Passed all the skills except perineal care. I left the stupid bath blanket on and didn't realize it (I had a feeling I forgot something, but I thought it was something more serious--along the lines of safety or infection control) until I was coming around the corner for my skill after peri-care. I stopped dead in my tracks. "The bath blanket!" I screamed. The observer made a note that I did end up remembering it and I fixed the mistake I made before going on with my skills. It honestly didn't even register that I left the bath blanket on, I was so nervous and the bath blanket and top linens were the same bright, bright white, that I just passed right over it. (But I had the feeling that I had forgotten something that I would normally do. You know that feeling?)
Found out a few hours ago that the scorer decided to fail me because of that. Between the news I received Monday about my uncle's recurrent cancer and failing this test, I am just so horribly bummed out.
I really am scared now to retest, I can't imagine failing this a second time. What will happen if I get something more difficult? What will I do wrong then?
---> 10/04/07 - CLICK HERE FOR UPDATE #1 (Hint: I didn't fail it the second time. )
---> 10/11/07 - CLICK HERE FOR UPDATE #2 (The ordeal is officially over. I passed the written test!)
Wow-Do you feel that your teacher really prepared you for the exam, or do you think the proctor is just really tough? :uhoh21:
Kind of both. The proctor, well, I'm not sure. It could be her and it could be the state laws and/or the testing company.
There was no preparation for the exam. When we had lab time, my instructor--for the most part--wasn't even there. I finally ended up having to tote my textbook with me to labs, because she wasn't even available to answer questions. (She then tried to tell me that I didn't need to bring my textbook. "No, I do need it unless someone who knows what the h*ll they're doing is going to be there.")
She also scheduled most of our lab time for taking BPs. I don't understand that. BPs could have been practiced, for the most part, at home. Tell me, why is there a need to spend two hours of lab time taking one BP after another? We could have spent that time practicing for things like height and weight, cath care, bed baths, etc.
I felt worse for the other students. Some really needed direction. The ones who had never been near hospital equipment or taken care of a seriously ill person (most of the class, basically) were having the worst time.
If I have one thing to say about that whole experience, it made me very glad that I'm able to learn most things independently. :uhoh21:
Just wanted to let everyone know that I took the skills exam again yesterday and passed! (Second time's a charm, eh? )
Got the same set of skills as the first time. Not sure if that is the way they do it, or if I just lucked out. Either way, I'm glad it's over with.
Oklahoma changed the rules concerning who was eligible to be the volunteer "patient." I ended up having to use someone from the school to be my patient; the people I knew that fit the criteria couldn't get out of work or school commitments.
I think I was more nervous this time around. My mind still went blank, luckily not as completely as before.
The only hitch was the volunteer's pulse. It was extremely difficult to count. Weak and highly irregular. I thought I was obliterating the pulse, but apparently not. (I thought I failed it for sure right then and there.) The observer even mentioned it to the volunteer after the test, so I hope it's nothing serious.
After the test, while waiting for my test to be scored, the observer (an RN) asked me if I was going to apply to the LPN program, encouraged me to, and then introduced me to the organizer of the program. She even told her some things about me that makes me surprised that my head still fits through doors! (Made me feel a little uncomfortable, to be honest. I'm the absolute worst at taking compliments.)
All right. Now I just need to get my written test scheduled and pass it. I'm better with written tests/book knowledge than I am with standing up and demonstrating skills, so I'm hoping I won't have any problems.
The only hitch was the volunteer's pulse. It was extremely difficult to count. Weak and highly irregular. I thought I was obliterating the pulse, but apparently not. (I thought I failed it for sure right then and there.) The observer even mentioned it to the volunteer after the test, so I hope it's nothing serious.
The same thing happened to me! I took my victim's pulse and it ended up being very high-I think it was around 90 bpm. I thought for sure I recorded it wrong and failed, but then the proctor took the pulse after I did, and she ended up with the same number.
