BCAT exam for critical care nurses

rncopper · Oct 26, 2003

Posted a reply to you at the other thread you posted this question.

You can also email me privately.:)

glynda · May 16, 2004

I have worked at Sunrise Hospital. It is a very hard place to work, not because of the work, but because of the other nurses. Backstabbing to the new nurses. Good luck

I am a traveler with Starmed. Looking to accept an assignment in Las Vegas at Sunrise. Interviewer tells me they give the BCAT exam to their critical care nurses. Would like info if any available. I have never heard of the exam. Anyone taken it? Any study material or prep material available?

glynda · May 16, 2004

The BCAT exam is a very intense test. I didn't take it at Sunrise, but I did at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach California.

QUOTE=glynda]I have worked at Sunrise Hospital. It is a very hard place to work, not because of the work, but because of the other nurses. Backstabbing to the new nurses. Good luck

heart queen · May 16, 2004

I'm not aware of your experience, but after one year I took the test and passed it no problem. I did have exposure to a variety of patients which helped. It skims the surface of everything, swans, vents, ABG's meds

rncopper · May 16, 2004

I'm not aware of your experience, but after one year I took the test and passed it no problem. I did have exposure to a variety of patients which helped. It skims the surface of everything, swans, vents, ABG's meds

The BKAT is not designed as a "pass or fail" exam. It is an educational tool that, according to the author, is to be used for determining the educational requirements of nurses. There are BKAT's for ER, Peds, etc. The author states in her preamble to the "test" that it is NOT to be used for hiring or firing.

There have been at least 6 versions of the BKAT. You can get the exam from the author directly. I am sorry I do not have the address.

burnicurn1972 · Jan 30, 2005

Posted a reply to you at the other thread you posted this question.
You can also email me privately.:)

I know its been a while since someone asked you about the BCAT, but if you have any info on it PLEASE, I mean PLEASE. I am taking verison 6, if that helps in anyway. I'm not sure how to study or anything for this test all I know is it is suppose to be VERY hard, so please is you have any info on it, you can email me privately also, [email protected] thanks again-Sara

travmia · Jul 25, 2005

I am also going to be taking the Bkat 6 so I need some study guide information Please

NURSE1913 · Aug 1, 2005

i am a tele nurse and i was told i have to take the bkat critical care nurse test. i have no idea what to do. any suggestions? any info? :uhoh21:

Tony35NYC · Aug 19, 2005

The BKAT assessment for critical care nursing is not an easy test, but its not too bad. The type of questions I saw were the same type of questions you would expect to see on an NCLEX exam. Its a very practical assessment, and by that I mean that the questions are made up with exactly the type of stuff you would expect to see and do every day on a special care unit, so if you are an experienced telemetry nurse you should do fine.

The test contains several telemetry strips that you have to identify the rhythms (and they are not hard ones) and some other simple questions about interpreting an ECG. They do ask quite a few questions about cardiac meds, and nursing interventions for some of the more common diagnoses that you would expect to see in an ICU. Lots of med-surg (renal problems, GI bleeds, liver, gallbladder, etc.). The questions include *trauma*, tubes, drips, increasing ICP, neuro assessment, dialysis, insulin therapy, ABGs, lab values, etc. But the questions are pretty basic. Its mostly multiple choice, and even a new grad should be able to get most of them right.

rndpm · Nov 8, 2005

I am a traveler with Starmed. Looking to accept an assignment in Las Vegas at Sunrise. Interviewer tells me they give the BCAT exam to their critical care nurses. Would like info if any available. I have never heard of the exam. Anyone taken it? Any study material or prep material available?

I need the same if anyone has any info

wendeRN · Dec 13, 2007

The BKAT test was designed as an educational tool. It was designed by Jean Toth and it states that is is NOT to be used as a means for hiring or firing potenetial nurse candidates from jobs.