Interview/hiring process for first time CNA?

[Kristen002]

Hello everyone,

This is my first time ever on a website like this, so I apologize if I did anything wrong while creating my topic. I finished my CNA course and took my state exam in May. I have an interview at a nursing home on Monday, and I have a few questions since this is my first injob offer for a CNA position. I'm located in IL if that makes any difference.

What is the interview process like? (Could there be tests, maybe demonstrate a skill, strictly questions) Could anyone give me some examples of questions I might be asked? Or even share your experiences of a nursing home interview. Also, should I bring anything?

Now, say I get hired..what is the hiring process like? Do most nursing homes have you get a physical, TB test, drug test, background screen, or fingerprint? I had to get a physical and TB test for school, so should I bring those papers with me Monday? And what exactly usually happens during orientation?

I'm sorry if these are "dumb" questions, but I'm super nervous about this!

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Take a deep breath and relax. Unless you are in a very unusual place LTC facilities are always short staffed and looking for CNA's so you really should have multiple choices for employment. The interview process shouldn't be too intensive, heck in many places the interview usually begins with "when can you start!"

When you are officially offered a position then they will go through explaining wages, benefit options and scheduling as well as their orientation process. You can expect them to do a check with the state verifying your certification, a background check and a drug test before you start then after officially becoming an employee they should require a TB test or they might accept proof of a recent one so go ahead and take that with you if you have it though they probably won't need it right away unless you are offered a job on the spot. They probably won't need a pre-employment physical but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have it handy as long as you have a recent one.

Good luck on Monday and let us know how it goes!