Waiting to take the CNA board exam, in the mean time what to do?

[sourapril]

Hi there,

Here is my situation. I finished my CNA class a couple weeks ago, sent my application for the board exam through my class (so that all of my classmates can take the exam together), but at this point we still don't know when we can take the exam (the class that finished in July took their exam in the first week of September, so I am not sure how long I have to wait to take mine). Anyway, I applied to some caregiver jobs while waiting, but background check, reference check are taking forever. I thought I did fine in all my interviews, but still don't have a solid job offer. The positions I applied are mostly in private homes. I can't find anything in the hospital. Most hospital patient care technician jobs requires 1 year experience as well as CNA certification. I haven't talked to the HR in the hospital but do you think I should? What would you do if you were in my shoes? The waiting is killing my confidence.

[10ACGIRL]

Yes, go ahead and talk to HR and "set your foot down" and be aggressive about your situatiion! Keep at "em" untill they know you ar there. I am waiting to take the written comp for a transfer of mine to Tennessee from Georgia. I was told by TN. Registry that some facilities will hire you while waitng to take the exam........well if that is true, them why do I not hear my cell phone ringing?

[sourapril]

One of my classmates was actually offered a job at a hospital while waiting for her CNA because her best friend's mom is a nurse at that hospital and basically promised her to hold the position until she passes the exam. It's so unfair.

[kristi22]

I have a question about the CNA exam... I am new with this site and didn't know how to start a new post so I am just writing it here! So far our class only learned how to do a few things, as it's only my 3rd day. The partial bed bath and denture/oral care (for example) had some very confusing steps. My question is if (during the state skills exam), if I were to mix up steps, but do all of them (just not in the order learned) but still follow all infection and safety control precautions... would I fail??? I am very nervous with the steps and need encouragement, please!!! Thanks to all!

[juliaann]

I have a question about the CNA exam... I am new with this site and didn't know how to start a new post so I am just writing it here! So far our class only learned how to do a few things, as it's only my 3rd day. The partial bed bath and denture/oral care (for example) had some very confusing steps. My question is if (during the state skills exam), if I were to mix up steps, but do all of them (just not in the order learned) but still follow all infection and safety control precautions... would I fail??? I am very nervous with the steps and need encouragement, please!!! Thanks to all!

Welcome to the site Kristi22! When you want to make a post of your own, towards the top of the page that lists all the current discussions: https://allnurses.com/cna-nursing-assistant/ for the CNA board, for example. There's a small long oval blue button that says "New Thread" and you can start your own discussion by choosing that!

Also, the degree to which the steps are important will probably depend on your evaluator during your state skills exam. You should try to memorize the steps, but when you're doing your skills a lot of the time if you realize you've done something out of order you can just tell your evaluator "oh wait, I should have put down the towel first," they'll let you continue. Sometimes if you have a lienent one they'll even say, "Is there something you'd like to do before beginning that step?" So don't freak out too much. Think more about WHY the steps are in the order they're in - keeping the patient covered, keeping the patient clean, saving time, keeping materials clean, not wanting to contaminate, etc. Try to think about the process instead of being overwhelmed with the steps and memorization!!