Take CNA Exam without going through the course

[runnerdoug87]

Hi, I will do my best to abbreviate this post. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services and five years within the healthcare field. I have worked with Emergency services, One Day Surgery, Intensive Surgery/Cardiac Surgery, Pharmacy, and Inpatient Psychology.

I have worked as an Emergency Medical Responder, Anesthesia Technician, and Psychiatric Technician.

Job roles involved taking Vitals and documenting vitals. Interviewing patients and doing intake assessments with patients. I also charted on those patients and wrote in the Cardex. I have worked with physical therapy have training in mobility with patients. I have knowledge how to use lifting equipment and properly move patients. I also have given aspirin and glucose to patients as well. I have also assisted in medical emergencies inpatient and outpatient.

I have also facilitated and done EKGs.

End story I am currently unemployed and laid off within the past months. There are a lot of CNA openings in my area, live in Connecticut. However, need to be licensed and certified. Taking the course is a challenge being on unemployment because takes awhile to be approved worried unemployment will end while in the class.

Curious if anyone knows a way to appeal or apply for a CNA license without going through the course?

I appreciate the response.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Check the state agency that certifies CNAs it may be the board of nursing. It may be the department of health or consumer affairs. Some states only permit current nursing students to challenge the exam. Other states will give a candidate one challenge attempt to pass the clinical practicum and written exam

[runnerdoug87]

Appreciate the feedback looks like only way to challenge it is have a clinical rotation within past 2 years for LOAns and Student Nurses. Going to ask and see if my year's in healthcare field can replace clinical rotation.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

I live in CT and you can skip the class is if you are currently a nursing student with 100 hours of clinical and theory. Even then you are still required to take and pass the test. You are only skipping the required classes.

While you do have an extensive healthcare background you are lacking in areas such as ADL's such as bathing, toileting, feeding etc (unless your positions incorporated that as well). Those are the biggest things that are included in the testing.

[runnerdoug87]

Yep yep done ADLS, bathed patients, assisted with one on one feeding

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

If the requirements are student nurses it's rare they make exceptions b

[daimere]

It depends on the state. From what i have heard, unless one is a nursing student, it usually doesn't happen. In my area, most colleges make nursing students take the class before being accepted into the program.