Help!!--CNA State Board Exam!

[bluechick112]

OK, so here's my situation!

I took a C.N.A. class here in California in December '08 (graduated in February '09). I was going to take the certification exam with the A.R.C. right after graduation, but I freaked out and canceled it. I can't put into words how terrifying the clinical part of the exam is to me. What adds to the fear is the fact that I had a terrible instructor for the class and the people who worked at the SNF where we interned didn't do ANYTHING by the book--in fact, they even warned us not to do what they did on our state exam!

I feel as though I didn't learn my skills at all and even debated putting down another $600-700 in order to take the class again in hopes of actually learning the skills. What I'm going to have to do is learn them from the book which is hard for me since I'm such a hands-on and visual person. I was hoping for some information--any information!!--regarding the test. For example, I have a little book I put together of all the skills, step-by-step, taken directly from my Nursing Assistant textbook. Will I need to know EVERY skill, word-for-word, step-by-step? I know my opening/closing perfectly, but I feel stressed out even thinking about memorizing all 30 (or however many) skills step by step! Plus, I'm a total perfectionist so if it comes down to that, I won't be satisfied until I know it WORD FOR WORD (literally). I'd really appreciate any and all input.

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to respond!

[CWpost]

Ramin~

For the state of California there are 70 multiple choice questions for the written exam and I believe you have to have a 75% to pass. The questions are critical thinking questions so you have to be able to understand the English language in order to pass. I have 6 students in my class right now that have failed every written exam given to them because they do not understand the reasoning part of the English language, although they speak English well.

[SunRose7]

I think a lot of it depends on the nurse monitoring the exam too! I had a lady who would give us cues and stuff if we werent sure. Even though I studied my little heart out because I took my training at a community college over the summer 2 years ago and type A'd my way though studying for the test. I was the only one who trained at the college vs. nursing home and I was still the only one who passed both portions of the exam that day with the group I was in... even with a forgiving tester. The best thing I can offer up is to study as Im sure you are, and arrive at the tesing site a half-hour or even an hour early (however long it takes you to get rid of your nerves!). If youre like me, I'm usually arriving to work and school at the minute Im supposed to be there instead of early, so I arrived super early so I wouldnt be screaching into the parking lot and seizuring my way into testing from driving white knuckled with my hair on fire and nervous as all get out! Hope that helps and good luck! You can do it!:roll

[Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN]

I was told before I took my test that if I failed, I would get my money back. You are allowed 3 tries to pass the test. If you fail all 3 I guess you have to re-take the class or something. I'm telling you this because I thought maybe you could just go into the first one simply to find out how everything goes. You would know how things work, how strict it is, etc. You wouldn't be out anything but the gas to get there and some time. If your nerves make you completely crazy, maybe that could help. I would go in as prepared as possible. You might get lucky!

I wouldn't suggest this to everyone, but it could make you more comfortable. CNAs are so needed! Don't give up!!

Dondie

[azcna]

Two words: CHILL OUT. You are WAY too stressed about this. Stressing out will not help you at all when it comes down to taking the test! You said you know your opening and closing skills, so you are more than halfway there. Just think about what makes sense. Take your checklist, and practice it out. Pretend like your bedroom is a patients room, knock on the door, announce your name, procedure, pretend to pull a curtain, pretend to brush someones teeth, etc. I did this and it really helped me. Just do it over and over again until you know it. You will be fine, just de-stress!

I don't want to sound mean, but once you are a CNA you probably won't be able to be a perfectionist, you'll be too busy, and that would stress you out even more. Part of the state test is to see if you can handle stressful situations, because this is what every day of work will be like! Just chill, and remember, if you fail, it isn't the end of the world. A lot of people fail, it isn't a big deal. If you tell yourself before the test "the world is bigger than me right here, in this city taking this test" you will be more relaxed. Good luck!

[tomc5555]

On the first day of class we received a handbook that is from Pearson Vue & had each of the 24 skills that is on the test. I looked it up on the website & found one from your state http://www.asisvcs.com/publications/pdf/070500.pdf Honestly I think this book will help you so much! It helped me pass my skills b/c we went over each skill step by step in class & b4 we took our test we had a review session. The handbook should tell you how much time & how many skills you could possibly be tested on since it varies from state to state. Two of them are definite though- handwashing and measurement(blood pressure,pulse,respiration,weight or urinary output). The others are randomly selected. Like someone else mentioned although its not good to miss a step, missing one that is not in bold won't automatically fail you. I missed one during one skill(applying a bedpan) & I still passed. Have you taken the written portion? Because Pearson Vue has a practice test you can take & it helped me a lot ! Some of the practice questions were actually on my real test :) Good luck on your test!!

Thank you for this link; it's a life saver.