Entrance Exam for a Job, is it necessary?

[aromarn]

Hello all,

I was just wondering, after all the hardship we went through at nursing school ( countless exam)to get our degree and then the BIG one NCLEX, RN exam,.... Is it fair Hopsitals are doing an entrance exam before even getting an interview? where do we draw the line, enough is enough?

I understand everybody wants the best person, they look at experience, and ADN or BSN! On top of it why are we getting tested on the same thing? I recently had an enerance exam at Wyckoff hospital( 60 questions and Hard), a friend of mine did an entrance exam at Home care before an interview as well.

I know this concept have been around, but do you all think its fair, or necessary???? Usually after oreintation, there is always a an exam to reflect on what you learn but most importantly to see if you understand code and policies of that particular hospital you work for. ( This makes so much sense to me)

Anyway, does anyone know if St. Vincent Hospital Manhattan have entrance exam? If there is, any info will be appreciated.

Thanks

[CathyLew]

you have to look at the entrance exam as not being for new grads.... that same exam may be given to the nurse who graduated 15 years ago, took time off to raise a family....and the hospital wants to know if he/she is up to snuff. retention of knowledge isn't standard across the board. use it or loose it. some people after a long break would not pass an enterance exam. other will. the hospital doesn't want to re-train people. you just got out of school, your exam skills are sharp. take the exam. and go forth. of course the hospital may also look at the older more experienced nurse that may not have aced the enterance exam...but has more to bring to the table with experience. So always bring everything you have to the table when looking for a job. the enterance exam is just one process in screening.

[SweettartRN]

I personally will walk out of any job interview/hiring process that requires that I test out or have an exam of any type.

While I understand the need for nurses to stay up to date in their knowledge, that's what CEU's are supposed to be for. The State says my license is good enough for them, so I feel that should prove that I am a nurse.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

Many hospitals require the following: a personality profile test, a medication test, and some require you to watch a video on customer service and require you to sign a form that states that you will be willing to meet those customer service standards.

[DoGoodThenGo]

Hello all,

I was just wondering, after all the hardship we went through at nursing school ( countless exam)to get our degree and then the BIG one NCLEX, RN exam,.... Is it fair Hopsitals are doing an entrance exam before even getting an interview? where do we draw the line, enough is enough?

I understand everybody wants the best person, they look at experience, and ADN or BSN! On top of it why are we getting tested on the same thing? I recently had an enerance exam at Wyckoff hospital( 60 questions and Hard), a friend of mine did an entrance exam at Home care before an interview as well.

I know this concept have been around, but do you all think its fair, or necessary???? Usually after oreintation, there is always a an exam to reflect on what you learn but most importantly to see if you understand code and policies of that particular hospital you work for. ( This makes so much sense to me)

Anyway, does anyone know if St. Vincent Hospital Manhattan have entrance exam? If there is, any info will be appreciated.

Thanks

Yes it is "fair" and entirely reasonable.

Be it a new grad or a seasoned RN who is changing clincial settings to a RN who has been out of the loop for awhile for personal reasons, a hospital needs some way of measuring certian skill sets.

Pharm exams are very important as the long orientations with someone watching over one's shoulder as one did meds are by and large long gone. Hospitals expect newly hired nurses to hit the floors running, and with some allowances made for new grads (one hopes), within several weeks or months you are going to be on your own.

While there are Med Dose Calc questions on the NCLEX, it is nothing like what one will see on the floors, and unlike an exam you will be preparing and giving meds to a live human being, where errors can have dire consequences. You would be surprised how many new grads think that because of IV pumps and automated medication dispensing systems they do not have to be totally up to snuff.

Safe practice begins at the hiring stage.