Testing out of CNA exam???

WannaBeNrse · Apr 19, 2007

Hey,

i am at Ridgewater College in Hutchinson. I live out in the sticks ;-)

Btw, you can go to the promissor web site and take the nursing assistant practise test (60 questions). alot of these questions are the same or similar to the ones that you'd get on the state test (if normandale uses promissor...but even if they dont, it gives you an idea of what you need to know)

Good Luck to you!

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2007

Ok, maybe I might need som clarification...I too have heard of people that have basically challenged the CNA test.....and those people were foreign nurses who came here and were going to be taking the boards in California for their RN license.....This was back in the late 90's.....as a matter of fact I never knew that one of my friends was a nurse in the Philippines until she actually passed the RN exam.....but she challenged the CNA and passed....

For people who have never taken the CNA class and to just go out and challenge and pass the clinical portion of it just doesn't seem right to me... IMO how do you know if a procedure that you're doing is correct? How do you know you're making the right transfer? Yes, reading the book does help, but it isn't your instructor.....Your instructor is there to assist you and make sure that you're doing it the right way and that you're not going to put your patient in danger.......I for one wouldn't want a CNA to help me who had never taken the class or clinical portion before helping me or my loved one....it is just too much of a risk....

casi, ASN, RN · Apr 19, 2007

I was told by my CNA instructor that you can challenge the MN test, but very few people succeed with this. Most people who challenge are those that have worked as an NA or something simlar, but aren't certified or registered.

The written portion of the test really is just common sense with a couple of numbers you need to memorize. The skills test was a bit harder for me, but that was because I was nervous and kept forgetting steps.

The costs that you're paying really are the norm in Minnesota for the nursing assistant course. The only way you can get it cheaper is to be trained by a nursing home. Ways to cut down on cost would be to buy the books used off half.com or amazon.com. Chances are you wont even need the books, personally I wouldn't bother buying them unless the instructor insists upon it. Then when it comes to baby sitting, it's the summer, find a highschool student that you can swoon with $20 and icecream. Also in Minnesota if you work for a nursing home after the program they have to reimburse you for your education. It might be worth giving up a weekend everyother month for.

luvmy3kids · Apr 20, 2007

Hey,
i am at Ridgewater College in Hutchinson. I live out in the sticks ;-)
Btw, you can go to the promissor web site and take the nursing assistant practise test (60 questions). alot of these questions are the same or similar to the ones that you'd get on the state test (if normandale uses promissor...but even if they dont, it gives you an idea of what you need to know)
Good Luck to you!

I have some friends from college that lived in Hutch! Thanks for the tip... I'll check it out!

luvmy3kids · Apr 20, 2007

Ok, maybe I might need som clarification...I too have heard of people that have basically challenged the CNA test.....and those people were foreign nurses who came here and were going to be taking the boards in California for their RN license.....This was back in the late 90's.....as a matter of fact I never knew that one of my friends was a nurse in the Philippines until she actually passed the RN exam.....but she challenged the CNA and passed....
For people who have never taken the CNA class and to just go out and challenge and pass the clinical portion of it just doesn't seem right to me... IMO how do you know if a procedure that you're doing is correct? How do you know you're making the right transfer? Yes, reading the book does help, but it isn't your instructor.....Your instructor is there to assist you and make sure that you're doing it the right way and that you're not going to put your patient in danger.......I for one wouldn't want a CNA to help me who had never taken the class or clinical portion before helping me or my loved one....it is just too much of a risk....

I'm not sure about other people, but like I said in my case... I won't be working as a CNA. I just have to get my certification to apply to nursing school. So as far as my putting anyone in danger, that wouldn't apply.

If it were that I were going to work as a CNA... then I agree. Testing out of the class probably wouldn't be a good idea. But there is just no chance of that. I cannot work right now with 3 kids, and a husband who is gone M-F every week.

And... I've decided I'm going to take the class anyhow... so it doesn't apply to me anymore...

luvmy3kids · Apr 20, 2007

I was told by my CNA instructor that you can challenge the MN test, but very few people succeed with this. Most people who challenge are those that have worked as an NA or something simlar, but aren't certified or registered.
The written portion of the test really is just common sense with a couple of numbers you need to memorize. The skills test was a bit harder for me, but that was because I was nervous and kept forgetting steps.
The costs that you're paying really are the norm in Minnesota for the nursing assistant course. The only way you can get it cheaper is to be trained by a nursing home. Ways to cut down on cost would be to buy the books used off half.com or amazon.com. Chances are you wont even need the books, personally I wouldn't bother buying them unless the instructor insists upon it. Then when it comes to baby sitting, it's the summer, find a highschool student that you can swoon with $20 and icecream. Also in Minnesota if you work for a nursing home after the program they have to reimburse you for your education. It might be worth giving up a weekend everyother month for.

