Advice on Michigan State exam

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hello there, I'm looking for anyone in Michigan who has taken the state exam. I take mine in one week @ Mott Community College in Flint, and I'm trying to prepare as best I can. Like everyone else, I'm super nervous:wink2: so any feedback from someone who has already been through this would be great!! Couple questions that come to mind, when doing ROM in lab we were in the supine position, but I've heard variations to this. Any advice?? When transferring a resident from bed to wheelchair, do we raise the bed a bit to ease the strain on our back? I know the residents feet need to be level with the floor though, any thoughts? Lastly, if anyone has taken the test at Mott, do they use side rails? We did not have them in lab nor in our clinical, so I've never used them. Would it be wrong to ask them to demonstrate how to use them before I start my skills??

Thanks so much!!!!!:bluecry1:

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I just took my test at Mott last week. It seemed to me that they were pretty relaxed as far as things go. There were two beds, one with a dummy and one with a person. The one with the person in it was broken and didn't raise. I just had to say, "I'm raising the bed" instead of actually raising it. Also, I washed my hands twice. The first time she didn't even come in the bathroom with me to watch which made me feel kinda weird. The second time she came in and watched and told me that I could just say, "I'm washing my hands" when I would do that. I had a partial bed bath and she said it was fine by me just saying "I'm changing the water because it is too cold and soapy." She did ask to see what temperature the water should be at (105). And if you forgot something you can always say, "I am going back a few steps because I forgot to (insert thing here)." And you don't actually have to go back and do it, just say it. I did ROM lower extremity and I did it in the supine position. I would say to keep the bed in a lowest position to transfer (even though the bed doesn't raise so you would have to anyway) because you want the person's feet to be able to touch the ground and not strain to much when getting up. Oh, the button to raise the bed was kinda weird on the bed with the actual patient. When you started raising it, you have to hold down the button until it is the height you want it. If you take your finger off the button in the slightest, it won't continue to raise. All the stuff was available and she showed you where it was before you start. The bath supplies and that sort of stuff is by the bedside which kinda threw me for a loop when I went to look for the tub for the bed bath. I thought their equipment for the blood pressure was wasn't the greatest. I accidentally opened it to fast the first time (part of my problem was that I did it with the opposite hand that I am used to) and so i had to do it again.

Oh, the building they are doing it in is under construction and I got a little lost. I'd make sure to show up early so you have time to figure out where to go.

I thought the written part of the test was super easy. It took me about 15-20 min to finish.

Hope that helps!

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Thank you so much for all the great information!! You didn't mention if you passed, but it sounds like you did-Congratulations! :yeah: I'm a bundle of nerves, hope I do ok.

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Yes i did pass thanks! Just relax and you will do fine. I don't think I specifically said, but there were not any side rails on the bed. Good luck!

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Hey I passed my exam!!!!!! It's over and I can finally breathe.:bow: Thanks to everyone who is a part of this site!! Just reading your experiences and knowing I was not alone made a huge difference to me. In fact, it calmed me when I really needed it!! I took my test at Mott in Flint MI, if anyone is ever looking for some feedback. Thanks again all!!!!

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yay!! congrats!:yeah::yeah:

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Congratulations Sunshine! How exciting for you. Do you have any advice? I have to schedule my appointment at Mott and I have been procrastinating due to fear. What were your skills? Do you have any advice for me, I would sure appreciate it. Congratulations again.

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Specializes in CNA, SPN, LPN.

I am taking my exam on October 20th. I have already secured a position

with a local nursing facility. :D This facility was just built a year ago and is

very nice. But now the pressure is on for the exam. Mine is scheduled

in Ann Arbor, Mi.

Nina

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