what the HECK is PBDS?

ERRNTraveler, RN · Jan 14, 2008

I have to agree with all ya'll. PBDS stinks. I had to take it about 2 weeks after I graduated, and didn't really know what it was all about at the time. I completely agree that it's insulting. Even as a new grad, I found it offensive. Plus, I do not feel that it actually measures competency or knowledge. The way the questions are asked can be misleading, too. I actually passed it, but hated every minute of it. I have been considering getting into traveling, and I do not plan to take it again. Do you think they would make someone take it again who has already passed it? Would they make you take it again at each new facility?

It depends on the hospital- some hospitals will accept your passing the test at another facility, some won't.

NeoNurseTX, RN · Nov 19, 2008

Ugh, I'm about to go tackle this demon. I am NOT amused after sitting through hospital orientation all week that taught me to say please and thank you..now I have to do this. I'm licensed and have experience with good references. Isn't that enough?

skigr · Jan 22, 2009

Jan. 22, 2009

I am a nurse with 16 yrs experience. I work as a local area agency nurse as house float (MICU, SICU, ER, PACU, Med/surg, tele). I have been doing that for the last 7 yrs. I just took the critical care pbds test at Greenville, NC yesterday and found out that I failed. I am from Ohio and packed everything up for a 13 week assignment in their MICU. My agency (Advantage RN) is sending me home with no job available. I am the horror story that everyone needs to know. Hindsight 20/20.....It is ok to take this exam, however, do it in you own state or just fly to the assignment stay 2 nights and go home after the exam. Get your results at home while you still have a job and do not incur the expenses, time, travel, and inconvienance of moving 4 states away just to move back in 4 days! I was not prepared for the test, I was told it was a trivial standards of care test. I took the exam after driving 12 hours the day before, and the testing facilities were cold and undesirable to say the least. I did not receive any time of results except that I failed (go home). I have no idea how I did, but after preparing to leave home for 13 weeks, 12 hour drive, in a city I know nothing about, taking the exam in a 50 degree trailer in winter. I hope that I spelled my name correctly and got that right. I hope every nurse reads this or hears about it so they are not in the pickle that I am in today. Thank you

Fort Worth · Jan 22, 2009

You are better off without Craven - Trust me!

I will only accept PBDS in a contract if I can take it locally

and it is scored by one of the outside contractors.

SargeRN · Jan 23, 2009

OK so call me dense. I've only been in the medical field for 40+ years and just the last 13 + as a nurse.

What the heck is PBDS!

Sarge

NeoNurseTX, RN · Jan 23, 2009

Okay, it was GRUELING and long and thank goodness I type extremely fast.. I passed and even got positive comments on my 'critical thinking' section. They only had two things that I missed on there. I'm a bit shocked. But..it was a very long test.

neurorn6 · Jan 23, 2009

From what I have gather, alot of the Magnet Hospitals are using this test. I have been offered 2 different jobs and turned both down because of it. I have to say that my company does provide coaching and a personal refresher the weekend before the test. I have taken them up on it and I don't know that I will.

I did read, that the woman who designed the test has voiced her anger on the test being used against travelers in the manner that it is being used. She designed it as a tool to help nurses, not hurt them.

I know that we are are looking for positions but as a profession, we really need to stand together on this issue.

Fort Worth · Jan 23, 2009

I have taken the test in three facilities, Tx, Co and Tn and passed it in each. None of these were Magnet or appeared to have any aspiration as a Magnet hospital. HCA tends to use it but not in all states.

There is a partial list of hospitals on Pan Travelers and some general study guides.

However if it is not graded by an outside contractor there is potential for abuse. I try to avoid it on contracts, if you have to take it just try to literally spell out every single ABC intervention for every scenerio presented.

skigr · Jan 23, 2009

I took the test at Pitt Memorial in Greenville, NC. The hospital states that it cost them $150 for me to take the test (that is 3rd hand information tho). My agency does not know now if they will reimburse any of my expenses. $200 round trip for gas, $250 for the hotel for 4 nights(it actually was a nice hotel) $230 for the NC nursing license, $198 for the Physical (they will require you to get a FIT testing for respirator & you have to have a pulmonary function test done by your physician. Also you have to have a chicken pox titer or vacine). Travelers: if you are so secure in your test taking abilities and can take a test in the conditions I decribed earlier. Willing to chance @ $1000 of expenses upfront. Take the PBDS assignment. What was I thinking?

BSN_DEC_2006 · Jan 24, 2009

I was required to take this exam for one of the Texas Health Resources (THR) hospitals in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. They make all travelers take it in the THR system. I passed, but thought it was a pretty long exam. For the most part it wasn't very difficult to identify the medical diagnosis (which you are required to do), but from what i hear,... they like for your to be very detailed on what you should do (i.e. nursing interventions) and your rationale for those nursing interventions. In my opinion, this is what made the test difficulty for me. It was a good thing I can type really fast because the test is timed.

To me, it felt like for each video/case scenario, you had to type out a pretty lengthy care plan... very similar to the ones i did for my clinicals in nursing school. I think there were like 4 or 5 video scenarios... so, imagine trying to fill out 4 or 5 lengthy/detailed care plans, and that's what the PBDS test is like.

There are other parts of the exam where they give you a video scenario (e.g. an infiltrated iv site), and they ask you for a brief description of what you should do (e.g. d/c IV)... but that part of the exam is pretty easy and straight forward. I think it's the video scenarios where you're expected to make the medical dx and appropriate nursing interventions section where most nurses have difficulty.

I took the PBDS designated for ICU nurses, and i believe there are separate ones for med/surg and peds, etc... I've also heard that each ICU exam is the same and each med/surg exam is the same, etc...

I wouldn't mind taking another travel assignment that would require the PBDS, but i would definitely study beforehand and not underestimate it!!!!

skigr · Jan 24, 2009

I am took the "Critical Care" exam and I can assure you there were no "give me" questions i.e. iv infiltrations. There were 10-11 videos of very distress patients. After 12 hour drive and being in a 50 degree room, I was in no mood to take a 4 1/2 hour exam to Medically manage patients. This is my 1st travel assignment & I had alot of other things on my mind to say the least. The additional stress was not welcomed. Glad you passed, but I am not ready to take a chance like that ever again.

skigr · Feb 6, 2009

this is a copy of the letter that i received 3 weeks after i lost the contract with the agency after failing the pbds test. the only thing i changed was the recruiters name and put in the agency name (advantagern).

hi greg!!

sorry it took me so long to get back to you! hope you made it home ok. my director and ceo will not reimburse for any travel or medicals because of the pbds test. greg, i have fought for you but its not my decision. they told me if i could find you another contract we would gladly pay you back for your medicals. at this point i am sure you don't want to work with me or advantage rn, and even if you did i don't currently have anything in ohio, or remotely close. i will call you tomorrow morning when i get in and we can go over all this. sorry for the bad news greg!

recruiter's name(advantagern)