Scared about my CNA exam. Any advice, tips?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I am taking my CNA exam in 4 days.

Anyone have any tips on passing? Basically I am freaking out about the skills part.

I am good with most of my skills. I got down, and can do. But I get really stressed out and nervous when under pressure. I am a real shy person, and when attention is all on me, I freak out. I have anxiety attacks and all that.

One of my big thing is indirect care. And no I am not talking about providing privacy and all that. I am talking about keeping up a conversation with my "patient" at the time of the test. I have a hard time doing that, let alone when I am being watched and having all this pressure on me. Any tips on that?

I work home health, so my job is to go to my patients homes. I am better at keeping conversations with someone when I am not under pressure. I did fine during my clinical's at school.

I have gone over every practice test I can find. I have gone over all my papers from class.

Just any tips or advice would be great right now.

Thanks!

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Practice, practice, practice. Practice with classmates and friends. Flash cards can be helpful as well. Also, Youtube has quite a few videos that demonstrates a simulated skills test. You may find that it helps to watch someone else do it and it'll give you an idea of what it'll be like.

Conversation with the "patient" shouldn't be that important come test time. Just remember to be polite, explain what skill you'll be doing on them, and address them as Mr. or Ms. ect...In fact that'll help you with your skills! If you explain the steps out as you do them it benefits you and your pt will feel more comfortable.

Good luck!

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They told us to act confident and professional and that is what I tried to do, worked for me, also I practiced a whole lot. I would have my husband sit in the corner while I worked on the 'pretend' patient, I talked a whole lot, explaining what I was doing and why. He would stop me every once and a while to correct me or clarify; that helped me bunches!! Review review review, and you will do fine. Oh I also pretended that my husband was sitting in the room it helped me relax, also take some slow deep breaths it helps your brain get oxygen and remember all of us went through it :D

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Thank you! I actually looked up youtube videos today. And have been watching them all day. I see most are just explaining their way through the whole skill. So that is probably what I will do, to help the conversation part. I have no one to practice on though. :/ I really hope I can pull through this. Thank you for your guys advice and help!

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Trust me it helps alot! And it is also very practical for real life application. Alot of the people you will take care of may like it when you explain what you are doing to them. It'll make them feel more comfortable and aware. And if you don't have anyone to practice on then play pretend...Get a stuffed animal or a dummy...They should have a lab at your school with dummies. It isn't the same as a person obviously and you may feel a bit dumb, however, it's better than nothing. I wish you all the best!

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Relax and take a deep breath .... you will do fine :)

I remember how nervous I was when I had to take mine. I thought I bombed it when I walked out because I forgot so many little details but ended up with an 86 percent. Remember to introduce yourself, check their name band, provide privacy, keep call light within reach, side rails up and bed in lowest position. You will do great - GOOD LUCK :)

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Thank you everyone! I practiced today on a huge stuff animal lol I am still nervous. I was driving to the library to get a book on CNA, it has practice test in it.. I was just thinking about it all and started crying. I had to pull over and breath. That is my anxiety kicking in. Like I said before I get anxiety attacks. :/

You get graded on % ?

My teacher from class told us that, if you miss a step in one skill thats it, and you fail.

I hope I can remember it all. For the life of me today I couldn't remember how to do ROM in order. ahhh I just want the day to come so I can stop worrying. :/

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good to practice, and I bet the stuffed animal enjoyed it :lol2:

Take a deep breath and relax, visualize all the steps just as if you are working on a resident/patient. In our state we have a state tester and she was very kind but professional, she would not tell you the answers but she would kindly direct you if you seem to have gotten off track.

At our facility you could ask to be a "resident" for the test, this helped those that were nervous to see what was really going to happen during the test, but truly you will do fine, just DON'T psych your self out!!!

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant.

You will do just fine! I have to take my state test real soon as well. If you've studied and practiced.....that's all you can do. Just exude confidence when you get in there and everything will come to you! Be sure to post and let everyone know when you pass! Best of luck....and you will do great! I'm praying for you! :hug:

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Thank you! I'm going to try my hardest. I really hope I can pass it. I honestly don't feel ready for some reason. My course was 2 weeks long, and even though, at that time it felt like forever, I wish it was longer. I feel I needed more practice, more time in the nursing home, more class time. lol I will for sure post if I pass or not. :/ hopefully its passing.

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Well, I did it! I passed!!! :) I got bed pan, pulse and respiration, and transferring pt. into wheel chair. Ahh, I was scared. lol But I did it. :) Thank you all for your advice!!

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:yeah: Congratulations, I knew you could do it!!! I am so happy for you
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