Tips on passing CNA Test! please...

U.S.A. Washington

Published

Hello! I am going to take the test for Nursing Assistant certification and I have no clue how the test would be like. I am a Registered Nurse from my country ---- this is how I qualify to sit for the test without going through the CNA program here. The DSHS is going to send me the packet to study, but I learned from here that there's a skills exam as well? I wanted to know what type of skills they are going to test and the test plan for CNA if there's any?

Thank you in advance for answering my questions.

Sincerely,

Martheena

Your welcome Matheena - I totally understand your side specially on the financial side of things! there's also another company that does the credentialling IERF they are half the cost of CGFNS and less than 4-5 months unless WA strictly utilized to use CGFNS w/c some states do that - pardon me on asking are you married or have families here? they can stand as assistance/support to you financially for the time being in reaching your goals in obtaining your RN licensed here - and likewise I sunderstand you probably wants to be independent on it as well, understandably of your feeling of freaking out of not knowing things here - yet CNA as a nursing assistant is pretty much similar where ever you go - just think about bedside nursing and basic scope of nursing and you'll be fine - not much theories to learn nor insurances - it's the NCLEX - RN that you have to know those thoeries here are quite in a higher standard w/c rightfully so - anyhow at least you've taken the steps towards you NLCEX - RN - having a major in Accounting is great to to get you in the door for work other than nursing while waiting as long as you have experience on that not just to have the degree there will be an employer that will catch their attention for that - further more - you'll be fine good luck on all the things you do! give me a shout if I can be of asssistance to you. - later!!

Hello! It is my pleasure to have some tips from you on how to pass the NCLEX. Thank you very much for offering your help. I surely will email you :) Yeah, I just got married and my hubby is very supportive of me all the way. He has some decent savings not until he met me and has to come visit me in the Philippines 2 times a year...spend for lawyers for the immigration papers and the cost of application per se...the wedding, us getting started here... whew! just alot of stuff that I sometimes think I got him broke:cry: So now, we're kinda starting things together..he even work double shift when theres overtime available just to keep up. Oh well... I am just hoping I will get a job by being a CNA and finally get a job, then things will be better. I just got my work permit approval a few days ago and started sending my application online... none of those that I applied that I got an invitation for an interview... even the CASHIER/CLERK position I applied! sad.png So to become a CNA is my last and quick recourse..

Thank you for those valuable insights.. suggestions... I do appreciate it. I found a link on the other post which contains videos of different CNA lessons. And I listen to them everyday, felt like am in a class smile.png. So I guess that would help me alot. I got the list of skills I need to study too... and pretty much I think I'd be okay.. got a good training in my Primary Healthcare subjectsmile.png

So, I hope things will turn out in my favor... smile.png You take care... Talk to you later!

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I found the CNA testing information just by googling "nurse aide registry for ___________" (name of state). If you are in TX, AL, GA, you can go to www.nacesplus.org and get information there. They have online sample testing, application forms, sample questions, downloadable booklet,etc. There are also phone numbers to call and you can have a booklet sent to you that outlines that can be tested.

When you actually go to test, I believe you have to bring a friend with you who will act as your patient when you do your skills testing.

Good luck!

Thank you for replying to my post. I had the handbook printed already.. and I also found a link posted here that contains video of CNA topics I can study at home. I am glad to have found it. Felt like am having a class smile.png.

--- @ Essiemoore --- thank you as well...

You guys here are awesome .. nurses indeed! nurse.png

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Specializes in Peds/Geriatrics.

