INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Depending on the state you plan to work in, requirements for becoming a CNA vary. Regardless of the state you're living in, however, you can expect some form of training and a certification exam. Check local regulations first. You can call a local hospital and someone should be able to provide answers there. Find out exactly what the requirements are in your state before enrolling in any training programs. In addition to local regulations, check with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. A wide variety of institutions offer training programs and you can find a list of programs in your area. Once you have identified the specific regulations for your state, enroll in a training program that suits your needs. Typically, programs last from 4 to 16 weeks. Make time to fully engage in the program and get the most out of the experience. Pay-to-learn programs are often offered a nursing homes or health care facilities. These can be a great option if you're on a budget. They generally run 2 to 6 weeks and are usually full time. In exchange for free classes and education, you're required to work a certain number of hours each week at the facility. This can be a great way to save money and gain hands-on experience that will look good during the job hunt. The Red Cross and local community colleges usually offer 6 month courses that cost between $300 and $600. The benefit of such courses over pay-to-learn programs is that training tends to be more extensive. Students tend to feel more confident coming out of such programs. Once you have completed your training, there is a state certification exam you need to pass in order to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. You can begin preparing by knowing what to expect. Most state CNA exams are divided into two sections: the written section and a clinical skills test. You must pass both sections in order to become certified. Most states require a score of at least 70% for both sections to pass. There are practice tests available online that can help you know what kind of information you can expect to be tested on. It's slightly harder to study for the clinical skills test, as it's more hands-on, but brushing up on procedures is a good way to prepare. Ask CNA's you worked with during your training about the exam. Ask them what areas they found most challenging and anything you can do to improve your chances of passing. Form study groups. Network with the other students you met during training and form study groups. This is a great motivator to get studying. If you have questions or areas that confuse you, your peers can help you sort these things out. Once you feel prepared, sign up to the take the state exam and show up on your scheduled time and date. Figure out costs. Generally, the cost to take the CNA exam is around #100 but this varies from state to state. When you go in to take the test, you'll need two forms of identification, at least one of which is a picture ID. Leave all personal items, like cell phones and purses, outside the testing area. Some states require you to bring someone to act as your patient during the clinical skills portion of the exam. You must complete the written exam, which is in multiple choice format, within 2 hours. The clinical skills test, where you perform medical skills in front of evaluators, will take about 35 to 45 minutes. Yet again, requirements vary from state-to-state but you can retake the exam. Depending on which portion you failed, and your score, some states may require you to wait a period of 2 weeks to 90 days before retaking the exam. Check with your local certification board. Some states are stricter about the CNA exam and require you to redo your training in addition to retaking the test. Know your state's requirement. Figure out why you failed. Sometimes, people fail the exam due to anxiety rather than actually lacking the required knowledge. If this is the case with you, try to figure out how to keep your nervousness in check the next time you take the exam.

SUMMARY: Learn about local regulations and requirements. Enroll in and complete a training program. Prepare for your certification exam. Take the state exam. Know what to do if you do not pass the test the first time.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you call up a shy girl out of the blue, it's possible that she'll give you an excuse to avoid going out. This isn't because she doesn't like you, but because introverted or shy-types like to have their plans in place. Shy girls need a chance to get ready mentally for a date. If it's 4:30 on a Friday night and a shy girl doesn't have plans, she's probably looking forward to a quiet night at home. Make your plans ahead of time to give her enough opportunity to prepare. In general, try to make plans at least 1-2 days ahead of time at least. It's good to plan an activity for a date with a shy girl, so you'll have something to do together. If conversation is going to be hard, try to pick an activity that'll let her loosen up and have a good time, without having to do a lot of talking. Going for a bike ride, bowling, or playing mini golf might seem like silly ways to go on a date, but it's a good way to keep yourself active and busy. You'll have a fun shared experience. Dinner is a good opportunity to talk, but it might end up being pretty awkward if you have a hard time talking together. Alternatively, movies mean you can't talk at all. Not the best choices. Make sure whatever you do is quiet enough for her to talk if she wants to. If you go to a booming club with loud electronic music, you'll never be able to talk. Shy girls aren't generally big partiers. If you ask a shy girl if she wants to go to a big dance, or to the football game, or to a loud dance club, don't be offended if she'd rather stay in and watch Netflix on the couch with you. Make the time that you're together special, even if you're not doing something that sounds like a date. Cook dinner together, instead of going out to a fancy new restaurant. This gives you the chance to do an activity that will get you talking, even if you're just talking about the chicken and rice dish you're making together. Shy girls are often intimidated by large groups, but you can always ask her about her preferences. While it might sound great to you to hang out with all your friends and watch football together in a huge group, it might be her worst nightmare. Try to give yourself some private time. Of course, some girls might be more comfortable in group dates and feel more shy one-on-one. All girls are different. Talk to her and find out what she prefers and do what makes her feel comfortable. If you do go to a dance or some other kind of social event, come up with a signal that she can give you if she wants to leave or pick a designated time leave. Being shy doesn't mean that she doesn't have a strong opinion. When you're going out, give her the opportunity to pick the activity. This will help her feel comfortable and confident that you enjoy being together. Give her the opportunity to open up. Don't be afraid to take charge, though. Some shy girls might give you a lot of "I don't know" answers when you ask what she'd like to do on Friday night. Have a plan in place, if she doesn't. You should also offer more than 1 option to ensure that she can pick what she feels most comfortable doing.

SUMMARY:
Make plans ahead of time. Plan fun dates that will get her to open up. Spend your downtime together too. Make your dates one-on-one. Let her pick the plan.