In need of advice for state exam.

[natd9]

It's the Michigan state exam, by the way. I have a couple of questions.

Is the written portion of the exam from the basics taught in CNA classes? I took the CNA course through Red Cross and still have the textbook. I'm re-reading it to hopefully prepare me for the exam. I took the quiz posted on MI's Prometric website, but missed more than half of the questions. I always did well on the quizzes at Red Cross, and my teacher said I would do well on the written exam. But a lot of the questions on MI's site, I had no clue about. I'm very worried about it now. I just want to know for those who took the exam if it's just common sense questions or extensive knowledge about the specifics is needed.

For the skills portion: Are we supposed to know the supplies needed for each skills? Say, if bed bath is one skill, is the test taker to remember and gather the supplies needed for it, like a bath blanket, etc... or are the supplies already set out for us?

Last question: Do we have to wear scrubs to the exam or are everyday clothes OK? Silly question, but I'm paranoid about everything.

Thanks.

[Ev1987]

Continue to study through your notes and textbook for the written exam. When you feel a little more comfortable, practice the Prometric quiz again. I took the course and exam through the red cross, and was expected to remember the tools needed and how to perform the skill correctly. Imagine if this was a real case scenario. Is the nurse going to collect your supplies for you everytime you need to perform ADL's on a resident? No way.

[emily_ganshert]

It's the Michigan state exam, by the way. I have a couple of questions.

Is the written portion of the exam from the basics taught in CNA classes? I took the CNA course through Red Cross and still have the textbook. I'm re-reading it to hopefully prepare me for the exam. I took the quiz posted on MI's Prometric website, but missed more than half of the questions. I always did well on the quizzes at Red Cross, and my teacher said I would do well on the written exam. But a lot of the questions on MI's site, I had no clue about. I'm very worried about it now. I just want to know for those who took the exam if it's just common sense questions or extensive knowledge about the specifics is needed.

For the skills portion: Are we supposed to know the supplies needed for each skills? Say, if bed bath is one skill, is the test taker to remember and gather the supplies needed for it, like a bath blanket, etc... or are the supplies already set out for us?

Last question: Do we have to wear scrubs to the exam or are everyday clothes OK? Silly question, but I'm paranoid about everything.

Thanks.

Hey, don't freak out. I passed both written and skills portion on the first try. The written part was EXTREMELY easy; a lot of common sense stuff. As far as the skills portion goes, yeah, you definitely need to know what supplies to use. And for God's sakes, remember to say, "I'll wash my hands" before anything else. This is important. But the judges I had were really cool, and would kind of give me hints if I forgot something. Just take a deep breath and you'll do fine. Good luck!

[CoffeemateCNA]

Don't stress. Really.

The written portion is totally manageable. I thought my teacher's in-class tests were easy, and the state exam was even easier. If you know your facts, you will do fine. Usually 2 (if not 3) of the answers are obviously bogus. Sometimes you may get stuck between 2, but often the correct answer is clear if you think it through.

Some of the questions are straight facts: i.e. What is the range for normal systolic pressure of the older adult?

Others require more application: Which of the following residents would be the best candidate for bowel and bladder retraining?

The skills portion was the most stressful, but again, doable. The test proctors are people, too, and they really DO want you to pass the test (regardless of what it may seem like at times!!). You will have to set out your own supplies. Just think the procedures through before you do them -- run it through in your mind, then gather whatever supplies you used.

Wear scrubs. Just remember that when doing direct patient care, there is always the chance of getting various body fluids on yourself. You don't want to deal with pukey Prada, vomitty Versace, and gucky Gucci. Scrubs are always the best way to go.

[natd9]

Thanks for the help!