CNA credentials expired.....retest? or take courses again?

LCinTraining · Sep 30, 2012

Never got trained to shave a patient. In fact, I work as an aide and am not a CNA. I got into the job with my EMT cert. none the less, first time a guy asked me to shave him I looked at him, I looked at the razor, held it up and said "I've never shaved a guy before. You sure you trust me with this thing?" He flat out laughed at me. A real hard belly laugh. I shrugged and took that as a yes. I missed a few spots but did not slice his jugular vein. I'd say it was a success.

PurplePRN · Sep 30, 2012

Never got trained to shave a patient. In fact, I work as an aide and am not a CNA. I got into the job with my EMT cert. none the less, first time a guy asked me to shave him I looked at him, I looked at the razor, held it up and said "I've never shaved a guy before. You sure you trust me with this thing?" He flat out laughed at me. A real hard belly laugh. I shrugged and took that as a yes. I missed a few spots but did not slice his jugular vein. I'd say it was a success.

LOL! That's such a funny story!

It is showing up on my paperwork that I must shave a real patient to pass. I'm going to start calling proctors this week and see what is in store for me. I know I was a fantastic CNA, and I don't feel nervous providing care at all. I love it, actually. I remember feeling good about being exhausted at the end of my shifts. Because it meant I made a lot of difference that day. I'm just afraid I will do something bone headed. I was reading the testing requirements and you even get points marked off if you allow your scrubs to touch the sink when you wash your hands. After reading that, I started to worry. What if there are some tiny details I miss?

funtimes · Sep 30, 2012

I doubt there have been any great technological advances in CNA work in the last decade. What little might have changed makes the job easier, not more complicated, like tympanic and temporal thermometers. We still use Hoyer lifts, they are usually battery powered instead of some hand crank hydraulic deal, but they were probably mostly battery powered ones 10 years ago too. I also havent come across any hand crank beds outside of CNA school thank god.

Might as well take the test. Worst case scenario you fail and have to retake it, or decide to take a course again. As long as you know what you might be tested on and have the specific steps for how they want it done, you should be able to memorize the steps before you go. I couldnt imagine having to sit through another 8 week CNA class.

They are always changing CPR/AED steps, so maybe retake a CPR class, BLS if you plan on working in a hospital. Then again if it matters whoever hires you would probably pay for the class if not give it themselves.

PurplePRN · Sep 30, 2012

I doubt there have been any great technological advances in CNA work in the last decade. What little might have changed makes the job easier, not more complicated, like tympanic and temporal thermometers. We still use Hoyer lifts, they are usually battery powered instead of some hand crank hydraulic deal, but they were probably mostly battery powered ones 10 years ago too. I also havent come across any hand crank beds outside of CNA school thank god.
Might as well take the test. Worst case scenario you fail and have to retake it, or decide to take a course again. As long as you know what you might be tested on and have the specific steps for how they want it done, you should be able to memorize the steps before you go. I couldnt imagine having to sit through another 8 week CNA class.
They are always changing CPR/AED steps, so maybe retake a CPR class, BLS if you plan on working in a hospital. Then again if it matters whoever hires you would probably pay for the class if not give it themselves.

LOL! Hoyers were people powered when I was a CNA. I'm only doing this to eliminate another class from my roster while in nursing school. We are required to take an advanced CPR class before school starts too, so I'm on that. Thanks for making me feel a bit better!

mindyfromcali · Sep 30, 2012

If they're re-testing you, I don't think you have to actually shave hair off a person. You just have to demonstrate knowledge and "fake shave" them. Look up CNA skills videos and you should be good. All of the skills are relatively the same, start with knocking on the door, intro of yourself, what you're there to do, check their name on their wrist, close curtain for privacy, make sure following safety procedures for each type of skill and such. There are a lot of threads on the skills testing by the way on here.

PurplePRN · Sep 30, 2012

If they're re-testing you, I don't think you have to actually shave hair off a person. You just have to demonstrate knowledge and "fake shave" them. Look up CNA skills videos and you should be good. All of the skills are relatively the same, start with knocking on the door, intro of yourself, what you're there to do, check their name on their wrist, close curtain for privacy, make sure following safety procedures for each type of skill and such. There are a lot of threads on the skills testing by the way on here.

You're a peach! Thanks!!