I was approved by the State, even with a criminal history

[CNA/glorified maid]

I am so excited. Even with my 12yr old, "stupid" felony record, The State of Florida approved me. I guess my felony wasn't as big of an issue as I thought. I wasn't supposed to hear anything for another 3wks. I was supposed to give a phone interview, explaining my felony. But the State thought it to be( and I quote-"ridiculous"). So State exam date is the 25th of this month. of all my classmates, no one had to do vital signs for their task. so the way my luck is, I'll be the one to get that task. Should I bring my own stethescope??? I know they have some there, but Blood Pressure scares me the most. I cannot hear anything with mine. My neighbor, has a "littman 300" so she offered me hers. Now the real work begins. I feel like I am going to narrate everything I do, aloud, to help myself, with the step by step tasks, that I have to do on my Skills Test. I hope my tester doesn't fail me for talking to myself out loud. My brain is like a rolodex, I'm gonna go thru, in my mind every supply Item I need, to perform my tasks correctly. If I get a partial bed bath, I'm gonna grab a stack of wash cloths. because I'm not sure how many I really would need......Bottom line, there is still hope for anyone out there with a criminal history. Wish me luck guys!!!!

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Congratulations and MUCH good luck with your exam!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[Hope63]

I took the Florida CNA test last fall. Here is some advice, you can talk through the steps BUT they are watching for patient interaction too. So talk to your "patient" and interact with them. One person in my class didn't pass because they failed to do so. Good Luck :)

[CNA/glorified maid]

Thanks for the advice. I'm sure I'll have no problem talking to anyone. I am a talker. I just have a bad memory. So by talking the steps out loud to myself, will help me remember every step, for each task I perform. The one that;s gonna get me, is blood pressure.... I cannot hear anything!!!

[Hope63]

The person that didn't pass said every step out loud but didn't talk to the patient. Remember they want to see you interacting with them. Try adjusting the ear pieces on the stethescope so you can hear better. You actually turn them towards the front of your ear. One more thing, if you are asked if you are done with a skill in a questioning tone that is a hint you forgot something. So way no and then think through each step and make the correction.