Failed CNA skills Exam: Appeal results?

Nursing Students CNA/MA Nursing Q/A

I know this is an old and tired topic. But sheeesh, why is it such a problem. The system of testing the skills is obviously flawed when you have such a discrepancy between candidates passing the written exam and so many failing the skills. Either the class needs to focus more on the skills and less on the written or some other alternative.

I just found out today I failed my skills on one single issue; pulse. If someone practices a skill for 7 weeks and performs it in professional clinical settings satisfactorily and yet it is failed regularly on the exam there is a problem Houston.

I counted all of the steps in the skills I was asked to perform; I scored 102 out of 105. And yet I failed. I know if I failed pulse, I failed a BOLDED step, but who is to say that the RN test observer is the end all say all? She's human too. Is she void of error?

Is there any way to appeal or contest the results?

I retook the tests and it still keeps saying my pulse is off 4 beats? i dont know what to do

I took my CNA State Exam today...I failed radial pulse, but I think it is because (1.) we are trained to just use two fingers to get the radial pulse and there is another way to hold the hand and use the two fingers that I wasn't trained on. (2.) My patient/client has an irregular pulse, high blood pressure, and her heart was racing because she was so nervous. (3.) The examiner took up some of my time trying to get her pulse, and I really don't think she was able to get it. The examiner tested her twice, and then appeared confused. I think she was having the same problem that I was having. (4.) This took time away from me to complete my very last skill.

I know how to complete all of my skills and the exam is a false representation of my ability. I did file a grievance. We'll see what happeens.

happens-correction!

Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.
I took my CNA State Exam today...I failed radial pulse, but I think it is because (1.) we are trained to just use two fingers to get the radial pulse and there is another way to hold the hand and use the two fingers that I wasn't trained on. (2.) My patient/client has an irregular pulse, high blood pressure, and her heart was racing because she was so nervous. (3.) The examiner took up some of my time trying to get her pulse, and I really don't think she was able to get it. The examiner tested her twice, and then appeared confused. I think she was having the same problem that I was having. (4.) This took time away from me to complete my very last skill.

I know how to complete all of my skills and the exam is a false representation of my ability. I did file a grievance. We'll see what happens.

Gss it sounds like your partner did was not eligible to be a patient. I remember my partner had asthma and if I wasn't in nursing school I would not have known to expect a faster pulse because she just took a inhaler just before the test, she was close to 100. Finding an irregular pulse is definitely an advanced skill that even experienced nurses have trouble with.

how you hold someone hand is not part of the skill test as long as you don't occlude the artery. The skill is based on knowing the location of the pulse and knowing that the hand has to be level with the heart. If in a sitting position the patient hand could rest on the adjustable feeding table , you don't have to hold the hand.

Some of these test centers are not using 2 nurses for evaluation and are not following the prometric skills check list. This list is suppose to eliminate biases of how something was done, because there is more than one way to do every skill, as long as your way does not harm the patient.

I think the basis for all of these failures is the new trend of "CNA in a day" crash course schools popping up. Even the test centers have their own crash courses and this presents a definite conflict of interest, bias and discrimination on who they want to pass. They want you to pay for their CNA crash course and a lot of this is not regulated nor recognized by the nursing boards. Test centers should be moved to public schools or be independent facilities that do not have their own way of doing things and thier own CNA crash course. If not, then the nurses that do the testing should be independent of the testing facility and have no association with the courses given at the testing location .

I agree with you on the point that my patient may not have been eligible for participation. Yes, finding an irregular pulse is an advanced skill. I know I will have to take the test over again. However, I feel there needs to be some changes in terms of how the test is administered. In my case, the test results are inaccurate. I do know how to perform all the skills listed at the State Exam. In addition, I have a 4-year degree, and am just using CNA as a stepping stone into nursing.

I sense some bullying within the administration of the test. It is not feasible to expect the candidates to perform certain skills such as bed bath and peri-care along with all the other skills within the time-frame allowed.

If we rush through the skills during the exam, we risk becoming injured? We could use this as a point for more time to complete the skill.

I don't think you can appeal but just retake again. I passed it the third time. I was working for a home health agency t the time and they worked with me. When I finally passed they changed my title from Pca to cna an went from $9 an hour to $10. Don't get discouraged !

Benderover2, I'm sure you are right. However, I just want them to know that I understand how to do my skills, but time may not allow for me to really show them.

I don't think you can appeal but just retake again. I passed it the third time. I was working for a home health agency t the time and they worked with me. When I finally passed they changed my title from Pca to cna an went from $9 an hour to $10. Don't get discouraged !
Which home health agency do you work for?

I took my skills exam and failed. The evaluator failed me on things I actually did. Idk how that works but the woman she had me teamed up with missed many steps, didn't say skill complete after the skills and missed bolded steps but yet she passed her. We were all taught differently and the evaluator was looking at me like I was doing things wrong when I was doing them how I was taught. No way should I of failed when I did my weeks at clinical at the nursing home. I had to do many things that the skills never taught us. But it's okay I guess she didn't like it cuz I wear all black and look what you would say as gothic... That's how I look that's how I am don't judge me on my looks when my skills were done correctly.

Omg took my cna skills test the second time today and i know i did great but the fluids i feel i messed up on they keep giving me that skill ugh i feel i failed it i need help with fluids! i wrote for the 4oz cup 30 mls which i know is right but the 2 8oz cups were measured the same i put 90 mls for both but i realized it was 60 mls for both and i cant be over 30 mls of what the test observer put im so sad i have one more try to take this test agian...

TELL ME ABOUT IT.

I took it in Wisconsin CNA Test last week. 96% on the skills exam, 100% on skill 1, 100% on skill 2, 100% on skill 3, and 97.67% on skill 4. Then I failed the test and they want another $70 to retake the entire skills test. What a joke!

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