What is the CNA Skills Test

To become a CNA, it's important that you pass the CNA skills test which is part of the CNA examination. During the CNA skills test, you will be mainly tested on your abilities to handle the patients. Right from helping the patients do their day-to-day tasks to helping them taking their medicines on time, your duty as CNA will be judged. Whether you have to comb the patient’s hair or feed them or change the linen, your skills will be tested during this exam.

You also need to be able to identify and understand the patients' needs and help them accordingly. You may need to move the patient in and out of bed or the shower. Your ability to shift the patients without causing them any harm will be tested. You also need to maintain hygiene and follow proper safety standards. You need to take care of the patients' nutrition needs and prepare food for them.

You need to have a strong passion and devotion to help the patients who need care. Your duty as a CNA is not limited to performing the daily chores but also providing mental and psychological support to the patients to help them recover fast. The CNA skills test will judge you on all these aspects.

You also have to make sure that the patients are kept clean and their room is neat and tidy. You have to avoid the spreading of any sort of infection. From changing the patients' bedding to changing their clothes as well as helping them take a bath; there are many duties that a CNA needs to take care of on a daily basis. Hence, if you wish to become a CNA, you need to equip yourself with all the necessary skills.

The CNA skills test will judge you on several parameters but the main test will revolve around your ability to serve the patients properly. Whether you are working in hospitals or clinics, adult or baby health care centers, you need to take proper care of the patients and this is what will be tested in the CNA skills test.

The CNA skills test may take place in the actual setting of a hospital, clinic, nursing home or a room which is exactly like one of the rooms in these facilities. During the skills test, you will be asked to perform any 5 procedures that are part of your duties as a CNA. The trap here is that you never know which procedures they will ask you to perform. Hence, you need to be thoroughly prepared to perform all the tasks properly.

You may be asked to do some basic tasks such as combing hair or feeding the patient, to more complicated tasks such as handling medical equipments and measuring as well as recording the patients' vitals such as blood pressure, sugar levels and body temperature. You may also be asked to make an occupied or unoccupied bed or just help the patient with a bed pan or simply shift the patient. While doing all these tasks, you need to be very alert and make sure that you are not causing any harm to the patient.

How to Clear the Skills Test in a CNA Examination

The job as a CNA is a good career move as it is a rewarding career. As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job opportunities for CNAs are immense and they are expected to rise by around 30 to 35 percent over the next couple of years. A reason for this rise in employment opportunity is the fact that there is a rapid increase in the number of senior citizens and their life expectancy is also rising.

In order to qualify as a certified nursing assistant, you need to be above 18 years of age. You will undergo a drug test as well as a criminal records check. You also have to go through the CNA training to become a CNA. Once the training is over, you will have to appear for an examination which is divided into a written test as well as clinical skills exams. The written test tests your general knowledge and is a multiple-choice exam; while the clinical skills test evaluates you on your on-the-job practical skill sets.

Here are a few tips to help you clear the CNA skills test:

• Be alert and attentive while listening to the instructions given to you during the exam. You will be asked to perform a set of different procedures to test your skills and the state examiner will evaluate you on your performance.
• As a CNA, you need to take care of your hygiene. Hence wash your hands properly. Your hand-washing technique will also be looked upon as an important parameter to evaluate you. Make sure you clean your fingers, nails, wrists properly. Then towel dry your hands, perform the required tasks and remember to wash your hands again once you have finished the task. Cleanliness is important in order to avoid spreading any type of infections.
• Your basic mannerisms and ethics will also count in the evaluation process. Remember to give the patient a brief introduction about yourself and address the patients with their correct names. Remember to draw the curtains properly and give the patients the required privacy during the procedures. You have to be very careful while handling, moving or shifting the patients; so make sure you do it with utmost care and precaution.
• Practice makes one perfect. So, it's important that you prepare yourself thoroughly by practicing the most common skills required such as helping the patients perform their daily tasks like brushing teeth, bathing, feeding; making an occupied or unoccupied bed; changing linen; measuring and recording the patients' vitals such as body temperature and blood pressure and so on.
• In addition to mastering all the knowledge and practical skills required to become a CNA, make sure that you do not fail to demonstrate your passion and devotion to help the patients who need care. All these tips will surely help you pass the CNA skills test.