The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) test is the most important test for someone who has completed their nursing degree and now wishes to qualify for a job. The test allows the candidate to prove they are eligible to care for the patients, which is why it is crucial for the beginning of their professional career.
Most employers now require a CNA certificate as a mandatory condition for the job that cannot be compromised. Even if the certification isn’t listed as a requirement for the job, most employers prefer hiring a candidate who has passed a CNA test rather than someone who hasn’t.
The CNA test covers many areas of the nursing profession, including clinical proficiency and conceptual knowledge. So, to be certified, you must pass both sections, and only then will you succeed.
Each state in the USA has its rules and regulations regarding the CNA test. So, if your test is due in a couple of months or a few weeks and you would like to pass it in one go, we have a few secrets to share.
What Does a CNA Do?
Due to the growth in the elderly population, there has been a massive surge in CNA jobs in the last decade. More and more people qualify for this job every day by taking the test.
Becoming a certified nurse takes a lot of passion, dedication, and compassion. It’s an excellent career choice for a healthcare professional, and the candidate who thrives on information will surely succeed. Nursing assistants offer help in various domains, including home settings, hospitals, and other medical facilities.
So, once you pass the CNA test, you will find various career opportunities you can avail yourself of.
10 Tips to Prepare for the CNA Test
So, with the looming CNA exam, it would be understandable if your anxiety is on the rise. The CNA test can be a bit complicated since the board will test your knowledge to the best of your ability.
Many people wish to pass it in the first go, and they can, only if they know how to prepare for the exam smartly. We are listing a few tips below that will help you out.
Take CNA Practice Test
You can start by taking the nursing assistant practice test to realize what sections you excel in and which sections are your weak points.
A CNA practice exam is a sure-shot way to understand what the certified nursing test will be like. What will be the time duration, and what kind of questions will you have to attempt? Plus, when you take an exam in the same setting as the actual exam, you will better understand how to attempt the CNA test.
Take the free CNA practice test as often as you want unless you have perfected it to its core.
Never Wait Until the Last Minute
When you sign up for a professional nursing course, your priority is to pass the exam and get certified. So, for that very purpose, you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to start studying.
One of the biggest mistakes most students make is procrastination. Waiting until the exam looms over your head is a recipe for disaster. So, the minute you take your first class should be the moment you start preparing for the final exam.
The sooner you start studying for the exam, the better your results will be. So never wait until the last moment and keep attempting CNA practice tests to familiarize yourself with the format.
Use Helping Material
When you’re preparing for a CNA exam, you will find plenty of helpful material online and offline. We know people usually don’t visit libraries anymore. Still, if you have one in your vicinity or college, perhaps this is the right time to go and find some relevant nursing books and study them briefly.
You can also purchase key books from Amazon. These books contain all the past papers with relevant answers you can study. And while you’re at it, get a CNA practice test with answers. Study it thoroughly and grasp as much information as you can.
Also, do your research on the internet as well. You will find various published papers by healthcare professionals that will help you.
Do Some Research
One of the best things you can do for yourself before taking the CNA test is to understand the whole concept of the test. Researching online will find precise information about certified nursing tests and what these exams will test your knowledge for.
Some of these questions are designed to test your technical knowledge, while some will test your empathy and intuition.
So, you must score well on all these criteria. Study more about technical knowledge and see what technical questions have appeared in the exams. You should also figure out the questions of the course and learn more about testing your intuition. In short, you must excel inside and outside of the book in every way.
Create a Study Plan
After you have gathered all the tools and essential study material, it is time to devise a study plan that will fulfill all your needs and requirements.
You can segregate the material you have to go through in different formats. First, assess the material you have already been through and revise it well. Don’t take a lot of time for this so later you can focus on the material you have to study harder.
Spend as much time as you need to understand points that you don’t. This way, you won’t have to worry about covering all the coursework at once, and you will gradually pick up your pace.
Find a Study Partner
Studying alone can be hard sometimes. You will eventually need help with the concepts and practical work you don’t understand, so it would be wise to team up with a friend and study together.
Talk to each other about your learning processes and explain in detail to retain the information. You can also opt for the group study method. It is a great way to retain information and clear your ambiguous concepts.
This method is also excellent since it allows you to gather information from more than one source during an in-person discussion which is an impeccable way to learn.
Practice Clinical Skills
One part of your CNA exam will be clinical. So, you must take a practice test for this purpose as well.
You can ask your neighbor, a friend, or a spouse to act as a patient. Consider it a mock clinical test where you will tell your patient the procedure you’re about to perform and what it is for.
This is another excellent way to retain information, and you can even practice your clinical skills.
Reach Out to Professional CNAs
Another thing that can help you pass your CNA exam efficiently is having inside information. If you don’t know what the test will pose, then how can you possibly hope to ace it?
The best way to do this is by talking to professional CNAs. Get their help because they have already been in the position where you’re today. Ask them about their experience with the CNA exam and what they would suggest you pass it with flying colors.
Talking to someone with experience in your field is an excellent way to get the information you cannot find on the internet. A professional CNA’s experience is valuable, so ensure to use it.
Practice as Much as You Can
The most important part of a CNA exam is the clinical procedure. Practice as much as you can before you take the exam. Consider all the important skills you might be asked to perform during the exam and perform them as often as you need.
Practice things like moving a patient with paralysis, recording vital signs, and checking blood pressure and sugar. Your textbooks will provide you with all the knowledge to perform these small steps, but you must do it practically to get the hang of it.
Remind Yourself Why You’re Doing This
You may lose focus during your journey or even lose interest in pursuing further. But you must keep reminding yourself why you’re doing this.
It takes great compassion and dedication to become a certified nursing assistant. The fact that you enrolled for this degree means that you want it by heart. So, keep reminding yourself why you’re here, and that should keep your focus.
Final Thoughts
A CNA test is the most crucial step for your career. The only way to pass this exam is by keeping your head down and focusing on the tasks at hand.
Don’t waste a minute and start preparing for the board exam the moment you pursue your classes. Take as much time as you need, develop a study plan and focus on it with all your mind and soul. Get help where needed and always be part of group study to retain the information.
It takes a lot of time and preparation to score well on the CNA exam, so make sure you give it that. Also, practice your clinical skills whenever you find an opportunity. Keep your nails trimmed and free of nail polish even at home so whenever you’re needed for a minor clinical procedure such as checking blood pressure or moving someone elderly, you can offer your assistance at once.
If you start practicing earlier, it will greatly benefit you on exam day.
