Pharmacology/Drug Calculation Tests

We give a pharm/calulation test after hire. The new nurse (& travelers) gets a study packet and have 1 month and three attempts to pass. A different test is given each time. If a nurse is unable to pass, I tutor in the area of weakness before they re-test.

If after three attempts the policy states they are "separated". I've never had this happen.

Some do feel very discussed about the process.
fgoff

fgoff,

If you are looking for pre-employment tests, remember that you MUST use a valid & reliable tool - one that is defensible in cases of employment lawsuits. NLN offers a wide variety of pharmacology tests - for everything from new grads to specialty care areas. There is a 'per user' fee, but the tests are available on line and can be set up with very little effort. It's nearly impossible to create home grown tests that will stand up to legal scrutiny unless you have a nurse PhD and 6 months to spend on the effort.

Personally I am really ambivalent about the issue of med tests. As a nurse, I naturally get insulted when anyone questions 'our' ability. However, as an educator . . . let's just say that I have an ever-increasing store of empirical evidence that our assumption of universal nursing competency is not valid.

I have personal knowledge of many instances of people with the right credentials who turn out to be undeniably incompetent. When we hire these folks, they put a strain on our incumbent staff and jeopardize our patients' safety. So -- my personal position is one of "trust but verify". We should treat all nurses as though they are fully competent, but at the same time, we have to put systems in place to ensure that our high opinions are warranted.

The most important consideration is equity... treat everyone the same. If you test - test all applicants and NEVER make an exception. If you say "three tries & your out", you need to be ready to terminate when necessary. Because, even one exception will open you up to charges of disparate treatment and could cost your organization a bundle.

My staff are already employeed (after hire, not applicants)and are paid for the time to take the test. Also paid during the study/coaching sessions if needed! It is part of thier job. As to the test...yes it was written by a team of nurses, with MSNs and PhDs mostly at UNC and other state of NC agencies input and you're right it took them over 18 months to write and "test" the test on all of us Staff Educators!
As to the legal side.... I give the test and report the test results to supervisors, they make the choice to carry out "separtions" ....( like I said, with three tries and coaching ... how does anyone fail??? I can find no documentation in the records of this ever happening!
I always remember...you can get sued for doing all the right things, just as often as when failing to carry-out policy. So I do policy and let the AG's office fight the fights that need fighting.....

Thanks!
fgoff