Resources
Post a Job
 Special offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a £100 credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored Jobs posted directly on Indeed are 65% more likely to report a hire than non-sponsored jobs**
  • Visibility for hard-to-fill roles through branding and urgently hiring
  • Instantly source candidates through matching to expedite your hiring
  • Access skilled candidates to cut down on mismatched hires
*The £100 Sponsored Job credit offer is only available for new accounts in the UK that post a job and expires one year after account creation. Upon expiration of the credit, users are charged based on Sponsored Job budget. Terms, conditions and quality standards apply **Indeed data, United Kingdom, Q2 2024

Nursing Assistant Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated 30 January 2025
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Nursing Assistant interview questions and answers.

  1. What would you do if a patient became aggressive? See answer
  2. What personality traits do you think all nursing assistants need? See answer
  3. How do you build relationships with other healthcare professionals? See answer
  4. What would you do if you saw a patient being treated poorly by another healthcare professional? See answer
  5. Are you comfortable lifting, bathing, and assisting patients with using the bathroom? See answer
  6. Describe a time you went above and beyond for a patient. See answer
  7. Why do you want to work at this healthcare facility? See answer
  8. What would you do if you had a conflict with a doctor or nurse? See answer
  9. How would you describe your bedside manner? See answer
  10. What have you done in the past year to further your skills? See answer
  11. Why did you decide to become a nursing assistant?
  12. What would you do if a patient requested medication the doctor hadn’t prescribed?
  13. How do you keep patient records organised?
  14. What is the most challenging aspect of being a nursing assistant?
  15. What are your long-term career goals?
Show more questions Show fewer questions

Ready to get started?

Post a job

Ready to get started?

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Nursing Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

Why did you decide to become a 10736727nursing assistant7.16nhs4.66trainee4.04nhs vacancies3.29animal2.6148281114212000.0025170.8338000.00YEARLY17106012025-09-012025-09-302025-08-012025-08-312025-10-05Nursing Assistant?

Nursing assistants handle a lot of challenging tasks and every candidate's motivation differs, but this question provides insight into what inspires them. The goal of this question is to determine how passionate a candidate is about the role. It can also reveal a candidate's long-term career goals and whether they understand the role. What to look for in an answer:

  • Eagerness to learn new skills and provide support wherever needed
  • Enthusiasm for nursing and patient care
  • Understanding of the role's duties and responsibilities
Example:

"I became a nursing assistant because I've always been interested in helping others. I have a lot of empathy and want to make a difference by caring for those who can't care for themselves. As a nursing assistant, I get to help people in different ways. I make the lives of doctors and nurses easier and provide quality care for patients."

What would you do if a patient became aggressive?

Patients can be unpredictable, and nursing assistants have to be ready for challenging situations. This question evaluates a candidate's ability to act quickly and protect patients, themselves, and others around them. What to look for in an answer:

  • Calm and collected in emergencies
  • Conflict resolution and problem solving skills
  • Prepared for the challenges of the role
Example:

"I always monitor my patients' moods during care. I'm very good at deescalating situations and calming patients down, but sometimes their reactions are out of my control. If a patient became aggressive, I'd call for support from another healthcare professional. I would also try to isolate the patient to avoid putting anyone else at risk until help arrived."

What personality traits do you think all nursing assistants need?

10736727nursing assistant7.16nhs4.66trainee4.04nhs vacancies3.29animal2.6148281114212000.0025170.8338000.00YEARLY17106012025-09-012025-09-302025-08-012025-08-312025-10-05Nursing Assistants spend their time caring for others, which requires a lot of dedication and selflessness. This question assesses the candidate's key personality traits, their priorities, and whether they're suited for the role. What to look for in an answer:

  • Empathy, compassion, and patience
  • Ability to emphasise which of their personality traits suit the position
  • Interpersonal skills and ability to take direction
Example:

"I think some key personality traits for nursing assistants include empathy and compassion. It's also important to be a team player, as we work with other healthcare professionals and need to communicate clearly. I also think being patient and observant is an asset in this role."

How do you build relationships with other healthcare professionals?

Building working relationships with coworkers is vital in creating a healthy workplace culture. This question assesses the candidate's interpersonal skills and whether they're a good fit for the existing team. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interpersonal skills
  • Shared company and team values
  • Interest in building meaningful working relationships
Example:

"I've always enjoyed working as part of a team. I'm very outgoing and I love getting to know new people. I ask a lot of questions about others and look for things we have in common. In my experience, this builds trust and mutual respect, making us a more effective team."

What would you do if you saw a patient being treated poorly by another healthcare professional?

Nursing assistants need to prioritise patient well-being at all times. This question aims to determine a candidate's ethics, morals, and how they handle workplace conflict. What to look for in an answer:

  • Conflict resolution skills
  • Ability to identify mistreatment and act accordingly
  • Responsibility
Example:

"If I saw a patient was being mistreated, I'd step in right away. I'd separate my colleague from the patient and ensure the patient was okay. I'd then speak to my coworker about their behaviour and express my concerns. I would also escalate the issue to the nurse manager or another superior as soon as possible."

Are you comfortable lifting, bathing, and assisting patients with using the bathroom?

Nursing assistants require a moderate level of physical fitness for tasks that sometimes involve lifting or moving patients. This question evaluates a candidate's understanding of common tasks and how they manage them. What to look for in an answer:

  • Physical fitness to perform standard care tasks
  • Empathy and patience
  • Ability to maintain patients' dignity
Example:

"I know being a 10736727nursing assistant7.16nhs4.66trainee4.04nhs vacancies3.29animal2.6148281114212000.0025170.8338000.00YEARLY17106012025-09-012025-09-302025-08-012025-08-312025-10-05Nursing Assistant isn't always the most glamorous job. However, I followed this career path because I want to help people, and these tasks are just part of that process. I'm strong enough to lift and assist patients with mobility and maintain an active lifestyle to stay fit. I know some patients feel embarrassed by these tasks, so I always try to lighten the mood with upbeat conversation."

