Certified Nursing Assistant - Inpatient - Med/Surg
Posted Sep 14, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
About your past
Tell me about a time you noticed something was wrong with a patient before anyone else did.
What they are checking: Observation skills and willingness to act on a hunch.
This is a part-time role of about 12 hours a week. How do you stay current on the unit when you're not there often?
What they are checking: Initiative in catching up on changes and keeping skills sharp with fewer shifts.
Tell me about a time a patient or family member was unhappy with care. How did you handle it?
What they are checking: Patience and getting the nurse involved when a concern needs more than the CNA can offer.
What would you do
Walk me through how you start a shift on a med-surg floor with a new set of patients.
What they are checking: Organization and getting report from the RN or LPN before starting care.
A post-op patient tells you their pain is much worse than an hour ago. What do you do?
What they are checking: Reporting changes to the nurse right away rather than reassuring and moving on.
A patient is upset and asks for spiritual support. How do you respond?
What they are checking: Attending to emotional and spiritual needs, which the posting includes, and knowing who to call.
Two call lights go on at once: one patient needs the bathroom, the other wants water. What do you do first?
What they are checking: Basic prioritization by safety and urgency.
About the work
How do you collect a urine or stool specimen correctly so it isn't rejected by the lab?
What they are checking: Proper non-invasive specimen collection and labeling, which the posting lists.
How do you clean equipment and dispose of biomedical waste safely?
What they are checking: Infection control habits and following policy on waste disposal.
What does working under the supervision of an RN or LPN look like for you day to day?
What they are checking: Understanding delegation and keeping the nurse informed about each patient.
How do you keep patients from falling on a busy floor?
What they are checking: Practical fall prevention like call light reach, bed alarms, footwear and frequent rounding.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Sanford Health.