You completed your certified nursing assistant (CNA) course and passed your exam. Amazing! Now you’re ready to find a CNA job and embark on your new journey.
If you’re feeling nervous about potential CNA interview questions and answers, be assured that is totally normal. You can look over this list of common interview questions to help you prepare for your next one and calm your nerves.
Landing a nursing assistant role with ShiftMed can be an exciting opportunity to join a leading healthcare staffing company. However, standing out amongst other qualified candidates during the ShiftMed interview process requires thoughtful preparation.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top 25 most commonly asked ShiftMed nursing assistant interview questions along with tips on how to craft winning responses. Whether you’re a novice interviewee or a seasoned nursing professional, these insights can help you highlight your strengths and maximize your chances of securing the job.
Overview of ShiftMed
Founded in 2013 ShiftMed is a healthcare staffing platform that connects qualified nursing professionals to facilities in need of skilled staff. The company focuses primarily on travel nursing and aims to provide flexibility to both nurses and healthcare providers through their on-demand staffing model.
ShiftMed serves over 125 healthcare partners across the United States. For nursing assistants specifically, the company offers opportunities to work variable, part-time shifts at clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and other facilities that need temporary coverage.
Why Prepare for ShiftMed Nursing Assistant Interview Questions?
Preparing for your ShiftMed interview starts with understanding the kind of skills and attributes the company looks for in candidates for nursing assistant roles.
As a fast-paced healthcare staffing agency, ShiftMed seeks nursing assistants who:
- Have strong clinical skills along with experience providing compassionate patient care
- Are comfortable working flexible, variable schedules including nights, weekends and holidays
- Can communicate effectively and work collaboratively within a team
- Are organized and detail-oriented with documentation and time management
- Are eager to learn and adapt readily to new healthcare settings and systems
With these requirements in mind, the ShiftMed interview focuses on evaluating candidates’ technical proficiencies along with soft skills like bedside manner, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Doing your research on ShiftMed’s values and culture and practicing responses to common nursing assistant interview questions can help you stand out amongst promising applicants.
Top 25 ShiftMed Nursing Assistant Interview Questions and Answers
Here are the top 25 most frequently asked ShiftMed nursing assistant interview questions along with tips on how to thoughtfully respond:
1. Why are you interested in working as a nursing assistant with ShiftMed?
This opening question allows you to explain your motivation for pursuing this opportunity. Share why you find ShiftMed’s mission meaningful and how the role aligns with your career goals. Explain what excites you about the prospect of joining the company.
Sample Response: I’m drawn to ShiftMed because of your commitment to providing flexible healthcare staffing options that benefit both patients and medical professionals. As a nursing assistant, I would relish the opportunity to expand my skills and exposure by supporting different facilities in need of staff. ShiftMed’s model offers variety and lets me play a meaningful role in helping to fill gaps in patient care – that really resonates with my passion for nursing.
2. What do you know about ShiftMed and our approach to healthcare staffing?
Interviewers want to gauge your interest in the company and how much you know about their offerings. Be sure to visit their website and research ShiftMed’s background, mission, values and nursing assistant job openings. Highlight your understanding of their on-demand staffing model and focus on flexibility.
Sample Response: From my research, I understand that ShiftMed aims to transform healthcare staffing by connecting facilities to a network of credentialed nursing professionals on an on-demand basis. Your technology platform and emphasis on flexibility enables both nurses and healthcare employers to fill gaps in coverage when they arise. I’m impressed by your managed marketplace approach and rapid growth in supporting over 125 partners nationwide. The opportunity to join ShiftMed is appealing given your commitment to empowering nurses with flexible job options.
3. Why do you want to work as a nursing assistant specifically?
Use this question to explain your motivation for choosing a nursing assistant career path. Share any relevant experiences that sparked your interest and speak about the rewards of supporting patients hands-on. Convey your passion for the role.
Sample Response: I was drawn to become a nursing assistant after volunteering at a local hospital during high school. I found the patient interactions extremely rewarding and discovered I have an aptitude for providing compassionate, skilled care. My favorite part of being a nursing assistant is having the opportunity to spend time with patients, ensure their comfort, and support their healthcare team. I’m committed to pursuing a nursing career because I find it fulfilling to play an integral role in someone’s care and recovery journey.
4. How does your past experience make you a strong candidate for this nursing assistant role with ShiftMed?
Use this opportunity to highlight your clinical background and most relevant nursing assistant experience. Focus on skills that align closely with the ShiftMed role like patient care, communication, documentation, time management and adaptability. Quantify your experience when possible.
Sample Response: With 3 years experience as a nursing assistant across various healthcare settings, I’ve developed clinical expertise in areas that directly translate to the ShiftMed role. In my previous nursing home position, I honed my skills in patient communication, documentation and medications management while adhering to strict clinical guidelines. I also have experience adapting quickly to new facilities, having supported shifts at 3 different hospitals last year as needed. My background has prepared me to thrive as a ShiftMed nursing assistant and provide quality patient-centered care in diverse settings.
5. How would you describe your approach to patient care?
This question allows you to highlight your bedside manner, empathy and commitment to delivering excellent nursing care. Share examples of how you get to know patients in order to provide individualized care tailored to their needs.