What would you do if you had a conflict with a doctor or nurse?

The goal of this question is to evaluate how a candidate handles workplace conflicts, particularly with their superiors. What to look for in an answer:

  • Communication skills
  • Professionalism
  • Ability to maintain workplace relationships
Example:

"As a nursing assistant, I know doctors and nurses are more educated and experienced, so I value their opinions. However, workplace disagreements still happen from time to time. I always do my best to resolve conflicts and come to an agreement that works for both parties. No matter what the situation, I make sure it never negatively affects patient care."

What would you do if a patient requested medication the doctor hadn't prescribed?

The aim of this question is to assess a candidate's understanding of their role in the care team. They're responsible for following orders and assisting with a patient's care plan, which doesn't involve prescribing medication. What to look for in an answer:

  • Active listening skills
  • Ability to adhere to a doctor's or nurse's instructions
  • Responsibility
Example:

"I would never administer medication a doctor hadn't prescribed to a patient. If the patient was adamant about a certain medication, I would listen to their concerns and bring them to the doctor's attention. However, without explicit instruction, I would never deviate from the patient's care plan."

Describe a time you went above and beyond for a patient.

The goal of this question is to assess a candidate's passion for what they do and their dedication to the role. It can also reveal whether a candidate has experience in the same or a similar role. What to look for in an answer:

  • Relevant experience
  • Dedication to caregiving
  • Compassion
Example:

"In my previous role, one of my terminally ill patients told me they'd always wanted to learn how to play guitar. I know how to play a few songs, so I offered to help them learn a few chords. I stayed after my shift twice a week to sit with the patient and taught them to play a song. It was rewarding to see how proud they felt, and it kept them in good spirits through their treatment."

Why do you want to work at this healthcare facility?

An enthusiastic candidate has done some research. This question reveals whether the candidate prepared for the interview and how much they know about your facility. What to look for in an answer:

  • Basic knowledge of relevant details like the patient demographic
  • Enthusiasm about the role
  • Driven to work as a 10736727nursing assistant7.16nhs4.66trainee4.04nhs vacancies3.29animal2.6148281114212000.0025170.8338000.00YEARLY17106012025-09-012025-09-302025-08-012025-08-312025-10-05Nursing Assistant
Example:

"I love working with elderly patients and your facility is renowned for providing the best care. I'm inspired by your mission and want to join a team of professionals who are making a difference. I feel there's room for career growth here and I'm eager to learn from the team and develop my skills."

How do you keep nursing stations organised?

Nursing assistants are vital in keeping doctors and nurses organised. They need to manage patient records and ensure they're up to date, organised, and filed away. The aim of this question is to assess whether a candidate has sufficient organisational experience. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of their roles and responsibilities
  • Relevant administration experience or software proficiency
  • organisational skills
Example:

"In my previous role, I needed to check the nursing stations as soon as I arrived and again before I finished my shift. However, I made a point of checking them periodically throughout my shift to keep them in excellent condition. I'm also familiar with how to use electronic medical record (EMR) software to keep patient records neatly organised and accessible."

How would you describe your bedside manner?

This question evaluates whether a candidate has an approach that suits the facility and the rest of the team. Bedside manner can make or break a nursing assistant's relationship with a patient. What to look for in an answer:

  • Compassion
  • Confidence building relationships with patients
  • Active listening skills
Example:

"I have a very outgoing personality, and it extends to my relationship with patients and bedside manner. I want people to feel normal, respected, and like they can trust me. The more comfortable they feel, the more likely they are to be honest about how they feel and what they need."

What is the most challenging aspect of being a 10736727nursing assistant7.16nhs4.66trainee4.04nhs vacancies3.29animal2.6148281114212000.0025170.8338000.00YEARLY17106012025-09-012025-09-302025-08-012025-08-312025-10-05Nursing Assistant?

Ask this question to determine the candidate's understanding of the challenges they may face in the role. It can also assess their previous experience in similar positions. What to look for in an answer:

  • Dedicating to patient care regardless of circumstances
  • Ambitious and ready to overcome challenges
  • Awareness of the duties and responsibilities of the role
Example:

"I would say the most challenging part of being a nursing assistant is connecting with patients for short periods of time. Whether they get better and leave the facility, or spend their last days in my care, it's never easy."

What are your long-term career expectations?

This question evaluates whether a candidate plans to work at the facility long-term, and in what capacity. What to look for in an answer:

  • Commitment to employment in the healthcare industry
  • Desire to treat all patients with dignity, respect, and empathy
  • Long-term career planning
Example:

"I've been a nursing assistant for the past two years and really love what I do. I'm applying for a position within your facility because I share the same values and passion for helping patients in hospice care. I'm also interested in the career development opportunities here and can see myself advancing to a nursing role someday."

What have you done in the past year to further your skills?

This question gives the candidate an opportunity to shine and share any professional initiatives with you. What to look for in an answer:

  • Additional, relevant training
  • Ambition and desire to further career in the healthcare industry
  • Dedication to personal development
Example:

"I recently took a refresher course in CPR and first aid training. I also like to take part in remote learning opportunities. I'm currently completing an online course about hygiene and health services. I love learning and enjoy developing my professional knowledge and skill set."

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

Ready to get started?

Post a job

Explore Interview Questions by Title

No search results found

    Related articles

    How to conduct a job interview
    Read article
    Best practices for virtual interviews
    Read article
    How to write a candidate rejection email
    Read article