CNA state nursing skills and written exam - My experience

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I just wanted to post this for other CNA students because as a student I could not find many personal experiences before my state exam for guidance. Anway, I passed everything and here is my experience and what I was marked off on.

First of all, I WAS SO NERVOUS, so was everyone else, and had no idea what to expect.

We had 4 R.N's testing us. They first had us fill out a registration form. Out of the 32 people there, around 19 had to go home because they didn't have the proper paperwork. S.S. card. state DL, etc.

So make sure before you go for your testing you have EXACTLY what you need paperwork wise all in order. Or they will immediately send you home and you will have to reschedule your test date.

The first skill they had us all perform was hand-washing. I passed. I was marked off though for rubbing my hands together during rinsing off the soap as was another girl.

My second skill was to enact a PPE situation, and put on gown and gloves for an isolation resident. The instructor told me to pretend I was walking into an isolation room and put them on before entering. I was shaking so badly from nervousness it took me about 3 minutes to tie the gown behind my neck! But I got through it. I explained to her that I would tie my gown to total enclosure as to not be exposed and she nodded yes. Then she had me explain to her my opening and closing procedure for a person in isolation.

I have to note here that: you must remember even though it isn't a real situation you have to remember gloves on gloves off and handwashing before and after all care. They didn't expect us to do these steps physically but wanted us to vocalize them and that was their main focus.*

My third skill was position resident into a side-lying lateral position.I passed but was marked off for not pulling the resident closer to my side with draw sheet before rolling into the side lying position. She said I put the resident/model too far to the side and should have brought them closer to me before rolling.

My fourth skill was to brush resident's teeth, which the instructor had me mimic on her. I passed but I forgot to vocalize that I would put on gloves. Luckily she was very cool and asked me before I completed "What would you have done differently to protect yourself for infection control" And I realized, forgot to vocalize gloves on, and told her that, so I passed.

So I passed the skills testing. Now for the written which came after.. the questions are very common sense but can be confusing because sometimes 2 answers are right. When that happens just pick the BEST possible answer that protects the principles of care.

Overall, I was so nervous about the testing, but the R.N's talked to us beforehand and told us that as long as we just do what we have learned, and can answer their questions we will be fine. My testers were very

good in that they weren't looking to fail anyone.. just looking to see if we know what to do and why. If we missed something.. because it's a strange scenario without real privacy curtains, doors etc... they would question us to see if we knew and pass based on that.

The testers also told us before skills test that they aren't looking for perfection as they realize every detail is a lot to memorize and differs they just want to be sure that we KNOW the six principles of care.. They mainly focused on vocalizing hand washing, putting on gloves, and giving correct measurements (height, weight, b.p., pulse)

The testing may vary state to state but what I witnessed is that all of the CNAs may have different schooling, but all the test examiners are looking to see is that you KNOW the principles of care.

Sorry if this was long! I just wanted to put this out there to help any other anxious CNA testers out there! I hope it might help someone somehow.

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This was very helpful, thank you!:specs:

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thanks for the view!

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Excellent, brings back my exam...

I like that you mentioned the principles of care. The skills become easier to complete when one remembers those six principles of care.

Congratulations on obtaining your certification!

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What would be appropriate ID apart from the DL? In our state, the name has to be identical with the driver's license, so my passport is out because it uses my whole middle name, not just the initial.

Of the ones that only use the initial, I do have a student ID card, automobile insurance card, Blue Cross Blue Shield card, AARP card, Vehicle registration card, Voters Registration card. Will any of these do? None of them are photo ID just my DL card. I plan on taking them all to the testing site!

Thanks for any feedback about the ID's required.

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What would be appropriate ID apart from the DL? In our state, the name has to be identical with the driver's license, so my passport is out because it uses my whole middle name, not just the initial.

Of the ones that only use the initial, I do have a student ID card, automobile insurance card, Blue Cross Blue Shield card, AARP card, Vehicle registration card, Voters Registration card. Will any of these do? None of them are photo ID just my DL card. I plan on taking them all to the testing site!

Thanks for any feedback about the ID's required.

In my testing group they would only accept a state dl, which matches exactly to your form submitted from your R.N. instructor ( name, address, hair color, etc.) A valid social security card. And the form submitted from your R.N. instructor could not have any "scratch outs with initials", it had to be perfect. Also they did not accept passports or expired dl.

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Excellent, brings back my exam...

I like that you mentioned the principles of care. The skills become easier to complete when one remembers those six principles of care.

Congratulations on obtaining your certification!

Thank you! And honestly it really is the principles of care that matter, every skill has minuit details that everyone may do but as long as you maintain the principles it doesn't matter how you do it. That's how the state tests.

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Thank you for the feedback! I am waiting for my letter telling me when to test. I will try to give feedback on this thread when it is over.

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Thank you very much for this thread! It was very helpful! My test is tomorrow morning with the American Red Cross. Eek!

Thanks for the tips!

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