On the last day of my nursing assistant course, we filled out the application for the state certification exam. I planned to get it in the mail as soon as possible to ensure that I didn't forget any of the skills before the test. However, due to babysitting the two days immediately after completing the course, finding money for the fees, and life happening, I didn't end up sending my application in until the Friday of the following week. I waited to hear about when my test date was, and after about a week I got a phone call saying that my test was Wednesday, July 13 in Altoona, Wisconsin at 8:00am.
Prior to finishing the nursing assistant course, I had been offered a job at in home health care. Wanting to have a job and get experience, I jumped at the opportunity, even before having taken the state certification exam. I had only worked 16 hours, so I didn't pick up any bad habits (luckily).
Then the day of the exam came, I had to wake up early and make the hour drive to Altoona, all by myself. The end of the drive was nerve-wracking as I hate driving in big cities, and driving in Altoona is practically like driving in Eau Claire. I arrived at the testing site about 15 minutes early, which gave me time for my nerves to settle. First we took the written test, which wasn't too bad. Most of the written test is common knowledge, and I passed with no problems. I had about an hour break between my written and skills test, so I talked with the others there taking the test and learned a little about them. Quite a few of the people taking the test were there to re-take the skills portion which made me a little nervous. I was partnered with a middle-aged woman who was a mother and a CPR instructor through the Red Cross. She was fun to talk to, and getting to know her for a little bit helped to settle my nerves before taking the test. I decided to test first, and she was my "patient." To test out on the skills portion, you perform FIVE different tasks within a thirty minute time period. Every person tests out on hand washing, one measuring skill, and three other skills. My measurement skill was counting and recording respirations, and my three other skills were performing a modified partial bed bath, assist with use of bedpan, and transfer from bed to wheelchair using a gait belt. I pretty much got the triple whammy, the three most time consuming tasks, almost dooming me to fail due to time constraints. Just as I started my final skill, my instructor announced that I had five minutes left. I stayed calm because I knew I could get a transfer from bed to wheelchair done within five minutes, and I think that may have been my saving grace. I successfully completed all five of my skills within the given thirty minutes. I had to wait around for a little over half an hour to hear the results of my skills test, and all that time I sat thinking over all that I did and the mistakes that I had made. I was thinking that I had passed, but I wasn't for sure. Finally, I was given my results: "PASS." I was relieved. I wouldn't have to re-take any portion of the test and I would be able to get a job as a CERTIFIED nursing assistant and not have to worry about getting certified later.
To those of you thinking about becoming a nursing assistant and becoming certified, do it! If you're unsure if the health care field is for you, think about becoming a PCA (personal care assistant) first. Losing yourself in the service of others is one of the greatest rewards.
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