HI Martheena, ur welcome-we have some kind of similarity,I too came from Philippines I haven't passed my NCLEX-RN exam yet still struggling to pass it in a given time I had prevoiusly purchased number of books as recomended seems my time haven't come yet, currently enrolled on Kaplan course the best I can afford comes w/ a review book that I'm lile excited to start no CD although they said comes also w/ online access w/c I just tried once not fully yet, clasroom review starts Jan after new yr for 2 sat and 2 Sun 8 hrs each day - I did sign up 2 saturday in a row to start in November for thier free event program of test strategy seminar bought also a Saunders review book 4th edition comes w/ CD at least as recommended form one of the nurses of this website. I used to own 2 healthcare business not too long ago makes very good revenue yet working 24/7 can't get away from it good thing is I manage my time I had help a number of New grad CNA to have exeperience as no one would and we have a 10 yr old dtr now that needs my care and tending I end up selling the other one although the other one still exist yet not that active coz other than tending to my dtr I have to study I gave up making very good money to focus on my review and study yet I failed it put a dent in my heart yet on the bright side I get to tend to my dtr never missed it before not now- just hard coz I want to work n try not to depend on my husband yet I'm limited on my availability to work time and days, wkdays I can't start 8a it has to be 9a so I can tend to my dtr and drop her to school in the pm I have my parents inlaws to assist just the am they can't, can't wrk wkends 'coz I signed up on this review class and seminar w/c is very important to me, I don't care what kind of work even way less than I use to make yet me too I have submit quite a number of resume's for any sort of jobs no response, I hold a CNA license as well yet can't use it much coz hospital hrs start 7p-7a and u dont get done clock out until almost 8a the reason I know coz I did it b4 if - 6p-6a I guess I can manage I can't do days since as I had mentioned my dtr needs me in the am - as we sold our other business it has helped us pay off everything - at least I thank GOD we don't have bills to worry about other than just daily stuff yet still nice to be busy n have self esteem up on d ground. my NCLEX - RN exam put a fear in me that leads me sometime to be depress as I plus now I can't get a job not that I need it be nice to have an income keeps your mind bus , the reason I keep moving and being optimistic is because of my dtr that mean so much to me yet I keep my faith and be optimistic soon GOD will hear me - I can take LPN exam yet I chose not 2 coz it will just confuse me as we are trained as RN's n I have work as a ICU/CCU nurse in Philippines in every struggle it has an end - you'll be fine I can see that already I wish u live close by yet lets just keep in touch , been here 12 yrs yet feel like Lots of things to learn still - good luck on your job search too n ur CNA exam u'll get that no prob. later.

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To Martheena and Depress_nurse

You can do it. Just believe in yourself and keep studying and answering at least 100 questions each day. Passing the RN exam is also not an assurance that we can get a RN job after graduation. I am still waiting for my license and from what I've read here the job market is not that encouraging, a lot of competition also. But we should never give up. It is just good that we can get that exam out of the way. Hopefully, we will be able to work soon.

Months before, I also planned to look for a job while waiting for my exam schedule. But my husband kept me in focus and I am glad that I was able to devote my time studying. I think it helps a lot that you study if you are relax, you absorb the information quickly. I can only study for an hour straight, after that I got sleepy, and I just stop and sleep immediately, and only read my book if I am relax. I don't see the value of this before and I was a little bit worried that I will not pass. My husband wanted me to enroll in Kaplan course but I insisted that I will just study on my own so we can save some money. I told him that I will just get the cheapest online review - the NCSBN review course a week before my exam just to boost my confidence, but when I registered I realized that the application will not run on Mac. So, I decided to buy the Exam Cram book and read it 5 days before the exam. I was not able to try the CD, because again it will not run on Mac. I just try not to worry because I just want to take the exam and get over the stress. Fortunately, I pass on 75Qs.

May this inspire you to do best on your exam. Send me a message if I can be of any help on your reviews.

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Specializes in Peds/Geriatrics.