Zooz - big hugs to you! I know its hard to go through testing. I felt the same way too. We all go through that with someone watching and evaluating on how they would do it. I got deducted points for not washing my hands long enough (I timed it & did happy birthday) go figure! Others in my class did not pass and they DID take it again. I would strongly urge you to seriously reconsider taking the test. Perhaps it was a bit too much pressure with the instructor. Sometimes that happens. With the next one you get you may feel more comfortable. You may also get the same skills to do. Think of it as more time to practice. Do just that take a friend/hubby/family member and pretend their the pt. Do it over and over and over again. Never let someone let you give up on your dream. The only way we learn is by failing. I do hope you reconsider - I am routing for you!! Let me know what you decide :)
Zooz - big hugs to you! I know its hard to go through testing. I felt the same way too. We all go through that with someone watching and evaluating on how they would do it. I got deducted points for not washing my hands long enough (I timed it & did happy birthday) go figure! Others in my class did not pass and they DID take it again. I would strongly urge you to seriously reconsider taking the test. Perhaps it was a bit too much pressure with the instructor. Sometimes that happens. With the next one you get you may feel more comfortable. You may also get the same skills to do. Think of it as more time to practice. Do just that take a friend/hubby/family member and pretend their the pt. Do it over and over and over again. Never let someone let you give up on your dream. The only way we learn is by failing. I do hope you reconsider - I am routing for you!! Let me know what you decide :)
Good fortune to you!
Awww... Thank you so much. :icon_hug:
You must have missed my post up above you. I took the skills exam again yesterday, and I did pass it. So relieved.
The same thing happened to me! I took my victim's pulse and it ended up being very high-I think it was around 90 bpm. I thought for sure I recorded it wrong and failed, but then the proctor took the pulse after I did, and she ended up with the same number.
CONGRATS ON PASSING!!
Thanks! :icon_hug:
And I forgot to mention this, but I remembered the bath blanket this time. The whole time I was doing pericare I was thinking: Bath blanket, bath blanket. Don't forget the bath blanket.
Something I would otherwise do automatically and for some reason I have to consciously think about it when I'm being tested on it. I'll never understand it...
Hi Zooz - Congrats on passing the skill set - I knew you would be fine. I did miss your previous post.
How great is that they approached you on the LPN program - such a good feeling. I too am on the same pathway as you. I should be in the 08 program - can't wait! :)
You will do fine on the written - truly it was a breeze. As long as you read and paid attention in class you will be fine. Let me know how you do!
You corrected yourself -- it's not like you walked away and left it on for the resident to freeze, or left her naked, or forgot to pull the curtain! Please do test again, skills tests are intimidating but your job will be rewarding in the end. You sound like a caring person, we need those around in the nursing world. :) Besides, in my opinion, your evaluator should've given you a break. At least around here, if you correct anything you do from any skill before your test is over, you get the credit. Oh well, you'll have next time to do better!
Sorry about your uncle. You and your family will be in my thoughts.
Congratulations, zooz! I'm so excited to hear your good news.
Yesterday I took my test and had female peri-care. BECAUSE OF YOU and your former post, I remembered the remove the bath blanket and cover the resident with a sheet. So, a great big THANK YOU goes out to you!! You don't realize but every little bit of information on this site helps!
Congratulations, zooz! I'm so excited to hear your good news.
Yesterday I took my test and had female peri-care. BECAUSE OF YOU and your former post, I remembered the remove the bath blanket and cover the resident with a sheet. So, a great big THANK YOU goes out to you!! You don't realize but every little bit of information on this site helps!
:smiley_aa
Thank you! And "yay" for not forgetting! :balloons:
I'm glad to know that something good came out of my mistake.
I also want to say thank you to amanda1229 and Suesquatch for their kind words. Means a lot to me! :icon_hug:
omg, i did not think that was a crucial element on the skills portion! i am about to take that exam...... so now i am worried! i am then moving on to become rn, sooooooo if i am this worried about the cna, then do you have any idea what i am feeling right now walking into nursing school!!! lol ( and i am sure you all do) i have to laugh, to keep from crying!!!
)
(Made me feel a little uncomfortable, to be honest. I'm the absolute worst at taking compliments.)
zooz
196 Posts
Kind of both. The proctor, well, I'm not sure. It could be her and it could be the state laws and/or the testing company.
There was no preparation for the exam. When we had lab time, my instructor--for the most part--wasn't even there. I finally ended up having to tote my textbook with me to labs, because she wasn't even available to answer questions. (She then tried to tell me that I didn't need to bring my textbook. "No, I do need it unless someone who knows what the h*ll they're doing is going to be there.")
She also scheduled most of our lab time for taking BPs. I don't understand that. BPs could have been practiced, for the most part, at home. Tell me, why is there a need to spend two hours of lab time taking one BP after another? We could have spent that time practicing for things like height and weight, cath care, bed baths, etc.
I felt worse for the other students. Some really needed direction. The ones who had never been near hospital equipment or taken care of a seriously ill person (most of the class, basically) were having the worst time.
If I have one thing to say about that whole experience, it made me very glad that I'm able to learn most things independently. :uhoh21: