Advice for NA Cert exam???

NurCrystal22 · Aug 3, 2005

I use to be an NA. On the practical part most people messed up because they failed to WASH their hands. Review transferring, restraints, and bedmaking. It's really not hard and I'm sure you'll be fine.

~CRYSTAL

PhoenixGirl · Aug 4, 2005

I found it easy as pie!

THe written threw me a little, but I ended up getting high scores on the 5 area's they grade it. 3- 100s, and 2- 90s. I think I was just nervous.

Did you get that sheet where they give you info on all the possible skills you might have (you will only get 3) and what they are looking for? It is so easy. When you go in the room with the nurse, she basically tells you everything before you have to do it. I had BP, transfer, and partial bed bath. For the BP, you have a chance to do it again, if you get it wrong the first time. Just ask her. I got mine on the first try and it was easy because her pulse was nice and loud. For transfer you make her sit up, put your shoes on her (which she tells you where her shoes are before you do it, so it's easy not to forget) they provide you with a gait belt, you put it on her and make her stand and put her in her wheelchair. She tells you about where to wash your hands, and that you need to pull the curtain before all skills. That makes it so easy so you don't forget to do any of it. For partial bed bath you get two pans, 3 rags, and a bar of soap. You have to wash the dummy and she tells you not to do perineal care. So you use one rag for the face, one for the front, and one for the back. If you mess up, all you have to do is say "oh, I forgot to do _________, so I would have done that" and that's it! After she has seen you wash your hands once, she tells you you don't have to wash your hands again, just tell her WHEN you would actually wash your hands. Don't forget to protect your patience privacy w/ the curtain, and give the call light before exiting. It was all so easy!

Rebecca

Jennette · Aug 4, 2005

I found it easy as pie!
THe written threw me a little, but I ended up getting high scores on the 5 area's they grade it. 3- 100s, and 2- 90s. I think I was just nervous.
Did you get that sheet where they give you info on all the possible skills you might have (you will only get 3) and what they are looking for? It is so easy. When you go in the room with the nurse, she basically tells you everything before you have to do it. I had BP, transfer, and partial bed bath. For the BP, you have a chance to do it again, if you get it wrong the first time. Just ask her. I got mine on the first try and it was easy because her pulse was nice and loud. For transfer you make her sit up, put your shoes on her (which she tells you where her shoes are before you do it, so it's easy not to forget) they provide you with a gait belt, you put it on her and make her stand and put her in her wheelchair. She tells you about where to wash your hands, and that you need to pull the curtain before all skills. That makes it so easy so you don't forget to do any of it. For partial bed bath you get two pans, 3 rags, and a bar of soap. You have to wash the dummy and she tells you not to do perineal care. So you use one rag for the face, one for the front, and one for the back. If you mess up, all you have to do is say "oh, I forgot to do _________, so I would have done that" and that's it! After she has seen you wash your hands once, she tells you you don't have to wash your hands again, just tell her WHEN you would actually wash your hands. Don't forget to protect your patience privacy w/ the curtain, and give the call light before exiting. It was all so easy!
Rebecca

I took it several months ago, and was really nervous about it. It turned out to be very easy although 3 people that were testing were CNA's that had recently failed, Don't forget to draw the curtain closed, you have to pretend. Don't forget to soak hands for bed bath and dont forget to chart urine or food intake/ outputs. You can't wash your hands to much. If you forget something, tell the instructor. But once you leave the patients room it's too late. It is easy the written is basically common sense. You will do fine! Good Luck Jennette:)

CrazyPremed, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 6, 2005

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

I've been practicing, and I feel much better. I wouldn't be so stressed about this but I need the cert for my RN application (and I want to work as a CNA). I'll keep everyone posted on our progress!

CrazyPremed

Ion · Aug 7, 2005

If there is no sink in the room, then you must pretend a sink does exist and act out washing your hands. Do well.

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2005

Good Luck CrazyPremed!! I need to work up the guts for this test too!!!! After Block 1...I have enough stress right now...

Please come back and let us know how it went for you!!

CrazyPremed, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 7, 2005

Good Luck CrazyPremed!! I need to work up the guts for this test too!!!! After Block 1...I have enough stress right now...
Please come back and let us know how it went for you!!

Which program are you in?

CrazyPremed

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2005

Glendale.:)

Which program are you in?
CrazyPremed

CrazyPremed, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 11, 2005

I passed the CNA exam!!!

Thanks for all of the advice. It was exactly like most of you said. The place (Experior) is very clean, professional, and I got the feeling that they wanted all of us to pass. As far as I know, everyone from my class (Phoenix Shanti Group) passed. Now on to the next step of my nursing career, becoming a CNA.

If anyone has any questions about the exam, feel free to ask. Thanks, again, everyone!!

CrazyPremed

PhoenixGirl · Aug 11, 2005

See, I told you it was a piece of cake! I know you were nervous, so I bet you feel so relieved.

Rebecca

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2005

You ROCK!!!:balloons: :smiley_aa Many congrats!!

Me next!!!:)

I passed the CNA exam!!!
Thanks for all of the advice. It was exactly like most of you said. The place (Experior) is very clean, professional, and I got the feeling that they wanted all of us to pass. As far as I know, everyone from my class (Phoenix Shanti Group) passed. Now on to the next step of my nursing career, becoming a CNA.
If anyone has any questions about the exam, feel free to ask. Thanks, again, everyone!!
CrazyPremed