Cleveland Clinic

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Specializes in MICU.

I recently accepted an RN position with the Cleveland Clinic and am in the process of preparing for a Basic ECG Test, a Medication Math Test, and a PBDS assessment.

Has anyone gone through this process with the Clinic before that can give me some insight? I'm curious in knowing how difficult these tests are and what I can do to prepare to ensure that I perform at my best.

Thank You!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Welcome to Allnurses.com!

You may wish to take a look over in our Ohio Nursing forum to see what other nurses have posted about their experiences with the Cleveland Clinic. Good luck!

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Specializes in MICU.

Thank you! I haven't seen any posts yet that specifically address this question, but I will take another look!

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The basic EKG test would be identifying simple rhythms such as NSR, sinus tach, afib, aflutter, sinus brady, may or may not cover heart blocks. I would just do a quick review of each, knowing how to recognize the strip, the PR interval, QRS, QT interval and what you would do if pt had these rhythms. When I was in orientation, we had a 2 day EKG class (for ICU nurses) and then took a test...it was pretty straight forward. The medication math test is super easy. You need to know how to figure out what dose to give a pt and then be able top drag the # of pills to the cup. For instance, order is Metoprolol PO 12.5mg and the pills come in 25mg, then you would give half a tab. There are also very simply IV flow rate questions. You need to be able to program in mL/hr and gtts/min. This test took all of 10 minutes and was very easy. If you were to fail, then you have another opportunity to take it after a few hours of remediation. i believe only 2 people failed out of 60 people.The PBDS assessment is a 4 hour test in which you watch about 10 video clips of patients and then have to literally type out all you would do for the patient, diagnose the patient's condition, including labs you would anticipate ordered, meds you may expect to be ordered, nursing interventions you can do in the meantime, etc. Possible scenarios could be acute MI, PE, acute kidney failure, etc. Almost everyone "fails" the PBDS the first time. There were about 10 of us out of 60 people who passed the first time, but it is hard to do since you have to be so specific. Don't get too worried, the whole point is to see what you know, and it will help guide your orientation. If you do not pass the first time, then you have to take the test again, but I believe that you get extra classes, so you literally will pass for sure the 2nd time. To my knowledge, only 1 person in the ICU group did not pass the 2nd time and I believe they put that person in tele (not 100% for sure though). Let me know if you have anymore questions. Good Luck!

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Specializes in MICU.

Thank you so much for your response!! It is really appreciated! I feel so much more at ease having heard from someone who has gone through this process! Thank you for your suggestions, I will incorporate them into my studying.

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Where can i find the Ohio Nursing forum?

Thanks a lot!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Where can i find the Ohio Nursing forum?

Thanks a lot!

I see that you have already found it...but here it is for any other people who happen to come along and read this thread...

Ohio Nursing forum: https://allnurses.com/ohio-nursing/

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