For single object not need to Ctrl A. Ctrl for single object should select all nodes. As in CorelDRAW version X6 and earlier. As a designer I would be faster and more comfortable if Ctrl A for a single object was to select all nodes. Since starting version X7 Ctrl A for single objects, that's right ...
You have to have the shape tool selected first then click the shape then ctrl+a to select all nodes
This was changed some versions ago, on user requests, because it wasn't logical.Ctrl+A with Pick tool selected shall select all objects, not nodes, no matter if there is one or many objects in the drawing.Double click the object (to select it and switch to Shape tool), then Ctrl+A to select all nodes.