Well, I'm being really dumb about this..

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So, I have a bit of a dilemma. I took a CNA course about 6 months ago. I did really well, and passed all my tests with flying colors. I was even praised for my performance in clinicals. However, I STILL haven't taken the state test. :uhoh3: I was told that I had two years to take the test after finishing the class, and I totally took advantage of that, but I am beginning to regret that.

See, I have a deep fear of performance anxiety. I literally start shaking and turn bright red when I'm performing in front of a group. I'm terrified that this is going to cause me to fail during the skills portion of the test. I recently talked to my MD about it, who actually said she had the same problem in Med School. She is putting me on a medication that I will only take in situations like this that should help calm me down...

BUT...since its been over 6 months I'm going to have to study my behind off. I plan on re-practicing all skills and using some videos to refresh my memory that I have found on Youtube. I feel horrible that I let this stop me from pursuing my dream to help people. Has anyone waited a period of time after the CNA class to actually take the State test?

Any encouragement or thoughts would be appreciated. Thank You for reading. :):)

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Specializes in CNA.

My doctor gave me Propranolol. I took it when I got there and 30 minutes before my skills test. It really worked!

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Specializes in IMCU.

Nursing Assistant - Video Lessons

Have a look at these videos rather than some random ones on YouTube. Just make sure you have your own State's procedure/skill descriptions in front of you. There were only about 10 skills they could have tested us on. They chose 3 from the list.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

A coworker of mine still has not taken her test and its been about 6 months too. I was extremely nervous too, I know how it feels. But I did really well on the skills test & passed on the first time. I hope all goes well for you, keep us posted!

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Specializes in Sec/Tech.

I was very nervous and humor definitely helped (I inadvertently had both my tester and patient rolling during the first third of my exam). Another thing to help you focus and to catch yourself if you forgot something BEFORE you make the mistake is to talk about what you are going to do. "Hi so-and-so I'm going to give you a bath today and then change you into a clean gown. (OOPS! Forgot the gown, run and get it and make sure you didn't forgot something else crazy like the soap. Come back and keep talking. You wouldn't be penalized for it because you had not started washing the patient.) I'm going to wash your face, arm, hand, etc. Before doing that would you test the water..." Good luck!

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.
I was very nervous and humor definitely helped (I inadvertently had both my tester and patient rolling during the first third of my exam). Another thing to help you focus and to catch yourself if you forgot something BEFORE you make the mistake is to talk about what you are going to do. "Hi so-and-so I'm going to give you a bath today and then change you into a clean gown. (OOPS! Forgot the gown, run and get it and make sure you didn't forgot something else crazy like the soap. Come back and keep talking. You wouldn't be penalized for it because you had not started washing the patient.) I'm going to wash your face, arm, hand, etc. Before doing that would you test the water..." Good luck!

Great advice! I too(along with the rest of my classmates) talked through the skills portion. It help keep me calm. Another thing I noticed, the proctor really wasn't looking at us when we performed the skills. I guess it was because I was verbally saying each & every step lol!

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well, i havent't waited that long i actually just completed a 16 week cna course (sunday only) last month and I've havent made a appointment to take the state boards myself. don't know what i'm waiting for:doh:but i get nervous spells as well, but yeah videos and practice should help, see if you can return to the training site and get hands on practice still or purchase a video form them, think about life after the exam:rolleyes: hopefully i'll get a state board exam date sometime during the summer.

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There are people who complete programs and never take their exams, so chalk the six months up to getting yourself mentally ready to deal with your situation and don't beat yourself up any more over it. Now that you have seen your doctor, you can proceed. Good luck!

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I was really nervous too. I think all of us were really nervous. I was freaking out before I took mine. I calmed down a lot when I walked into the room; everything just came naturally because I had done it so many times during clinicals. I would just get a date scheduled and start reviewing. You will do fine. Good luck! :)

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