adaptable. You should prepare for these kinds of questions with one or two examples each.
There are also questions which are specific to the CNA profession. Your potential employer might ask you to describe your understanding of the primary responsibilities of a CNA. Here, it is important to first acknowledge the necessary enthusiasm of a CNA towards patient care – that responsibility number one is to ensure adequate patient care, by working as the nurse’s eyes and ears. From there you can mention the actual categories of tasks that a CNA performs – personal hygiene, physical therapy, etc. Do not start listing every kind of task a CNA will do during an average day unless asked.
You may also be asked about specific kinds of nursing, such as restorative nursing or mental health care. The interviewer might ask you what you know about these fields, or what experience you have. Here it is important to be honest and acknowledge your lack of experience, but also your enthusiasm for learning more.
Another common interview question will likely be about medical ethics – privacy, discretion, and working with hospital and clinic hierarchies. Your potential employer wants to know that you are aware of the laws or rules regarding patient-family-provider interactions, and what your responsibilities are to your supervisors. In short, they want to be sure that you are not a lawsuit just waiting to happen. Be sure to carefully review and prepare for these kinds of questions, as an informed answer will demonstrate both competence and trustworthiness.
Finally, and once again – be honest. Do not invent experience that you do not have. Express at every opportunity your enthusiasm, work ethic, and desire to learn, and you will likely increase your chances of getting the CNA job you want.