I've been told that most people who bought the books for this class never took off the celaphane. (did I spell that wrong??)...

So hopefully that will be my case... however, knowing me.. I'll want to read it all anyway... just because it interests me...

I have a babysitter all lined up. It's my niece and I'm paying her 25.00 a day 4 days a week for 5 weeks. She will be taking care of all 3 kids from 7am-3pm so I don't think I could find it much cheaper... especially at a day care... I felt like I was being a bit cheap... but it's not like I'm working so she was fine with it.

I've looked into going to the Red Cross for the course which would be cheaper, but I'd really like to get the credit and hopefully an A to add to my GPA. So I'm just going to pay the money and get on with it.

I volunteer and teach Sunday school on the weekends... along with all the things I have to get done that are impossible to do with 3 kids and no help during the week... so working is out. I also like to see my poor husband on the weekends. That is the only time we get to see each other.

Thanks for the tips though... I'm registered for the course and I'm going to take it... now I just hope I pass.... :uhoh3:

queenjean · Apr 23, 2007

Just a thought;

many nursing homes offer the course, and in exchange you have to work so many hours for them. Even if you simply pay out of pocket for it, it is cheaper through the nursing home than a school.

In my area, the course is offered through community colleges (more expensive) and through nursing homes (much, much less expensive).

luvmy3kids · Apr 23, 2007

Thanks queenjean... I've thought of that but I've decided just to earn the credits through school and pay the amount. I just can't take on a new job right now with my circumstances so this is the way it has to go. The funny thing is... my husband has never once mentioned anything about the cost and he's the one paying for it... I'm the one worrying about it... oh well

DesertRain · Apr 28, 2007

I was on the same boat as you prior to taking my CNA course. I knew I was never going to work as a CNA but it was going to help me get into my ADN program at school. I know you said you are going to take it anyway so it doesn't matter anymore. For me, I have 2 kids and money is tight enough as it is with me not working and going to school finishing up my prereqs for the RN program. The NA course cost me over $1500 dollars including my uniform, books, tuition, BoN license application, fingerprinting, immunizations...(sigh) At first I was really upset about it all, and wondered if there was a way I could get out of it. I never even wanted to be a CNA. I wasn't even the least bit interested in what they do. The first few clinical sessions I was so upset with myself for hating coming in to class because of how miserable the setting seemed to be to me in LTC. I am done now. All I have left is my board examination. Honestly, I have never been so proud of myself of completing something. I have learned so much, more than what the CNA textbook can ever teach you. I have gained so much respect for what a CNA does and I think that not only will the physical skills be transferable and give me a head start in nursing school, but the emotional and mental skills have given me a head start in learning about life. At my school, you don't need the CNA program, it just gives you a better chance of getting in. However, they say that those who have taken the course do comparably well to those who do not. I even have classmates (in the same situation) who were making more money doing something aside from healthcare field related work and are wanting to work as CNA's because they enjoy it so much. It isn't for everyone, but I am willing to bet that you will be quite surprised at how much you will value the course once it is done. I wish you the best of luck and try to look at it as a positive thing, and not something that is more of a barrier. If anything it will clear the barriers from your road to becoming a nurse.

luvmy3kids · Apr 29, 2007

Thank you for your reply. I don't see it as a barrier... like I said... I'm looking forward to it.. it was just the cost of the class that had me thinking otherwise.

I volunteer at our hospital and I have seen all the things a CNA does! Believe me! I have A LOT of respect for them! They really keep the floor rolling (IMO)...

I'm excited to take the class. It will be tricky trying to handle the sitter... 3 kids.. all their sports and a husband who is hardly ever home. But I am looking forward to it!

I'm glad you learned so much from your program! I hope mine does the same for me!

Take care

Jennifer

vonsay · May 3, 2007

I am in a LPN program and after taking the fundamental courses (3 months) you can sit for the CNA test. I'm from Indiana

S723B · May 4, 2007

My school did not require the CNA to apply to the program. Most of the girls in my class already have the CNA except for me. I did excellent in the class. I've never had a problem in the clinical setting or with skill check offs. All of the skills will come to you. I'd say do what's best for you.