Taking The CNA Skills Test

The CNA skills test is the second portion of your certification exam. You need to pass this part of the test (as well as the first) in order to become a certified nursing assistant.  During your CNA training course you will have a great deal of skills training.  You will also have some hands on training during your clinical practicum.

Depending on the area where you are completing a CNA, certification test, the skills tests can vary a little.  For example, some tests will make you demonstrate only about 3 different nursing assistant skills, while others will make you demonstrate as many as six.  Some of the skills that you might be asked to demonstrate can vary too depending on the state in which you will be working as a nursing assistant.  There might be some duties in one state that do not fall under the duties of a nursing assistant in another.

Some CNA skills test will allow you to select the duties that you want to demonstrate for the person administering the test.  Other tests will not give you a choice.  You will be asked to complete random tasks as instructed by the testing individual.

There will be someone who will serve as the patient.  This allows you to show your skills before you enter into an actual live setting with patients.   You can be asked to complete simple skills or those that are more complex.  It is likely that you will have to show a combination of the two throughout your test.

You can be asked to demonstrate just about any skill that you will use as a certified nursing assistant.  You might be asked to demonstrate how you would feed a patient who is unable to eat on their own.  The instructor might ask you to show how you would take a patient’s vital signs for the beginning of your shift.  Your test administrator might ask you to show the proper way to reposition a patient in order to prevent bedsores. These are just a few of the skills you might be asked to model during your skills test for CNA certification.

Remember all aspects of a test when tasking.  For example, you must wash your hands before contact with each patient.  Regardless of what your skill is that you will be demonstrating you should show that you remember to wash your hands.  You cannot enter into a patient’s room (even if it is not actually a patient but merely the person helping you model your skills) without knocking on their door.

When you are preparing to take the CNA skills test, you should study all the material you covered during your training course.  If you have access to CNA training Classes demonstration videos, you should watch those and practice along before it is time to take your test.  Practice the skills that you will need to demonstrate with friends or family members to prepare you for testing under the pressure of being watched and graded.  Do not despair if you do not pass on your first attempt.  Just give it another go when you are able.