28 Nursing Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

Nursing assistants are vital to hospitals and other medical facilities. That is why hiring them is a huge responsibility.

A nursing assistant interview is designed to gauge what the applicant can offer in terms of personal care.

Most questions will be job-specific and some will focus on the passion of the applicant.

Since the nursing profession requires compassion, it is imperative for nursing assistants to show their consideration for patients’ well-being during the interview.

Related: Nursing Assistant Resume Sample

How to Prepare for a Nursing Assistant Interview?

Preparing for the interview requires finding out what the employer is looking for in a nursing assistant.

You will need to review the job description provided by the employer, as well as your resume and cover letter before appearing in the interview.

View the following common nursing assistant interview questions and answers:

Nursing Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing?

The noble nature of the nursing profession deeply resonates with me, particularly the opportunity to assist individuals when they are most vulnerable. My passion for caregiving and a genuine interest in medical science directed me towards a rewarding career as a nursing assistant.

2. Can you give us a brief summary of your professional background?

With five years of hands-on experience as a nursing assistant, I find great fulfillment in my role. I am eager to continue expanding my abilities to contribute positively to patient health and recovery.

3. How did you come across our job opening?

While searching for career opportunities on indeed.com, I encountered your job listing. It perfectly matched my skill set and professional aspirations, prompting me to apply.

4. What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

My diverse expertise in personalized nursing care, patient hygiene, vital signs monitoring, and maintaining sanitary patient environments sets me apart. Additionally, I excel in gathering patient information and conducting preliminary examinations to ensure top-notch care, demonstrating my commitment to patient health.

5. What duties have you previously carried out as a nursing assistant?

My previous duties spanned a broad range, including but not limited to:

• Assisting with daily living activities such as toileting and grooming
• Monitoring and documenting vital signs
• Promptly responding to patient calls and inquiries
• Managing nutritional needs by measuring and recording intake and output
• Carefully noting and reporting patient behaviors, complaints, and symptoms for clinical review

6. What would you consider your greatest strength?

Patience is undoubtedly my greatest asset. Being patient is crucial in the nursing field and allows me to maintain a composed demeanor under pressure, ensuring effective care even in stressful situations.

7. What do you perceive as your biggest weakness?

My tendency towards perfectionism is a double-edged sword; while it drives me to excel, I also recognize the importance of setting realistic goals and have been cultivating a more pragmatic approach to my professional responsibilities.

8. What contributions can we anticipate from you in the first quarter of employment?

I am prepared to become an immediate contributor to your team, adopting cases with professionalism and making significant improvements in the provision of patient care.

9. What keeps you motivated in your work?

The well-being of my patients is my intrinsic motivator. Delivering care with adherence to procedures and witnessing positive patient outcomes propels my motivation.

10. Reflect on the most difficult decision you’ve had to make recently.

Recently, I encountered an ethical dilemma regarding whether to report a colleague’s misconduct. After careful consideration, I followed the protocol to ensure professional integrity.

11. How do you manage emotional connections with patients in a professional setting?

While empathy is essential, I maintain professional boundaries to avoid emotional attachment, preventing any potential compromise in judgment and care quality.

12. On a scale from 1 to 10, how would you rate your skills?

Currently, I would place myself at a 7, recognizing that there is a continuous learning curve in nursing, with ample room for growth and improvement.

13. Describe your approach to handling emergencies.

In emergency situations, I act swiftly and decisively, prioritizing patient safety and adhering to established emergency protocols to deliver immediate care.

14. Share an accomplishment that fills you with pride.

One particularly memorable achievement was recognizing the early signs of cardiac arrest in a patient on my first day post-training, which allowed me to intervene timely and save their life.

15. What positive change have you brought to your current workplace?

I proposed the digitalization of patient charts, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of patient care documentation. This suggestion was swiftly implemented, creating a lasting impact on our healthcare delivery.

16. How capable are you of providing emotional support to patients?

I excel in offering emotional support, being an attentive listener and offering comforting words to help patients and their families cope with their situations.

17. In your opinion, how crucial is educating patients about their health conditions?

Patient education is of paramount importance. It empowers patients with knowledge about their condition and equips them with the tools needed to manage their health proactively.

18. What precautions do you take while transferring patients?

Safety is paramount when transferring patients. I ensure that each patient is securely fastened in wheelchairs or on stretchers, safeguarding their well-being throughout the transport process.

19. Can you describe your experience liaising with laboratories?

Throughout my career, I have been responsible for collecting, handling, and transporting samples like blood and urine, as well as following up on lab results and interpreting them with a preliminary evaluation.

20. How do you deal with challenges or difficult situations?

I have generally experienced smooth sailing in my career. Nevertheless, I am prepared to embrace challenges with determination and confidence that I will persevere.

21. Describe your experience in managing medical inventory.

I am adept at managing nursing supply inventories, ensuring essentials such as dressing packs and treatment trays are adequately stocked and secure.

22. What is your proficiency with medical equipment setup?

I have extensive competence in preparing, calibrating, and utilizing various medical devices and equipment, furthering patient care efficacy.

23. How would you respond upon suspecting a doctor of malpractice?

If confronted with potential malpractice, I am committed to following the necessary reporting procedures to address such serious concerns.

24. Tell us about your involvement with patients who have disabilities.

Currently, I provide direct care to comatose patients, administering therapeutic treatments, reflecting my capacity to support patients with significant disabilities.

25. Do you believe ongoing training is important for a nursing assistant?

Continuous training is essential for nursing assistants to stay current with best practices and ensure the highest standard of patient care is consistently provided.

26. What insights do you have on chronic illnesses?

An increasing portion of my patient care experience includes managing chronic conditions such as MS and Lupus, requiring frequent hospitalizations and comprehensive treatment plans.

27. How do you distinguish between managing chronic and acute illnesses?

Chronic and acute illnesses require distinctly different approaches; the former necessitates ongoing, often lifelong management, while the latter demands rapid, immediate intervention.

28. What professional goals have you set for the next five years?

Over the next five years, I aim to leverage my experience and knowledge gained on the job to advance towards a nurse manager position.