State Testing

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I've been hearing a lot of people saying that they don't take their state exam until a couples months after their CNA classes are done. For example, their class ended in February, but they didn't take the state exam until May. Is this always the case? My classes end August 24th and I really don't want to wait forever... I was hoping to get a job by the end of September! :uhoh3: Also, can you still apply for CNA jobs after you're done you're training, even if you haven't taken the state test yet? Any replies are appreciated! I'm a little confused about this.

Specializes in LTC.

I took my test the week after I finished the course. It was better for me this way since the information was still in my head.

A lot of people I took the CNA class with called around asking about jobs and were told to call back once they took their test. I don't know if this is the same for every place, but it'd be worth calling facilities your interested in.

yes u can work before getting your cna cert. i was hired by a ltc , and at completion of the course, i started working as cna. ive been there for 4 weeks already. i take my state cert july 26th. i finished my class june 11th. this was thru HACC in PA. my ltc paid for or sponsored me. look around, make some calls. good luck

I waited a month and a half after the end of my class to take my state exam. We were told the reason for the delay was that there was only one examiner for the entire state. I applied, was hired and worked as a tech at a hospital during the wait. I just dropped the paperwork off at the HR office after I had passed.

I waited a month and a half after the end of my class to take my state exam. We were told the reason for the delay was that there was only one examiner for the entire state. I applied, was hired and worked as a tech at a hospital during the wait. I just dropped the paperwork off at the HR office after I had passed.

what exactly do u m ean by tech ? what does a tech do ?

what exactly do u m ean by tech ? what does a tech do ?

Patient Care Tech. We did basic patient care(vitals, baths, blood sugars) plus we could do foley's and basic wound care.

DreamyEyes, where in New England are you? I'm in NH and I just finished my LNA course a few weeks ago. I was informed that in NH I could work as a CNA for up to 120 days before I had to get my license, and I got hired at my facility the day I finished my course and received my certificate. I took my state boards one week ago, passed, and now just need to mail all the paperwork to the NH Board of Nursing to get my license.

I applied for jobs while I still had 2 weeks left of my course, and got callbacks from several places. I ended up choosing the facility where I had my class, as I was already familiar with the residents and the policies, etc.

Good luck!

weird... my class final was today(monday) we go to the hospital for 3 days of clinicals and then this friday is our state final written exam and a skills test for the state!

good luck everyone !

Specializes in developmental disablities nursing.

I have completed my class portion as well as my clinicals for my CNA, but I have to wait over a month to receive my certificate and paperwork to take my state test. Then I have to wait another week or so before I can take my state test. It really sucked, but many places will hire you on before you complete your state test. They just require you to take your paperwork in after completion!

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I think it is better to take it within a reasonable time, like maybe a month or two at best. This way, things are more stuck in your head and have the incentive to study. Eventually, studying for exams after a program has completed wears on you and you may lose focus. Good luck!

Specializes in Geriatrics.

KnittedMittens, I'm in New Hampshire also. :) Right on the Mass border.... I found out the other day that most of us will be taking our state test a couple days after our class ends. But thanks for the info, I'm definitely going to apply to jobs before I get licensed.

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