Any advice for the CNA test?

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Specializes in Psychiatric nursing.

I am almost done with a CNA class and will soon be taking the Red Cross test to become certified. Does anyone who has taken this test have any advice for doing well, especially on the clinical aspect. I live in Massachuesetts by the way ( I think the certification is different in each state). Thank you!

Specializes in Level III cardiac/telemetry.

Well, my testing was done in OK, but from what I've seen from others all the testing is about the same. My instructors gave us a handout that had all the skills listed and the exact steps to do them. Come to find out, this was the exact thing that was used on the skills test! The best thing to do is to talk your way through it. Say outloud what you are doing, and why. If you realize you made a mistake, admit it - as I was helping my pt to stand, I said "oh yeah, and I would have placed the bed at the lowest level for the safety of the patient." Or if you forgot to make sure the wheels on the bed or wheelchair were locked, say that. They just want to make sure you know what you are doing. My skills tester was pretty laid back and made me feel completely comfortable. Goodluck!

Specializes in Policy, Emergency OR, Peds OR, CVOR.
Say outloud what you are doing, and why. If you realize you made a mistake, admit it - as I was helping my pt to stand, I said "oh yeah, and I would have placed the bed at the lowest level for the safety of the patient." Or if you forgot to make sure the wheels on the bed or wheelchair were locked, say that. They just want to make sure you know what you are doing.

EXCELLENT advice!

The only thing I can add is practice, practice, practice. They want all the steps (sometimes in exactly the right order) and they want you to know it backwards and forwards. I practiced on my kids, my hubby, anybody that would let me! :chuckle

My examiners were real sticklers for EVERY step in the EXACT order they were on the checklist. What a pain.

Good luck!!

I passed my cna test very easily........but it has been 7 years since that and I let my certificate lapse so I am getting ready to retest now that my life has settled enough to be able to go back to work........needless to say I am a bit nervous about taking the test over again (excited at the same time too) I just need to try to remember what I am suspose to be doing......

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