HI Cascade09, I appreciate your insights, On my job hunt I just looking into part time if I get hired fine if not fine- as my priority is on my review, does Exam Cram book good? I enrolled in Kaplan course yet classroom review won't start 'til January 2 Sat and 2 Sun 8 hrs each, it comes w/ a book no CD hope to start to read this wk my goal 2hrs a day = 10 hrs/wk for the time being not to over load my head, I took advantage of their free test taking strategy seminar w/c I signed up 2 saturday in a row 2 hrs each that will start next wk/end, likewise bought saunders 4th edition as I got on this website recommended by one of the nurse to utilized 'til I start my classroom review course, once I finish Kaplan course review book I get into my saunders since it has a CD and hopefully try out that exam cram book you're talking about is not that expensive? I tried to stay optimistic and look forward for good results, I wish I can talk to a classroom reviewer and show/her/him my results and possibly assist me on my deficient areas and looking forward I can obtain some good test strategy in that seminar- I'll follow what you mention to stay relax n hit the books at that state so I can absorb it better rather than just reading thu or memorizing w/c not good I guess- anyhow any hints on passing you can throw my way, I can totally appreciate that - I have taken this exam several times and I felt like traumatized of the bad results yet I keep my faith up and ask assistance from above the most and give me the strength to keep going until I get there - I have a supporting husband as well and a healthty happy daughter that I'm blessed and gives me inspirations- anyhow I would appreciate some assistance advice from you in passing this exam. God Bless you and good luck w/ your job hunt as a nurse - and also congratulations!!!!

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The most important thing to do is to relax........ Washing hands is VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!.

Make sure that you DO NOT shake your hands when you are finished at the sink. You should sing a full round of HAPPY BIRTHDAY to yourself while washing hands, it should be enough time for complete hand washing. Use paper towel to turn water off, let water drip off the tips of your fingers then use one paper towel for hands and one for your wrists and forearms.

Also remember to say that you are washing hands even if you DO NOT TOUCH the patient. Even when you are just counting respirations while patient is sleeping. Also mention that you are washing hands when leaving the "room". You WILL FAIL for not mentioning hand washing.

Remember to talk to your patient while in the "room" with them. The skills test is mostly common sense. Think things out step by step. Say all the steps that you are doing and be calm. Mentioning brakes on bed and wheelchair are soooo important too.

Good Luck.

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Depress_nurse,

Good luck on your review. That's right, only memorize the very basic lab values. If you try to understand the concept first, the analysis of the question becomes easier. Eliminate wrong answers. I read the Saunders and used mostly the free online review of nclex3500, this one is a lot challenging than Saunders.

Get the ExamCram Practice book. It has 1,000 questions and the style is a lot similar to the actual exam. I think it is less than $30. You can focus on this 1-2 weeks before your exam. I cannot say about their CD since I haven't accessed it until now.

Don't clutter your mind with a lot of review materials because it will just confuse you.

What worked for me was, Saunders for the basics, La Charity for prioritization, and 3500/ExamCram for analysis.

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Specializes in Peds/Geriatrics.

HI Cascade09, I greatly appreciate your insight, I already dealt w/ basics normal labs n just need to brush up to it as time goes by it tend 2 fade in my head then I panic, i'm enrolled in Kaplan course it has on line access classroom review start Jan 02 for 2 sat and 2 sun = 4 wkends 8 hrs w/c I look 4ward to quite affordable and likewise I signed up w/ 2 saturday wk/ends in a row for 2 hrs for kaplan free seminar for test strategy so far d online access w/c I just started was a good start, I don't think I can finish reading the course book that comes w/ it I started it yet it bores me it just repeats the basic that we've learn, explanation of what we already know, ethics of nrsg etc. yet we'll see I bought d 4th edition w/ CD of saunders it' sonly $28.96 includes shipping n handling since I had saunders b4 they're kinda old version and expensive then my husband go tit for me yet your right it had helped me w/ basic and some strategy that I was able 2 apply that's why on my last exam I came up to 265 as I feel I'm getting close, what bugs me down are the medication that are alien to my eyes/ears and some meds calculations that I haven't encountered at all although I came across on my on line study w/ Kaplan a similar med calculations and confident enough I was able to see/recognnized where I missed and able to analyzed it closely so that's out of my way, I had tried NCLEX 3500 on line before for a short while yeah there are pretty challenging I might just get into it again since it's free anyway, just one at a time, surely I'll I get d exam cram sometime next year as I see how my current review materials are doing, I'll stop on exam cram book so not to overload or confuse my head, as hopefully I'll be ready to take my exam again by Feb. of next yr I don't want to prolong so much as what I study are still fresh in my head I guess that helps keeps me relax. Thank you so much for your assistance:nurse:, it such a great relief for me where to start again:redbeathe. God Bless you and Good luck on your job search- anything else u can think of just kindly shoot me a note It will help so much, I'll keep you posted as well if you don't mind- again thank you and hope to hear from you sometime. Later!!:cheers:

