I am starting my 2nd week of CNA class and we have worked on 3 skills so far. Our book tells different then the instructor is telling us and what she tells us is what will be needed for the exam. Like our book tells us to wash hands, privacy curtain etc.....but the instructor is telling us to pull curtain BEFORE we wash our hands. I am so petrified of messing up for the skills exam. What did you do to help yourself make sure everything was in order and correct? Our instructor said if you mess up 1 skill during the exam then everything is over! Im absolutly scared Ill mess up.

Always wash hands first!!! Think about this, if everyone handled the curtain with unwashed hands imagine the bacterial build up on the cloth. As a CNA instructor who passed the boards in February, the examiner's want to see you wash hands!!!!

Make yourself flash cards as you learn your skills, memorizing the steps until you are automatic with them. Practice reciting the steps with a classmate or anyone who will sit with you and listen.In time you wont be so stressed.

Yes, a major mess up will cause you to flunk, but during the boards be sure to talk with your "patient, appear confident, and know the steps to the skills.

Always wash hands first!!! Think about this, if everyone handled the curtain with unwashed hands imagine the bacterial build up on the cloth. As a CNA instructor who passed the boards in February, the examiner's want to see you wash hands!!!!

Thats what I thought and when she said the opposite then I got confused. So I questioned her on that and she told me the same thing. So I will remind myself to wash hands first! Thank you!

Make yourself flash cards as you learn your skills, memorizing the steps until you are automatic with them. Practice reciting the steps with a classmate or anyone who will sit with you and listen.In time you wont be so stressed.

I will definatly do that. WHat I have been doing is writing the skills down in order. But flash cards seem easier.

Yes, a major mess up will cause you to flunk, but during the boards be sure to talk with your "patient, appear confident, and know the steps to the skills.

Thank you! Im sure I will have plenty of questions to ask on here.

If you DO make a mistake during the skills test, and you realize it, say to the proctor, "I should have pulled the curtain before I turned the patient" or something like that. They will usually give you credit for having done it as long as you REALIZE at the time that you should have done it. They understand that people are nervous.

And you always wash your hands first. :)