You made it through Nursing Assistant classes and you may have landed a job as a nursing assistant at a health facility. Next up – the State exam to receive your certification. While taking tests may not be your strong suit, the nursing assistant exam is easier if you know what to expect.
First, be aware that the test consists of two parts – a written exam and a clinical exam. The written part of the test is based upon common sense. For the clinical exam, you may be asked to bring a person with you to act as a ‘patient’ so you can demonstrate your clinical skills.
The written part of the test is based upon much of the information you learned during training. Therefore, your class handouts or books will provide all the information you might need for your State exam. Review that paperwork, your notes and any portions of the book that presented the most problems for you in class. This type of review may prove less stressful for many people. There are also several practice tests available online.
While some individuals may sweat over the written exam, many others may become nervous about the clinical part of the exam – someone will be looking over your shoulder the entire time, watching your every move. But, you can keep in mind that the State examiner has seen many nervous students before. If you know your clinical skills, you’ll fly right through this portion of the test.
You will probably be asked to demonstrate three to five Nursing Assistant skills such as hand washing, privacy policies, a nod toward dignity (such as remembering to knock before entering a patient’s room) and safety standards.