Nursing Assistant - Med/Surg Superior
Posted Sep 10, 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 small about a patient that turned out to matter.
What they are checking: Whether they pay attention to changes in skin, eating, mood or behavior, because aides see patients most often.
Tell me about a time you worked with a difficult patient or family member.
What they are checking: Whether they stay patient and kind under stress and know when to bring in the nurse.
What would you do
You take a patient's vitals and their heart rate is much higher than at the last check. What do you do?
What they are checking: Whether they report changes to the RN promptly instead of assuming someone else will notice, which is central to this role.
You have five call lights on at once. How do you decide who to go to first?
What they are checking: Whether they prioritize safety risks like a fall risk getting up or a patient in pain over routine requests.
A confused patient keeps trying to get out of bed and pull at their IV. What do you do?
What they are checking: Whether they keep the patient safe, stay calm and alert the nurse rather than handling it alone or using restraints.
An RN asks you to do something you haven't been trained to do. How do you handle that?
What they are checking: Whether they speak up about their limits instead of guessing, which protects both the patient and themselves.
About the work
Walk me through how you'd safely move a patient from bed to chair who is weak after surgery.
What they are checking: Whether they assess before moving, use gait belts or lifts and ask for help, since transfers cause both patient falls and staff injuries.
How do you give personal care like bathing in a way that protects a patient's dignity?
What they are checking: Whether they think about privacy, explanation and choice, not just finishing the task quickly.
How do you help a patient with their meals when they have a special diet or trouble swallowing?
What they are checking: Whether they follow diet orders and aspiration precautions, which prevents choking and pneumonia on a med/surg floor.
Why is accurate recordkeeping important for intake, output and vital signs?
What they are checking: Whether they understand nurses and providers make decisions from these numbers, so a guess or a late entry has real effects.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Essentia Health.