BKAT-Critical Care

Biffbradford · Jan 10, 2012

Never heard of it, but here's an old thread:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/bkat-202099.html

**LaurelRN, MSN · Jan 10, 2012

i took it, no preparation- it was cake. it's a few med compatibilities, acls, rhythms, prioritization, lines, hemodynamics...stuff like that....

grogan.lacey · Jul 24, 2012

It's not a hard test if you are competent and know what you are doing. It basically tests your ability to critically think. Go over rhythms and interventions as these are hit hard. Here is the website for the BKAT where you can find more information on the test and what to review. Just remember to breathe- it's not a hard test!

Home

crnacrn07 · Jul 21, 2013

grogan.lacey said:
It's not a hard test if you are competent and know what you are doing. It basically tests your ability to critically think. Go over rhythms and interventions as these are hit hard. Here is the website for the BKAT where you can find more information on the test and what to review. Just remember to breathe- it's not a hard test!
Home

I have over 10 years of ER nursing under my belt and I took a BKAT for a per diem position. I had no prep either but was told I failed it. I have to disagree with your comment that it was an easy test, it was not. Took over an hr to complete. There is a website that you can order a copy of the test you are taking for about $15 but it takes about 4 weeks to get it.

natashadove · Aug 26, 2013

I will be taking the BKAT very soon. I found out late so I did not have time to request it from the official site. I am using a critical care test-prep book and I hope to do well on the test.....

I'll post when I find out!

Do-over, ASN, RN · Aug 28, 2013

I did not prep for it, because I didn't have time (wouldn't have anyhow). It is used, where I am, as an assessment tool - it is taken before and after a CC course.

I did OK on it. Some of the stuff I had no clue being new to ICU.

jacobyme · Sep 7, 2013

I'm a new grad. I took it and got a 63. They never went over anything with us or what we got wrong or what we need to work on. Just told us our scores.

gypsyd8 · Jan 29, 2016

My facility has instituted this test. I emailed with the developer of the test in order to request study materials, (something like the test plan for the CCRN) and received this reply:

"If you are taking a BKAT, go to the BKAT Webpage at www.BKAT-toth.org and choose the BKAT that you think you would/will be taking. READ about it. Keep reading until you find the part about â€˜content areas' [this is towards the beginning]: These are the things to study. Also, close to the content areas are three actual questions on-line to give you an idea about the BKAT. To see them, click on the yellow star.

If you are currently working in an ICU, you may order any BKAT you wish. Since you are at the BKAT Webpage, click on â€˜To Order', and read. Please note that it takes 3-4 weeks to receive your BKAT(s) after you have been approved as eligible. The time delay makes it unlikely that a BKAT that is ordered to memorize answers will arrive soon enough: This is planned, on purpose.

To be eligible, you must be currently working in an ICU as a RN or a critical care educator. To order the MED-SURG BKAT, you must be currently working in a med/surg unit and be a RN.

Remember: BKAT means basic knowledge, not CCRN. Also, BKAT may NOT be used for hiring, firing, or screening. Please report any abuse to [email protected]"

Dan12345 · Nov 23, 2016

I sit on the unit based council (6 member council) at a small hospital and interested in getting the BKAT9 for Adult ICU. We have no educator for our floor, we use charge nurses (no clinical manager) and we run things by way of the unit based council.

We (the council) thought we would use it to identify the need for added educational topics and inservices for RN's. However, I went to the website and sent a email inquiring about BKAT and filling out the form and paying the $15.00. I rec'd a email back that I would not be able to order it - see below:

BKATs may not be used for screening. They are used as an assessment tool. The Nursing Educator/Manager who will administer and score the BKATs is the onlyi one who may order a BKAT. The BKATs measure basic knowledge needed for safe patient care.

In short i was denied getting it. So I thought i would ask on here if anyone has the test or another website that I can order it from ???

Thank You.........

Trinicute · Nov 6, 2018

The Bkat is supposed to be an assessment tool but yet it is used to terminate traveler contracts and deny prospective nurses ED or critical care positions. What a shame! As if the pressures of nursing school and NCLEX was not enough!!!

Dan12345 · Nov 11, 2018

Well i have been following this thread for awhile - hospitals and mine included are using this to allow or not allow nurses to get hired or to transfer into critical care areas and personally I do not like it.......... So, what I have been doing is that as people take the test i was asking them to look at 1-2 questions before they leave the exam and when they leave to immediately write down or call me with as much information about the questions and answers as they can remember. It has taken me months of collecting information and to put it into a word document. As a test I gave the notes to 2 people recently and they passed it. I do not know how many versions there are out there that are being used but i will continue to put together this study outline going forward.

Soon im going to put it up on YouTube for anyone interested - If you remember anything about the exam and want to help me keep this up to date please contact me at [email protected] ..........Put in the title of your email BKAT HELP in all caps so i can get it out of my spam filter if it goes there........... thank you for any support or help ahead of time...........Dan