Critical Thinking For Med-surg nursing

gentle · Aug 25, 2006

Mojofla,

What is the PBD test? If you are doing your job well, then why were you terminiated? What was your specialty? Why didn't they allow you to take more classes for self improvement, before, this happened? I have never heard of this before.

I personally could use alot of improvement in my critical thinking skills at work. I will try to find this book on the internet, probably amazon.com.

Thank you for your transparency in making this post.

mojofla · Aug 31, 2006

Mojofla,
What is the PBD test? If you are doing your job well, then why were you terminiated? What was your specialty? Why didn't they allow you to take more classes for self improvement, before, this happened? I have never heard of this before.
I personally could use alot of improvement in my critical thinking skills at work. I will try to find this book on the internet, probably amazon.com.
Thank you for your transparency in making this post.

gentle... There are plenty of threads here on PBDS. Just go under search and type in PBDS. It will explain the test and really has nothing to do with doing your job well.All the questions you asked are answered on threads for PBDS ..then you will get an idea of the test and possible consequences. As you can see under ny name my areas of nursing. It was med/surg floor and the test was designed as an assessment/learning tool but some hospitals use it to terminate you. The hospital where I was doesnt consider it as a termination..just that you are not hirable as a travel nurse. They did state I was qualified to work a a staff nurse or a 6 month seasonal contract working 3- 12hr shifts one week and 4-12hr shifts the next. However I am moving back to my old hospital and will have my pay/benefits reinstated.(I actully made more as a staff RN where I was with benefits and vacation) I moved here for a year due to my fiance job relocation but we have decided to now go back home. I think it was just wrong to treat people like this. I am a good nurse and very qualified. My former co-workers rolled over laughing when I told them of this test and that it basically said I had no critical thinking skills.

I basically want to make people aware of the test and possible consequences. Thank goodness I was not financially affected by loss of this contract but a lot of us do live paycheck to paycheck, have bills,kids and I hate to see anyone else pack up move and have to repack and leave. As I understand you will not get travel reimbursed by most companies. The hospital did pay for orientation but I know of 1 persn who lost her paycheck to the travel company because she had to spend a few extra days in their housing after she was sent packing. It was her first travel experience and a very unpleasant experience for her.

At the hospital where I did the PBDS I did work one 12 hr shift because no one notified me that my contract was null & void . The nurse manager never even said anything to me. This incompetent old nurse however was the only one who could put an NG in a pt for them. The nurse orientating me also had a trach pt...she didn't know trach care. I had to tell her what the trach "inserts "were and to order up a box of the inserts( shileys). PICC/CVC dressings didnt look like they were changed ..nothing was dated as to when things were done last. Neither she nor the clinical coordinator took the test and stated they would never pass it.

Please do look up the threads as you will see/hear different experiences/stories from both travel nurses and staff nurses.

I went to a bookstore and saw a small pocked sized book for medsurg by Davis co. and after reading the threads and links found the 10 or 11 medical diagnosis you must make on the test and it gave you the steps you should take,things to do for that diagnosis. I will pick that book up .

GOOD LUCK and hope this helps.

DevelopmentRN · Sep 21, 2006

You can run and you can hide..............but you can't run and hide from PBDS.

gentle · Sep 26, 2006

gentle... There are plenty of threads here on PBDS. Just go under search and type in PBDS. It will explain the test and really has nothing to do with doing your job well.All the questions you asked are answered on threads for PBDS ..then you will get an idea of the test and possible consequences. As you can see under ny name my areas of nursing. It was med/surg floor and the test was designed as an assessment/learning tool but some hospitals use it to terminate you. The hospital where I was doesnt consider it as a termination..just that you are not hirable as a travel nurse. They did state I was qualified to work a a staff nurse or a 6 month seasonal contract working 3- 12hr shifts one week and 4-12hr shifts the next. However I am moving back to my old hospital and will have my pay/benefits reinstated.(I actully made more as a staff RN where I was with benefits and vacation) I moved here for a year due to my fiance job relocation but we have decided to now go back home. I think it was just wrong to treat people like this. I am a good nurse and very qualified. My former co-workers rolled over laughing when I told them of this test and that it basically said I had no critical thinking skills.
I basically want to make people aware of the test and possible consequences. Thank goodness I was not financially affected by loss of this contract but a lot of us do live paycheck to paycheck, have bills,kids and I hate to see anyone else pack up move and have to repack and leave. As I understand you will not get travel reimbursed by most companies. The hospital did pay for orientation but I know of 1 persn who lost her paycheck to the travel company because she had to spend a few extra days in their housing after she was sent packing. It was her first travel experience and a very unpleasant experience for her.
At the hospital where I did the PBDS I did work one 12 hr shift because no one notified me that my contract was null & void . The nurse manager never even said anything to me. This incompetent old nurse however was the only one who could put an NG in a pt for them. The nurse orientating me also had a trach pt...she didn't know trach care. I had to tell her what the trach "inserts "were and to order up a box of the inserts( shileys). PICC/CVC dressings didnt look like they were changed ..nothing was dated as to when things were done last. Neither she nor the clinical coordinator took the test and stated they would never pass it.
Please do look up the threads as you will see/hear different experiences/stories from both travel nurses and staff nurses.
I went to a bookstore and saw a small pocked sized book for medsurg by Davis co. and after reading the threads and links found the 10 or 11 medical diagnosis you must make on the test and it gave you the steps you should take,things to do for that diagnosis. I will pick that book up .
GOOD LUCK and hope this helps.