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Hi there! I apologize this is a late reply.. been wanting to email you tho but couldn't find your email ad you posted here..anyways, I commend you for all of the sacrifices you made for the sake of love to your profession..as in, wow!now i felt guilty..:) I detour sometimes but at the end of the day i always find myself with my Saunders infront of me :) Do you already have schedule date for the test? I plan to take the test by February..(i hope) i am avoiding the next test plan which will took effect on April kasi. Not sure what entails to change a test plan in relation to the usefullness of the review materials were currently using. Would be nice if we can study together.. id be a lil behind i guess, but i can be your researcher for rationales. There are some good resource material posted here too...when i took my qualifying exam for Nurse Trainee(back in the PI), I use the med calculation review lesson I found here, i passed.My friend passed NCLEX using Kaplan too. She said the questions were similar to the actual test. Not sure how true. But she said to just study the whole book.The book was part of the package. My other classmate, attended review class in NY with Kaplan.She passed and is working in Pedia now. I believed you can do it! You have a good training here. It is even more difficult for us foreign trained to pass the exam, but yet most of them passed. If it is okay if i email you? I would love to. Perhaps we can work on this together.. :) God Bless us!

To Casacade: Thank you very much for the support and tips. May you have all the blessings that you may continue to inspire your fellow nurses here.Congratulations! All the best to your career!

HI Martheena, ur welcome-we have some kind of similarity,I too came from Philippines I haven't passed my NCLEX-RN exam yet still struggling to pass it in a given time I had prevoiusly purchased number of books as recomended seems my time haven't come yet, currently enrolled on Kaplan course the best I can afford comes w/ a review book that I'm lile excited to start no CD although they said comes also w/ online access w/c I just tried once not fully yet, clasroom review starts Jan after new yr for 2 sat and 2 Sun 8 hrs each day - I did sign up 2 saturday in a row to start in November for thier free event program of test strategy seminar bought also a Saunders review book 4th edition comes w/ CD at least as recommended form one of the nurses of this website. I used to own 2 healthcare business not too long ago makes very good revenue yet working 24/7 can't get away from it good thing is I manage my time I had help a number of New grad CNA to have exeperience as no one would and we have a 10 yr old dtr now that needs my care and tending I end up selling the other one although the other one still exist yet not that active coz other than tending to my dtr I have to study I gave up making very good money to focus on my review and study yet I failed it put a dent in my heart yet on the bright side I get to tend to my dtr never missed it before not now- just hard coz I want to work n try not to depend on my husband yet I'm limited on my availability to work time and days, wkdays I can't start 8a it has to be 9a so I can tend to my dtr and drop her to school in the pm I have my parents inlaws to assist just the am they can't, can't wrk wkends 'coz I signed up on this review class and seminar w/c is very important to me, I don't care what kind of work even way less than I use to make yet me too I have submit quite a number of resume's for any sort of jobs no response, I hold a CNA license as well yet can't use it much coz hospital hrs start 7p-7a and u dont get done clock out until almost 8a the reason I know coz I did it b4 if - 6p-6a I guess I can manage I can't do days since as I had mentioned my dtr needs me in the am - as we sold our other business it has helped us pay off everything - at least I thank GOD we don't have bills to worry about other than just daily stuff yet still nice to be busy n have self esteem up on d ground. my NCLEX - RN exam put a fear in me that leads me sometime to be depress as I plus now I can't get a job not that I need it be nice to have an income keeps your mind bus , the reason I keep moving and being optimistic is because of my dtr that mean so much to me yet I keep my faith and be optimistic soon GOD will hear me - I can take LPN exam yet I chose not 2 coz it will just confuse me as we are trained as RN's n I have work as a ICU/CCU nurse in Philippines in every struggle it has an end - you'll be fine I can see that already I wish u live close by yet lets just keep in touch , been here 12 yrs yet feel like Lots of things to learn still - good luck on your job search too n ur CNA exam u'll get that no prob. later.
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Specializes in Peds/Geriatrics.

