Please Give Me Some Advice (CNA Test)

[annabelle2222]

Let's jump right into it. I am a junior at a Cal State, and I want to apply to nursing. I was ready last spring to apply, but I did not because something went wrong: I failed my CNA test. I had a pretty good GPA, TEAS test, additional language credits, but the 300 hours of my CNA school I could not count because I did not pass the test so I technically had 0 volunteer hours.

I took the class a year ago (you have two years from the date of your graduation to take it.) I was an 18 year old broke college kid, so I had to use all my savings to pay for the class and the commute. No joke, most days I had $.10 cents in my bank account. I went to class 4 days a week, 8 hours a day and then went to work.

Basically, I could not afford the fee to pay the test and take it with my class, so Fall semester started and in September I took the exam. I looked over the skills test manual, and the next morning went to take the test. Passed the written no problem, went to take the skills test (so nervous I could throw up.) I went through the skills, and the last one was bedpan. I guess I put the bedpan a little higher up, but I thought I did fine. (I asked the "patient" if it was comfortable for her, she said yes so idk why the woman failed me...oh well.) I got the test back, and I did perfect on everything but the bedpan. It said I had made a critical error, but when I spoke to the proctor, she could not seem to explain what critical error I made.

Anyway, I was upset but took the test at the same location again. I tried to study, but was so nervous I wanted to cry. This time, I kind of messed up on a lot of stuff. All I could think was "I am going to fail." So all this happened last year, and I have been petrified to take the test the third time (after 3 times, you have to retake the class, which I cant afford.)

I know I am capable of this stuff, but since its been a year, I really need advice on what to do, how to practice, what to expect from the test, etc.

I am also going to take it at a different exam location.

I am doing my hospital internship, but I really want to work as a CNA and put myself through school, and learn about nursing. I do alot of the stuff a CNA would do while I am interning, but the urgency of "I have to pass" makes me even more nervous to take it,

I know I can pass it if I study and practice so much that it is second nature, but what do YOU guys recommend? Are their video links, study tips, how to remember skills, what to expect from the test, how to not be so nervous, etc.

I need this so badly, and I want it. I am starting with scheduling the test for November, but I know in order to pass I need to prepare now.

Please help!