Thanks for the post. I did read several other posts regarding pbds and will keep a look out. Haven't purchased a book yet. Will be purchasing as soon as I can. Until then, I will read for understanding wisdom --vs passing a test.

mojofla · Sep 28, 2006

DevelopmentRN...I have no idea why you would post that comment.The nurses here are looking for advice on how to better deal with and pass the PBDS. I see you have posted prior that you have background in developing programs for new grads...so maybe instead you can post some worthwhile advice instead of posting this same comment on a couple of threads. Nobody is running or hiding here...

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2006

I have been a RN for 5 years. My hospital system implemented the test last year. Just because you didn't pass dosen't mean you aren't a good nurse. The test shows you a scenario of a pt having complications, or hearing a snipet of conversation. You have to answer based on what you see and hear. I watched all the scenarios last year during my preceptor class and then had to take the test myself recently. So I can see why people fail. But you should be given your results and with some constructive advice. I think I did well because I had a heads up on what was on the test. Don't let this get you down. You don't get all the info you need to make a decision about the pt. Example (Pt has bun 35 creat 2.1 pt nauseated and vomiting after bowel surgery output was 2000, then 900, pt had been treated with massive fluid replacement for hypovolemic shock. my dx renal faliure. so you can see you need more info than the test gives you)

hollywood · Nov 22, 2006

DevelopmentRN...I have no idea why you would post that comment.The nurses here are looking for advice on how to better deal with and pass the PBDS. I see you have posted prior that you have background in developing programs for new grads...so maybe instead you can post some worthwhile advice instead of posting this same comment on a couple of threads. Nobody is running or hiding here...

:smilecoffeecup: Hi mojofla

I just loved what you posted

Greetings

Hollywood

P.S I have to take the PBDS for a position in Broward Florida wish me luck I have failed it in Naples,too

Bozzie · Dec 21, 2006

I am also a travel nurse and failed my PBDS. What a horrible test!!! I got home and had a message on my machine telling me my contract was cancelled and I had 48 hrs to get out of the apartment they provided! I have been a nurse for 22 yrs so I know what I am doing. I am trying to get a position in another hospital as an internal seasonal contract and found out I have to take the test again. I am terrified. I am paying the travel agency to live in the apartment for the next week and half and after that I don't know what I am going to do. I am going to buy that book as soon as I am off line and hope and pray I can pass it the next time.

pattchez · Dec 22, 2006

As a staff nurse I have taken PBDS at two different hospitals in two different states. Now as an educator, our hospital stopped using the PBDS, last year, because it was not measuring "competency" but rather teaching people to remember senarios. From an educator standpoint, the PBDS is a time comsuming test answers plus the PBDS senarios could be subjective in certain cases. It was frustrating to me to take the tests as a staff nurse and grade the tests as an educator -- a lose/lose situation. I am glad we change to something different. That is my thoughts.

sjt9721, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2006

... But you should be given your results and with some constructive advice...

Many travel and agency companies require the nurse to be successful on the initial assessment.

No, it's not the original intent of PBDS, but it's the way that some companies/facilities choose to implement it.

gitterbug · Dec 22, 2006

On another site many travel nurses are refusing to accept assignments at facilities that require this test. But more and more facilities are using this test. Guess this is another way to contribute to the nursing shortage.