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Discussion

RE-taking CNA Class

Hi there,

I am a pre-nursing student who has taken Psychology, Human Development, Microbiology, and am about to take Nutrition or A&P.

The thing is, I passed my CNA computer exam with flying colors, but failed my Skills assessment -- I've never failed any test in my entire life, am typically an A- student, and it makes me feel that I'm a different type of learner, or wasn't provided enough time to practice to get the skills down by heart.

My question is, if I do need more help, more actual practice, not video-watching, how can I make this happen? Like we were learning blood pressure on actual, not digital cuffs, which I never learned how to use. We were also told to memorize all of the supplied we needed, and I was sure I didn't know that.

We were not allowed to video our instructor telling us how to specifically do each move, and then also told that online videos were from other states and would not help us pass our exam.

I wasn't the only who failed, and I feel like the class could've been twice as long. I was barely beginning to understand what and why we were doing what we were doing. We practiced on mannequins and then part of the test were on life humans. We never practiced the vast majority of our skills like ROM, bed bath, back massage, and the focal point of our clinicals seemed to involve figuring out how to get a 101 yo woman bundled in such a way that we could attach her to a machine and swing her into her wheelchair.

The people at the nursing home didn't make conservation and were barely conscious. Working on them was a bit depressing and didn't make me want to be a CNA anyway, but it is a required prerequisite for my nursing programme.

Can someone give me some motivation//inspiration regarding CNA skills? They are not entirely unlike midwifery skills, which what I actually want to practice, but I wish I could do them on a different population.

Thoughts? Better ways to Study? I have to be successful this time if I pay enough money to re-take CNA class for the Skills component.

Thanks!

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    I would recommend watching videos on YouTube to get a general idea of what you're supposed to be doing. There isn't really a correct way to do things as long as what you're doing is safe.

    I would say practice with people. If you can, voice record yourself while doing and saying the skills the way you were taught in school.

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    I think Pearson Vue offers a printout of the skills with the exact order and such. I would print that out (email or call them if you can't find it, they are very helpful) and then practice, practice, practice. Get someone to let you practice on them, or at least do it with a pillow or something. Good luck!

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    In VA, we also had similar issues with teaching styles of the skills conflicting with the actual Skills Assessment. What I learned to do was go through the skills checklist brochure sent out by the VA Board of Nursing and practice! I practiced a ton of times as videos/reading really don't cement anything for me. I usually did this on a family member as your skills will be on another able-bodied person. Really emphasize on the vitals--I bought a cheaper BP cuff and stethescope from CVS and practiced cleaning the materials, taking BP, writing it down, etc. I had to get in there and perform out each skill (introductions, washing hand, bringing materials, performing the skill, ending steps, etc). The clinicals and nursing homes do not go by the books, and they will often teach you how to do skills very differently from the state. Make sure you know all your supplies you will need, so when you are demonstrating the skill you are grabbing the right components. I had to continually say it outloud during my skills portion of the exam while doing the actions in order to pass both sections the first time!! Good Luck :)

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    One thing one of our instructors suggested was to close your eyes and visualize yourself doing all the steps. Also practicing on family members whenever you can. We had printouts of each skill with all the steps and went through which steps were critical (miss = autofail). Also writing out each skill helped cement steps. We had to do it in a certain format our teacher came up with, but I don't know if it would apply to other states.

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    Hey don't get your motivation down!

    CNA is a very though you are right but it is worth it.

    Your talking about a job that can literally save people life - so don't give up on it.

    Like other people comment here I recommend you to prepare yourself with some online resources like CNA Practice Test and after you feel enough confidence answering the questions right go to take another exam and we wish you to pass the first time.

    God bless you and good luck

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