American Red Cross

Took my CNA test Feb 1st 2019, passed written, failed the clinical skills test, yes my fault I made mistakes. Accused of wearing perfume at the beginning of clinical test, I confirmed I was, evaluator 'lectured' me on the RED CROSS site being a fragrance free site. I apologized profusely, per evaluator its on the email "you were sent", again I apologized admitting my mistake for not noticing such on the RED CROSS test confirmation email. Per the evaluator "I shouldn't even test you right now", I apologized again, then instructor says ' I will test you'. She completed the clinical skills test with me at that time Feb 1st 2019.

Retake clinical skills portion of CNA test on 3/5/19 with the same evaluator. Gave evaluator necessary paperwork she requested, sat down to complete a form and evaulator immediately states in very condescending tone along with unecessary finger pointing and facial expressions "eh, I smell perfume on you again today" and starred right at me, I couldn't believe my ears, I responded "no I am not wearing anything, I deliberately did not wear any today because of what happened last time", she..."what happened last time"... me..."you lectured me last time about the perfume, so thats why I made sure not to wear anything today". Her "I did not lecture you"... me..."yes you did"... from here she just continued to berate me about perfume etc... I attempted several times to inform her again that I was not wearing any perfume, and I asked her if she wanted me to leave? She appeared shocked and said "no thats not necessary but you will have to leave your coat and stuff outside". I responded "sure, no problem but I will have to complete that form when I come back in". She agreed where upon I went outside and removed my coat/scarf/sweater and left them next to my husband on chairs, and asked him if he could he smell perfume on me, which he reported "No, I can't smell any, why?"

I went back into the testing room, sat down to complete the form and started writing and again the evaluator stated "I can still smell perfume on you, you might not be wearing any but it might be on your coat". At this stage, I just looked up from writing on the form and said "I am not wearing any fragrance, I asked my husband and he said he couldn't smell any". She said "your husband said what?" I told her what my husband said and she stated "its not about him, its about me"! So, at this time I decided this evaluator is making this a personal issue, and I haven't even started my clinical skills test yet. I informed the evaluator "lets pick our battles right, and this isn't one, lets just let it go", whereupon she sat back and I completed the necessary form.

After her giving me my clinical test instructions she asked me if I had any questions and I reported yes which she was not happy about per her facial expressions (and me not asking questions initially when I took the clinical skills test Feb 1st 2019 was a contributing factor in me failing that time, again that was my fault) which is why this time second time round I made sure to fully understand the given clinical scenario I was being tested on today 3/5/19).

Midway through my handwashing skills portion, I was talking my way through whilst performing such, I looked at her and said "and I make sure to wash two inches above the wrist" she smirked at me almost scoffing at me, I continued to complete the skill, drying my hands, turned around and she was gone!?

Second skill, provide nail care to the patient on one hand. Midway through (again speaking my way through the required skill) I corrected myself on one aspect (you are permitted to correct yourself on any skill if you think you may have forgotten something etc), I informed her before filing the patients nails I would clip them, then file across. (etc). Evaluator stated with another smirk, "no you don't have to clip them pointing over to my assignment card". I checked the card again and it was stated on the card, clip patients nails! At this point during my clinical skills test I am thinking that it seems possible the evaluator is trying to confuse me.

Third and final skill, change blouse/shirt on patient with left sided weakness (this skill I royally botched on my first clinical skills test Feb 1st 2019) specifically because I did not ask the evaluator questions pre test commencing to understand the scenario and the clothing provided for this test might fit a small Asian person, and my husband (my test patient) is 6ft with broad shoulders! The optional gown/Johnny provided on my initial skills test was like a roadmap, I would have needed a GPS to attempt getting all them snaps aligned and this presented a big problem during my first test. So, I informed the evaluator the two shirts provided are too small for him, would you like me to remove his sweatshirt during the test (keeping in mind my patient is to have left sided weakness), she reports "no, you can use the gown". I asked her if I may look at the gown to just make sure the snaps are together as it presented a big issue during the last test". She responded"No, just put one of the shirts on over his sweatshirt"! I made my decision there and then that I would remove his sweatshirt (he has a T-shirt on underneath) and attempt to put on one of these small shirts as part of the test, having already informed her these shirts were too small and how am I to get them to fit over his sweatshirt?

When it came to this portion of the clinical skills test, I started to remove my patients sweatshirt (husbands sweatshirt (keeping in mind he has left sided weakness per evaluator test instructions), the evaluator stops me and says"you can use the gown, lets just make sure the snaps are correct"! I was speechless, is this not what I asked you at the very beginning before we even started the clinical test when you asked me do I have any questions. I completed this portion of the test as required but couldn't help thinking this evaluator is attempting to confuse me today, with relation to the 'nail care skill/the dressing of a left sided weakness patient'.

As, I completed my flow sheet skill at the end of the clinical skills test I reread the instructions again and yes it clearly states"clip patients nails (providing nail care to the patient)!

All in all, in my opinion this evaluator was very unprofessional today and she should attempt to remain objective when assuming this role as CNA evaluator even if you dislike the test applicant for whatever reason. (I am a 50y/o woman with a healthcare degree).