HI Martheena08, I appreciate the reply that gives me insights, no need to apologize you are more than likely adjusting and doing preparation on your exam as well and that's a lot to line up, yep a course book comes when you sign up w/ kaplan, it's a big sacrifice coz it easily bores me mostly it's like a classroom discussions of things eg. delegation, handwashing etc. I did the on line coz it comes w/ it too that I like i did a few,nice I encountered med calculation questions that i stumped on the actual exam and i was able to see and analyzed it and saw my error in analizing it I felt good got that out of the way yet I know i need more practice, I have to discipline myself to finish and understand the book as hard to do but got to hope by end of this month i could as I want to start the saunders book I bought the 4th edition coz the others i have are kind of old yet helped me w/ much of the analysis and strategy and cascade was right w/ that i'm excited to start has lots of practice questions and rationales, and i'm targeting by mid Jan of next yr after my kaplan classroom review I can do review exam cram book as adviced by cascade as well my kaplan classroom review starts Jan 2-10 2 sat and 2 sun. 8 hrs a day- and this wk/end I'm attending kaplan free test taking strategy seminar w/c I look forward into, and yeah I'm, targeting to take my exam again by end of Feb of next yr as I rcvd an e-mail fr NSCBN a new test plan will be implemented on april of next yr I haven't get into it on what test plan, usually I don't understand their explaination too politics anyhow- i'm still on job hunt, if I can gt a job fien if not it's ok though nice to have lile income somehow and besides free my head of worrying about NCLEX so much, I study as I can if i'm tired I lay down I don't take it too hard anymore as I did before, I want to live my life feeling happy and content surrounded by the people I love specially my dtr w/c the center on my life, I live up to my faith to God as I do believe when it's time based on God's terms it will happen rather than us pushing it- I tend to snap out of being down n desperate and focus on what's important, passing my RN license is very important but I don't want it to rule my life to depression, in my heart I love my profession and missed it so bad but everything has it's own turn I've seen it happen many times I study w/ all my heart of the knowledge that God bestowed upon me and I will do my very best the rest I have to leave it up to HIm, I pray everyday I know soon He will hear me /us I pray not just for me but for all of us nurses striving to pass this exam and share that blessings to people that needs our help specially the least privilege one it's our vocation I take one day at a time, I'm being realistic I wouldn't know everything hope to answer it intelligently as I explore avenues to find and assist me in reaching that goals, I'm greatful for all other nurses here that are very accomodating in assisting us, giving us hints, hope and most of all inspiration not to give up and keep trying we didn't finish nursing for nothing it just that everybody has it's own time- I value your support even we lived far fr. each other our support for each other goes thousands miles and it does touch me deep; good luck in all you do if I could be of assistance I'll be more than happy to extend a hand you can count on that!! hope you can get your credential for your RN soon, you take care and good luck on your CNA you'll be fine when are you taking it? anyhow you will be ok no prob. :up: take care now until I hear from you soon- have a wonderful incoming Holidays to you and your husband. later...:redpinkhe

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Specializes in Infusion.

Here is all the info for taking the WA State CNA exam.....

http://www.asisvcs.com/indhome.asp?CPCat=0748NURSE

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Martha, have you taken your CNA test yet? If so, how did you do?

If not, and you still need tips:

I took my training at the Nursing Assistant Training Institute in Shoreline. The book for the course, Taking Care, is available for purchase at their website. It had all the information needed to pass the test. Here is the link:

http://takingcare.homestead.com/

For the skills test, see if you can go several days in advance to the facility where you will be testing and scope out the lay of the land. Beds, wheelchairs, etc. are different everywhere and it can help your nerves to be familiar with the set-up of where you will be testing.

Make sure you do not skip any of the bolded steps in your manual during the skills test, and you should probably be OK. I consistently forgot to give the patient the call button thing at the end of each skill and I still passed. I got blood pressure as one of my skills, and it went fine. If you are an RN in your country, I expect this test will be very easy for you.

Good luck.

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