CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) exam is something that one had to clear at the very beginning of their medical career. If you cannot clear the Certified Nursing Assistant exam, so then you will miss the excellent opportunity to become a CNA in The United States of America. There are some notable points to keep in mind before registering and preparing for the CNA exams.
Here, we will tell you about some basic details which one need to know regarding the CNA exam.
It is imperative: Well yes, if one needs to work as a certified nursing assistant, you should get the CNA exam. No matter what all courses you have taken, because if one wants to get a CNA degree officially, you need to pass the test. Until you don’t clear your exam, you won’t be eligible for the nurse aide registries.
You can work without giving or clearing the test- but temporarily: If you want to submit an application for employment, then you can do it before you clear the CNA exam. However, that doesn’t mean that you got a permanent job, because if you don’t pass the exam your serving period will be terminated. The rules regarding this option depend on where you live and what provisions does your state provide.
The parts of exam: The Certified Nursing Exam is conducted in two parts: one is the Written (or Oral) section and another is the Clinical Skills section.
In the Written (or Oral) section, you will have to attempt almost 60-70 multiple-choice questions. You will get approximate two hours to complete this part of CNA exam, the timing, and the number of questions might differ from state to state, in which you live.
In the Clinical Skills (or Hands-on Skills) portion, you will need to show your physical skills and things like proper communication with patients. The exam will be conducted in a Certified Nursing Assistant’s work environment, such as in an infirmary or may be at a nursing home. You have to conduct the test on a ‘subject’, which you have to bring along with you during the exam. There will be five tasks to accomplish in this section, which you will conduct in front of an examiner.
It is not only about basic things: Something that you got to keep in mind throughout the CNA assessment is that the details matter! You will be asked to do basic things- like moving a patient from a bed to a wheelchair and vice-versa or to measure blood pressure. Besides these, you will have to focus the least possible details to convince your examiner and show them that you are smart enough to face the real world. For example, you need to wear non-skid shoes; if you forget then you will lose points. You need to show the etiquettes like knocking the door of the patient’s room or putting on the privacy curtains before doing anything.
Proper communication: In the Clinical Skills (or Hands-on skill) section of the exam you will be judged on two things:
- The way you treat your patients
- And, how well do you think you know your patients
The examiner will assess your skills based on communication. If you do not communicate properly with your patients, then it is of no good. A friendly rapport is essential while nursing patients. You should understand them, communicate with them, and make them feel secure in your company.
Points for safety: One key aspect of this exam is to communicate and another striking fact is to take proper care for the wellbeing of your patient. You need to remember all the safety details required for the CNA exam. For example, to make sure that the bedside rails are up before you leave the room or you should remember to keep the brakes on; of the wheelchair before you make the patient sit on it.
“Practice makes a man perfect”: If you have enrolled in a good certification program, then the school will do their best to get you ready for the CNA exam, but you have to give efforts to pass the exam. Give ample of time to get ready for the assessment and try to take more and more practice tests for the written portion. For the hands-on skill portion, take online guidance; watch videos on YouTube, as it will be an outstanding source for learning the skills perfectly.
Stay focused about the rules in your province or state: Various places have different standards and regulations set for the exam, so before practising any online test make sure that those skills are practised in your state. If you practice unethical methods at the wrong place, you will end up losing points.