Sample Response: My patient care philosophy is to treat every individual with dignity, respect and compassion. I make it a priority to introduce myself, build trust and rapport, and listen closely to each patient’s needs. One tactic I use is asking questions about their interests so I can connect with them on a personal level while providing medical care. My goal is to gain an understanding of the whole person in order to make them as comfortable and confident in their treatment as possible. Patient-centered care and skilled communication are crucial to the work I do every day.
6. How would you handle a difficult or abusive patient?
Healthcare roles inevitably involve interacting with challenging patients. Hiring managers want to know you can remain calm and professional in these situations. Emphasize patience, understanding tone and de-escalation techniques.
Sample Response: When faced with a difficult or abusive patient, I use compassionate communication to diffuse tensions and refocus on care. I would listen calmly to their concerns, empathize with their frustrations, and use an even, understanding tone even if their behavior is inappropriate. If needed, I would step away and ask a supervisor or doctor to assist with assessing if the patient requires medical or psychiatric care. My aim is always to address the underlying cause with patience rather than reacting negatively, so I can provide the best possible care.
7. How do you keep yourself organized when handling multiple tasks and patients?
Nursing assistants must juggle various duties and prioritize effectively. Discuss tools and strategies you use for time management and organization under pressure. Demonstrate self-awareness.
Sample Response: Organization is crucial when multi-tasking the various needs of different patients. I stay on top of my responsibilities through detailed shift preparation, to-do lists and savvy time management. Prioritizing urgent patient issues and clustering less pressing tasks together helps streamline my workflow. I also communicate closely with my team to manage handoffs smoothly. Awareness of my strengths and limitations enables me to recognize when I could benefit from guidance managing my workload. My system helps ensure every patient receives excellent care even during hectic shifts.
8. Tell us about a time you made a medical error. How did you handle it?
Medical errors are inevitable, so interviewers want to assess your accountability, integrity and learning from mistakes. Keep your example minor and outline the actions taken post-error focusing on transparency, communication and preventative measures.
Sample Response: Early in my career as a nursing assistant, I made an error in recording a patient’s medication dose. As soon as I realized my mistake, I immediately informed the nurse supervisor and doctor on duty and apologized sincerely. I took accountability and was transparent about exactly what happened to understand how the process broke down. During a follow-up discussion, I outlined suggestions to add an additional verification step, which the facility implemented. This experience taught me the importance of owning mistakes in order to improve processes and avoid repeated errors.
9. How do you stay up-to-date on best practices for nursing care?
Lifelong learning is key in healthcare. Discuss proactive efforts you take to continue building your skills and expanding your knowledge as a nursing assistant. Mention seminars, certifications, facility trainings and networking.
Sample Response: To excel as a nursing assistant, I make ongoing learning a priority through taking certification courses, attending seminars, reading industry publications and networking with peers. I completed my Fundamentals of Nursing Care certification last year, which introduced me to new patient treatment guidelines. Whenever I encounter unfamiliar care scenarios on the job, I research best practices after my shift and discuss with teammates to improve moving forward. Staying current ensures I can provide the safest, highest quality care to every patient.
10. How do you respond when a patient or family member makes an
How do you handle difficult patients?
Working with people at their most vulnerable means you will encounter many difficult emotions and behaviors. Employers ask this question to see how you’ll navigate those.
How You Might Answer
“When people are scared and in pain, they don’t always act as their best selves. I understand that. I practice empathy when my patients are feeling frustrated and projecting their fears. I find that effective communication allows me to get to the heart of a patient’s true concern.
One patient yelled at me and called me lazy because I didn’t answer their call light right away when they needed to go to the bathroom. I told them, “That must have been awful to have to go and depend on someone else.” I was helping another person, and came as fast as I could. How about we make a game plan for the future?’’’.
What is a CNA responsible for?
This question is asked to ensure that you understand the job description and role. This is a great opportunity to mirror the job posting and use the same language. If they are specifically looking for a CNA with excellent communication skills, relay yours here.
How You Might Answer
“As a CNA, my priority is patient care. I am responsible for assisting patients with their daily living activities, like toileting, changing clothes, and brushing teeth. It is also my duty to provide timely communication with RNs. So, if I check a patient’s vital signs and see that their blood pressure is high, I need to tell the RN right away. ”.
Top 25 Interview Questions for Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
FAQ
Why should we hire you as a CNA answers?
How to answer tell me about yourself in a CNA interview?
How do you answer a nursing assistant interview question?
Interviewers pose this question to ensure that you have a clear understanding of the nursing assistant role, its responsibilities, and the value it brings to patient care. When answering, draw from your knowledge and experience to describe the role accurately.
What should you expect in a CNA interview?
Aleysia, a certified nursing assistant (CNA), explains what you can expect in a CNA interview process with example answers to common interview questions. Interviewers also ask questions to assess your relevant professional background and level of experience.
How do I prepare for a nursing assistant interview?
Their compassion, professionalism, and strong interpersonal skills are essential for ensuring high-quality patient care and an efficient healthcare environment. To help you effectively prepare for your Nursing Assistant interview, we have compiled a list of common questions that may be asked by potential employers.
What do Interviewers look for in a nursing assistant?
Interviewers want to understand your passion and dedication to the healthcare field, as well as what drives you to pursue a career as a nursing assistant. Knowing your motivation helps them evaluate if you’re a good fit for the role and if you’re likely to remain committed to providing quality care to patients, even in challenging situations.
