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Discussion

CNA Exam

Hi Everyone,

I finally received a testing date for my examination & skills evaluation (next week). I have to admit, I am quite nervous. I finished my class about 1.5 months ago, so I have been out of practice for quite a few skills I could potentially be tested on.

I was wondering if the good people of All Nurses would be willing to share some insight, specifically for the skills portion.

If you passed, tips on how you got to that point.

If you failed, a reflection on what you could have done to change that.

I truly appreciate any and all tips/advice.

Thank you for your time.

Featured Replies

Hi,

I like you also was out of the loop in regards to school. I went a whole year from graduating school to finally taking the test to be a certified nursing assistant. I did however work as a caregiver that full year so I did utilize my skills daily. I can say what I used to pass the practical part of the test is to use YouTube. There are a bunch of videos showing the correct way to enter a room, make occupied beds, taking vitals, bed baths, cleaning urinary output bags, etc.

For the written portion, try and remember the basis of the test is to ensure patient safety. So try and stay within your scope of practice. Usually if its anything technical, they want you to refer to the charge nurse (they used that terminology in my test if I remember correctly). If theres any changes with the patient, they want you to immediately notify the nurse. Basically stay within your scope of practice while glorifying patient safety and wellbeing. If you can remember that, the written portion is a piece of cake.

Your going to do wonderful!!

Kadeem

  • Author
Hi,

I like you also was out of the loop in regards to school. I went a whole year from graduating school to finally taking the test to be a certified nursing assistant. I did however work as a caregiver that full year so I did utilize my skills daily. I can say what I used to pass the practical part of the test is to use YouTube. There are a bunch of videos showing the correct way to enter a room, make occupied beds, taking vitals, bed baths, cleaning urinary output bags, etc.

For the written portion, try and remember the basis of the test is to ensure patient safety. So try and stay within your scope of practice. Usually if its anything technical, they want you to refer to the charge nurse (they used that terminology in my test if I remember correctly). If theres any changes with the patient, they want you to immediately notify the nurse. Basically stay within your scope of practice while glorifying patient safety and wellbeing. If you can remember that, the written portion is a piece of cake.

Your going to do wonderful!!

Kadeem

Thank you Kadeem!

I appreciate your input, great advice for the written! I am definitely relying on YouTube.

I'm a little concerned with forgetting some steps. Is it true that you have the opportunity to state that you have made a mistake (if it's not hand washing or considered a "critical element step")?

I'm not in the program yet but i was wondering how much does the test cost?

I'm not in the program yet but i was wondering how much does the test cost?

It's $101 in my state. If you have to retake the skills portion it's $71; written is $30.

In my state they only test you on one skill. And it's random so you could get something easy. Good luck you'll do fine

Wow!!! In IL all we have is a written portion! No skills test!

  • Author

Wow, you guys are lucky!

In my state it's a written exam and then 30 minutes for 5 randomly selected skills. Technically 4 are randomly selected as one is hand washing. The rest are categorized as one being a measurement skill and the last three are personal care.

  • Author

Hey everyone!

I passed!

Thank you for the tips!

We had a written exam of 70 questions, my five skills were:

Hand Washing

Respirations

Feeding

Transfer (bed to wheel chair)

Catheter Care

  • Author

Any resume tips?

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