Have to "PROVE" I'm a CNA in my LVN school (m)

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 22, 2005

Hi Everyone. I am currently in an LVN program where one of the pre-requisites is that you have your CNA certificate. Well I have had my CNA certificate for 3 years and been working in an acute care hospital for 3 years since I got certified. I started the program June 13th (We started with A&P) then once we passed A&P with an acceptable grade, we went on to the real part of the nursing program. That started September 1st. The school I go to also offers CNA program as well. We were all told on the 1st day of class "Be prepared to prove that you are a CNA in the state of California" I thought this meant that we needed to bring proof of our CNA certification and it had to be in our file. It was a requirement that it be there by the 26th of August, and mine was. NO, what she meant was that she is giving us a WRITTEN and SKILLS test on CNA material. Ok, I know I can probably do this in my sleep since I do it every weekend working my 12 hour shifts, but the throught of having to PROVE something that I have already proven to a state tester makes me upset! I am here to learn how to be an LVN, not to test my CNA skills. The graduating class before us DID NOT HAVE TO DO THIS, but they are all also CNA's!
Has anyone else had to do this? Alot of the students are really upset by this and I for one don't feel I need to prove it to this school because my state certificate should be enough to stand up!

Hello, pink2blue,:balloons:

It could be that the administration wants to see if you can complete basic written and clinical skills. If you cannot, they probably want you to take the CNA course offered by the nursing program.

mariedoreen · Sep 23, 2005

Yeah, that's ridiculous IMO. All we need to do is show proof. Already been through the class, already went through the stress and drama of testing successfully for the state. To have someone make me do it again when I'm paying $$ to move on would be highly annoying.

pink2blue1 · Sep 23, 2005

Hello, pink2blue,:balloons:
It could be that the administration wants to see if you can complete basic written and clinical skills. If you cannot, they probably want you to take the CNA course offered by the nursing program.

I could see that if I was NOT a CNA, but I AM! I have been for 3 years and I already have passed the test. I have already taken a program. I wouldn't pay to take it again when I am already certified. It's just frustrating.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2005

I could see that if I was NOT a CNA, but I AM! I have been for 3 years and I already have passed the test. I have already taken a program. I wouldn't pay to take it again when I am already certified. It's just frustrating.

Yes, it's rediculous and repetitive, but so are lots of things in nursing school.

....And in nursing! :chuckle

KrysyRN, BSN · Sep 23, 2005

Instead of looking at this in a negative light, try to look at the positive aspects of what the school is asking. This is a way of the school being able to weed out those that received certification but retained none of what they learned. The school is able to "catch" those individuals and offer retraining. This is a good thing! :) For those of you that feel confident of your abilities, the test will be a walk in the park.

pink2blue1 · Sep 23, 2005

Instead of looking at this in a negative light, try to look at the positive aspects of what the school is asking. This is a way of the school being able to weed out those that received certification but retained none of what they learned. The school is able to "catch" those individuals and offer retraining. This is a good thing! :) For those of you that feel confident of your abilities, the test will be a walk in the park.

I feel confident in my abilities, it's just been 3 years since I have taken the written test. I am a working CNA so I know how to do my job. My point is that this was NOT a pre-req, only BEING a CNA and showing proof of current CNA certification is what was required. For me to have to stop and study for a CNA test when I have so much other stuff to be studying for just seems wrong. I am confident in skills, I do them on a weekly basis on live patients. It has just got alot of us stressed out. That's all I just needed to vent

mariedoreen · Sep 24, 2005

I feel confident in my abilities, it's just been 3 years since I have taken the written test. I am a working CNA so I know how to do my job. My point is that this was NOT a pre-req, only BEING a CNA and showing proof of current CNA certification is what was required. For me to have to stop and study for a CNA test when I have so much other stuff to be studying for just seems wrong. I am confident in skills, I do them on a weekly basis on live patients. It has just got alot of us stressed out. That's all I just needed to vent

I understand what you're saying. Tests just do not always equate with job skills. You still have to study and prep so you don't forget step number 27 out of 53 on how to take a blood pressure for pete's sake. Step number 27 wouldn't mean squat out in the real world (hence the reason you forgot it) but it's oh-so-critical in boot camp for nurses. You're getting a raw deal. Most likely the first of many my friend. Welcome to nursing school.