Graduating from an accredited CNA program does honors you with the Certification in Nursing Assistant. However, this graduate certificate does not mean that you have earned the liberty to get employed as a Certified Clinical Nursing Assistant (CCNA) or, rather say, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). In fact, for officially starting your nursing career as a CNA, you will first have to be licensed by the state in which you seek to practice your CNA profession. And, to get licensed, you will be required to pass the state CNA certification test.

What is the CNA Certification Test?

For your information, the state CNA certification exam, which is formally known as National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP), is designed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing for evaluating the nursing skills and knowledge of the nursing assistants and to determine whether they are competent enough to wear the title of a CNA.

Hence, after the graduation from any CNA schools or online CNA training programs, each and every CNA-wannabe would ultimately have to face this state certification exam so as to be licensed from the state in which they wish to get employed.

And, needless to say, if you pass this licensing exam taken after completing all the CNA education requirements, then the state will honor you by adding your name in the Nurse Aide Registry, and this addition officially acknowledges that you have earned the revered title of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

What does the CNA Certification Test consist of?

Naturally, you will be curious about what lies ahead in the state licensing exam. If so, then let me inform you that the CNA certification exam encompasses of 2 major tests. On one hand, there is the oral or written test whereas, on the other hand, there is the hands-on or nursing skill exam.

About the Written test

It is clear that the oral or written test is designed for evaluating the theoretical knowledge of the CNA-wannabe. But, surely, you will be wondering what types of questions would be asked and what nursing courses you ought to study thoroughly.

Recommended CNA Schools!

National College

The fundamental purpose of National College is to educate men and women for the duties and responsibilities of business life and to help place them in positions where there is opportunity for advancement.

Programs:

• AS - Medical Assisting
• Diploma - Medical Office Specialist
• Diploma - Medical Office Assistant

Locations: Harrisonburg

Medical Career Institute

Experience the Rewards of Caring, With ECPI’s Medical Careers Institute, you can Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in 2.5 Years or Your Associate’s Even Sooner through Our Year-Round Schedule!

Programs:

• Medical Assisting - Associate
• Practical Nursing - Diploma
• Dental Assisting - Associate

Locations: Manassas

Skyline College

Skyline College in Roanoke, VA understands the challenges faced by people wanting to compete in today's high paced world and offers a direct, concentrated path to your career goals.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Practical Nursing

Locations: Roanoke

Living Arts College

Begin to defy the odds by gaining the added skills employers are demanding today. Since 1972, Living Arts College has been dedicated to educating students in digital arts and design. Learn more and gain a new role for yourself at the Living Arts College @ School of Communication Arts.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant

Locations: Raleigh

Everest College

Develop the skills to succeed in today's highly competitive business environment. Everest College can prepare you for a rewarding career in some of today's hottest fields.

Programs:

• Diploma - Medical Assistant
• Diploma - Medical Administrative Assistant

Locations: Newport News

So, to satisfy your curiosity, the written test has the beautiful feature of multiple-choice questions and you will have to face about 70 questions in average. These questions are generally related to the subject matters like infection control, hygiene, therapeutic procedures and nutrition.

Also, you should be prepared for the questions that test your knowledge of patient rights, patient communication skills and ethical behavior. Aside from these, expect to answer the questions regarding your psychological nursing care skills, which lights the issue about how you would perform to help meet the mental, cultural, spiritual and emotional needs of the patient.

About the Oral test

Since the written test will be in the English language format, some candidates might have difficulty in attempting them. So, as an alternative, candidates can choose the oral test i.e. either in English version or in Spanish version.

About the Clinical skill evaluation test:

Well, you might say the clinical skill evaluation test is the real test for getting licensed. In this test, you will be expected to demonstrate your capability of becoming a prominent CNA by performing about 5 hands-on nursing skills, randomly selected from among the list of 25 nursing skills.

On the basis of your clinical performance in this test, the evaluator will grade you accordingly and determine whether you are really worthy of wearing the title of a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

Generally, the clinical portion of the CNA certification test will demand from you to show your hands-on skills on the following nursing procedures.

Common Nursing Procedures asked in the CNA Certification test!

• Taking & recording the blood pressure, ambulatory weight and urinary output of the patient
• Assisting the patient in fundamental activities like bathing, feeding and dressing
• Washing your hands before and after having patient contact
• Assisting the patient with using the bedpan
• Helping the patient to ambulate or transferring the patient from the bed to the wheelchair by the use of the transfer belt
• Providing the patients with the catheter care
• Providing basic hygiene care such as fingernail care or mouth care
• Assisting the patient in performing motion exercises for shoulder, knee and ankle