Florida CNA exam

CoffeemateCNA · May 7, 2010

During my skills exam we had to do the following skills:

Alone/on each other:

Vital signs (manual)

ROM exercises

Discuss feeding techniques

Handwashing

On a resident:

Transfer (was a x1 assist c gaitbelt)

Dressing/Undressing

Shower

Peri care

ADeks · May 7, 2010

I recently challenged the board, but I have been in nursing school for a year now. And I just went over the check list.

I had to perform hand-washing, re-positioning a patient, pulse and respirations, and hair& nail care on the another test taker. She had to perform dental care (he made her brush my teeth!), transferring a patient, and emptying a catheter bag too.

I thought it was a breeze, but I know the rest of them were stressing. So if you feel comfortable enough, then go for it :)

http://prometric.com/NR/rdonlyres/e4umqakng3sscbnbc66c4oh2xfdfavxtulzlc4qjvzlfsgdfqahkxusavqfhfqrk4wn2vvfzxi6z2tyk6g6jbmwbvvc/FLNAClinicalSkillsChecklist20071109.pdf

Futuremidwife0721 · May 7, 2010

Thank you for your help. I'm not quite sure I feel comfortable doing all of those things, guess I'll check out youtube videos for a while

CoffeemateCNA · May 7, 2010

I just reread your original post.

Since you are still doing your pre-reqs, have you taken a fundamentals of nursing or a med/surg course yet??

Check with your board of nursing, usually one of these courses is required to challenge the exam (unless you had taken a regular CNA course previously).

Futuremidwife0721 · May 7, 2010

I have not taken one of those classes yet. From my understanding in the state of Florida you are not required to take any classes, just need to pass the exam.

ADeks · May 9, 2010

Yea, you only have to pass the exam. But taking a small weekend class is only like $300 and you do it in like 3 days, I think? I'm not sure if that's an option for you, but maybe? Also, do you know any CNAs? Maybe you can ask them to show you the "proper" way of doing it?

Labunnie · Oct 30, 2011

i took the exam yesterday and I was also a challenger, I passed both written and practical on the first try. I too was using it to get into nursing school. But here's the thing though, it may be hard for some people if they can't handle pressure or they don't have the ability to be able to think critically. I didn't even purchase a CNA book, the only thing i looked at was the practice test on the florida prometric website of what the sample questions might be like. The main thing you need to get out of all this is what you will also need in nursing school is applying what you learned in the type of questions that is asked on these practice test and be able to apply the same concept on the CNA written test. you need to be in the CNA mind of thinking. If you read a test question, you need to be able to understand what the question is trying to teach you. I remember only doing 2 practice tests before i took the written, and i passed it!. For the practical, i was really nervous only b/c all i did was watch youtube videos and trying to understand what's going on. The main help i got was when i got to the facility, i talked to the rest of the people waiting to take the test and asked them how certain things were done, and to my surprise, they did it all differently. you need to find out how each facility do things and how they like certain skills to be performed, this is the only sure way you know you will pass. I didn't get to study too much before the exam, i looked at a few videos for about 3 hours the night before the practical, and talked to the students there the morning of and i passed with flying colors. the students were amazed how well i did. But it's not easy if you can't learn things quickly and apply yourself the best you can. It's a very intense feeling once you start the exam and that's only b/c i never had any training or step foot in a facility or touched any of the equipments, but you have to learn fast, i mean really really fast. the minute someone tells you the right way to do things or where things are kept, or any bit of helpful information, you need to take a mental note of that. It's like studying for an exam, all the last minute readings or touch ups counts severely. So with that said, i'm happy i passed as a challenger :) good luck to you all ! it can happen :)

Futuremidwife0721 · Oct 31, 2011

I ended up challenging the exam last year, passed, and got hired as a CNA within a week. Still trying to get into the nursing program, and still trying to get a job in a hospital instead of a rehab center. I took a first responder course, and will hopefully be starting the EMT program over the summer. Think I will go the EMT, paramedic, route to bridge to RN.

ADeks · Oct 31, 2011

That's a really long route to be a RN...

Futuremidwife0721 · Oct 31, 2011

I have been trying to get into the RN and LPN program already for 3 years. It is so competitive here and I'm not having any luck, while the paramedic program is pretty much open. I got accepted my first try. I'm tired of sitting around waiting, my husband is in the military so I'm running out of time here at this station.