Test day is coming

Last week I finally got my letter about my state CNA test. My test date is 8 a.m. Sept. 17 in Janesville. It kinda stinks that I don't get to test closer to home, but I did put Janesville on my application as a site I would go to. I'd probably have to wait longer if I had only included Madison.

So I've got about a week and a half. I'll try to start studying this week. I'm so nervous though! This test will determine my future, sort of. I have to pass it in order to get a CNA job. And even if I failed I could take it again. But it will cheaper and a lot less complicated if I pass the first time. Even though I'm not going to pursue any jobs until probably January, it will be better for me to take and pass the test now before I really forget everything.

I'm not sure how I can really study for the skills portion of the test. I don't have the lab at MATC anymore, so I can't really practice the skills. I guess I'll just have to do a lot of visualization. I know the skills. I practiced most of them in clinical. But it will be different on the test. Depending on how flexible the tester is, I may have to follow the handbook to the letter. And I am so afraid I'll forget something silly like closing the privacy curtain or washing my hands. And forgetting one little thing like that will fail me. I will be tested on five out of a possible 23 skills, and I have to pass them all in order to pass the test.

At least I'm not worried about the written part of the test. That will be easy, though I do plan on refreshing my memory on that part too. This will be scary but exciting too. Just another part of my quest for the new normal. Wish me luck!