Delaware CNA study plan
Delaware CNA · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Basic Nursing Skills
Identify normal adult ranges for temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation, then demonstrate measuring each on a practice partner or training simulator
Demonstrate hand hygiene and the correct sequence for donning and doffing personal protective equipment
Explain the principles of medical asepsis and state when standard precautions apply during resident care
Measure and record fluid intake and output accurately using a practice fluid log
Your checkpoint
Submit a vital-signs practice log containing 10 complete recorded sets (temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, oxygen saturation) plus a 20-item infection-control self-quiz scored at 80% or higher.
Basic Nursing Skills & Safety and Emergency Response
Perform a head-to-toe observation and document findings in objective, non-diagnostic language
Identify at least 10 environmental hazards in a simulated resident room and state the correction for each
Explain common fall-risk factors and demonstrate three fall-prevention measures during a simulated transfer
Describe and practice safe body mechanics, positioning, and one-person transfer techniques for a resident who needs assistance
Your checkpoint
Complete a hazard-identification checklist for a simulated room listing 10 or more hazards, each paired with a specific correction.
Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living
Demonstrate a complete bed bath and a partial bath, including perineal care, with correct privacy and draping technique
Perform oral care for a conscious resident and for an unconscious resident (simulated), including denture care
Assist a simulated resident with dressing, grooming, and toileting while offering choice and encouraging independence
Describe how to inspect skin during care and list the early signs of pressure injury
Your checkpoint
Perform a timed 25-minute ADL sequence (bed bath, oral care, dressing) scored against a skills checklist with zero missed critical steps.
Safety and Emergency Response
List the links in the adult chain of survival and demonstrate chest compressions and rescue breathing on a training manikin at the correct rate and depth
Recognize the signs of choking and demonstrate back blows and abdominal thrusts for a conscious adult
Explain when and how to activate emergency medical services and what information to give the responding team
Identify the warning signs of stroke, hypoglycemia, and sudden cardiac arrest and state the immediate action for each
Your checkpoint
Pass a mock unresponsive-resident emergency scenario with every critical step performed in the correct order.
Basic Nursing Skills & Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living
Combine vital signs, intake and output measurement, and ADL care into one continuous 30-minute simulated care sequence
Demonstrate safe feeding techniques, including aspiration precautions and handling of thickened liquids
Perform range-of-motion exercises and apply anti-embolic stockings or a sling as directed
Record all care provided on a practice worksheet using accurate, objective, and timely documentation
Your checkpoint
Complete two full simulated care sequences end-to-end, each scored at 85% or higher on the combined skills rubric.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Demonstrate active listening, open-ended questioning, and clarification across three scripted resident conversations
Adapt communication approaches for a resident with hearing loss, a resident with aphasia, and a resident with dementia
Explain how to report a change in resident condition to the licensed nurse using a structured identify-situation-background-observation format
Identify common barriers to communication and describe respectful responses to conflict or refusal of care
Your checkpoint
Role-play three conversations with a study partner and score 80% or higher on a communication checklist for each.
Role and Responsibilities of the Nurse Assistant
Describe the nurse assistant's scope of practice and distinguish tasks performed independently from tasks that must be reported or delegated to the licensed nurse
Explain resident rights including privacy, dignity, choice, and freedom from abuse and neglect, and give one example of a violation of each
Identify the immediate actions and reporting requirements for suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation
Describe the components of the care plan and the nurse assistant's role in carrying it out and reporting needed changes
Your checkpoint
Write a one-page scope-of-practice summary that correctly classifies 20 care tasks as perform independently, perform under nurse direction, or report to the nurse.
Basic Nursing Skills & Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living & Safety and Emergency Response & Communication and Interpersonal Skills & Role and Responsibilities of the Nurse Assistant
Complete at least three timed 60-question practice exams spanning all five domains and review every missed item
Re-demonstrate any skill from weeks 1 through 7 that previously scored below 85%
Recite and apply safety and emergency response steps without referring to notes
Build a one-page personal review sheet of frequently missed facts and self-test from it
Your checkpoint
Score 85% or higher on a full-length 100-question practice exam covering all five domains, with every missed item logged and corrected.
Milestones
Week 2: Score 75% or higher on a 30-question quiz covering Domains 1 and 3, and submit a completed hazard checklist with corrections.
Week 4: Score 75% or higher on a 50-question cumulative quiz covering Domains 1, 2, and 3, and pass all four head-to-toe, transfer, ADL, and emergency skills checklists with no critical-step misses.
Week 6: Score 80% or higher on a 25-question communication quiz and pass all three role-play communication checklists.
Week 8: Score 85% or higher on a full-length 100-question practice exam across all five domains and complete a re-demonstration of every skill scoring below 85%.