Are you passionate about becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in the U.S.? Are you planning to take the CNA exam? Are you looking for some effective strategies to study for the CNA exam? If so, you have arrived at the right place.
This article will help you learn more about how to prepare for the CNA exam, and we will also discuss some effective strategies on how to study for the CNA exam.
Preparing for CNA Exam
Before we discuss the strategies to best study for the CNA exam, let’s discuss the CNA exam and about how to prepare for it. Let’s begin by learning about the structure of the CNA exam.
The CNA exam consists of two sections, namely:
- The clinical or practical examination.
- The written examination.
THE CLINICAL OR PRACTICAL EXAMINATION
The clinical, or practical, examination CNA examination is all about performing certain nursing duties before an evaluator, who will most likely be a registered nurse. This is the most important and interesting part of the CNA exam.
It is essential to prepare for the CNA practical or clinical examination to be able to pass the exam. Here are some of the most commonly asked clinical questions in the clinical skills CNA exam.
- Hand hygiene.
- Cleaning dentures.
- Feeding the patient.
- Foot care for the patient.
- Helping patients with severe limb injuries to get dressed.
- Maintaining the oral hygiene of patients.
- Recording a patient’s pulse.
- Helping patients move around.
- Helping patients with bed baths.
- Assisting patients with bedpans.
- Checking patient’s blood pressure and other vitals.
- Application of knee-high elastic stocking for patients.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate the clinical skills either using a mannequin or with your fellow candidates. All the candidates must pass this clinical skills test by scoring at least 70% as this may impact your overall performance in the CNA exam.
THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION
The written CNA examination consists of 60 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The duration of the written exam is about 90 minutes. The questions asked in the written CNA exam are based on the CNA training material and the actual job role itself.
Unlike the clinical skills exam, the written CNA exam consists of many study guides you can rely on. You learn the actual exam process as you practice with the practice tests.
All the candidates must pass both the written and clinical skills CNA exam to be able to receive their CNA license and practice as a Certified Nursing Assistant in a state in the U.S.
Now that you are well aware of the CNA exam and the structure of the exam, let’s discuss some effective strategies to study for the CNA exam.
Effective Strategies to Study for the CNA Exam
If you have been planning to take the CNA exam, but have been looking for some effective strategies to help you study for the CNA exam, this is for you. As an aspiring Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), it is essential to know some effective strategies that can help you successfully pass the CNA exam and procure your CNA license in the state of U.S.
Here are some effective strategies to help you study for the CNA exam:
- Learn the CNA exam format.
- Have a fixed study time.
- Invest in a CNA study guide.
- Try CNA online practice tests.
- Invest in CNA books and training materials.
- Find a study partner.
Let’s discuss these strategies in detail.
LEARN CNA EXAM FORMAT
As a candidate who is going to appear for the CNA exam, it is important that you be aware of the CNA exam format. Knowing the format of the CNA exam helps you to efficiently prepare for the exam.
You should have a rough idea of what the CNA written and clinical skills exams will be all about. This can help you know where you are lacking and which part you should concentrate more on when preparing for the CNA exam.
HAVE A FIXED STUDY TIME
Always make sure you have a fixed study time. Make sure you prepare daily for the exam for a fixed amount of time. When you make sure to constantly prepare for the CNA exam for a certain period of time every single day, you will be able to cover lots of topics.
It is also very important that you prepare a study plan or a schedule based on the topics that need more concentration. Begin with covering the hard topics and save the easy and familiar topics for later. Study plans can help you navigate through the exam preparation process in a very effective way.
INVEST IN A CNA STUDY GUIDE
It is never a bad idea to invest in a good CNA study guide. Study guides can help you understand, learn, and cover the syllabus in a more effective manner. It can also help you master the subject.
Study guides not only help you remember information for a longer period of time, but they can also make the learning process very easy. You will have to spend very little time preparing for the exam using study guides.
TRY CNA ONLINE PRACTICE TESTS
It is always good practice to try every CNA practice test available, both online and offline. Practice tests give you the opportunity to solve more complex questions with continuous and constant practice.
Practice tests also help you gain a better understanding of the CNA exam format itself. You also get to solve and answer the most repeated questions in the exam when you practice using practice tests.
INVEST IN CNA BOOKS AND TRAINING MATERIALS
As a student preparing for the CNA exam, it is essential that you invest in good CNA books and training materials. These CNA books and training materials should help you gain more knowledge about the subject , as well as help you answer the questions in a more effective manner. Some books may also contain questions with an answer key, which should make the learning process much easier.
FIND A STUDY PARTNER
Last but not least, it is always a good idea to find and study with a study partner. Preparing for the CNA exam with a study partner can benefit both of you in many ways. Studying with a study partner can help both of you stay motivated to efficiently prepare for the CNA exam.
Wrapping Up
If you have been looking for some effective strategies to help you successfully study for and pass the CNA exam, this article should have helped you learn more effective strategies. It is essential that you make use of these strategies to help you pass the CNA exam successfully and procure your CNA license.
If you are passionate about becoming a CNA and have been looking for some practice tests to help you effectively prepare for the CNA exam, make sure to try out our free CNA practice test.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are three qualities you feel are important for a CNA?
The 3 qualities that are important for CNA are as follows:
- Patience.
- Attention to detail.
- Empathy.
What are the most common skills on the CNA exam?
Some of the most commonly asked skills in a CNA exam are as follows:
- Check blood pressure and other vitals of patients.
- Hand hygiene.
- Record the patient’s pulse.
- Feed the patient.
- Wound care.
How can a CNA stand out?
Some of the ways you can stand out as a CNA are as follows:
- Be compassionate.
- Have good knowledge of medical terminologies.
- Be flexible.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Be patient with handling patients.
