what the HECK is PBDS?

IndigoCarmine · Feb 8, 2009

this is a copy of the letter that i received 3 weeks after i lost the contract with the agency after failing the pbds test. the only thing i changed was the recruiters name and put in the agency name (advantagern).
hi greg!!

sorry it took me so long to get back to you! hope you made it home ok. my director and ceo will not reimburse for any travel or medicals because of the pbds test. greg, i have fought for you but its not my decision. they told me if i could find you another contract we would gladly pay you back for your medicals. at this point i am sure you don't want to work with me or advantage rn, and even if you did i don't currently have anything in ohio, or remotely close. i will call you tomorrow morning when i get in and we can go over all this. sorry for the bad news greg!

recruiter's name(advantagern)

this is appalling for so many reasons! where to start!?

no reimbursement?

sent in an email? not on the phone?

i hope you called them and gave them what-for.

dispicable.

campbellsoup62 · Feb 10, 2009

I refuse to go to any facility that requires this test. I have heard a lot of people failing at Pitt in Greenville,NC. They make it very hard to pass. I think they use it to "weed" out the people they decide they do not want. There should NOT be any required testing. If you have good references and experience that should be enough.

Being from NC I know that Pitt and Craven require the test. I'm not sure about Duke, Wake Med, Baptist, or UNC.

UNITE TOGETHER AND STOP THIS TESTING!!!!!!!!!

travelinjones · Feb 11, 2009

I agree, the test stinks, but it is also unreasonable for many to turn down work in this day and age. I have personally taken the test 5 times. I have it memorized. I know the patient's names and situations for each video vignette. I'm sure the intention is not to measure my memorization skills, and every time I tell the facility that it really won't measure my critical thinking skills at this point, they all say I have to sit for it any way. Then, as predicted, I ace the test by giving them all of the key words they need. Upon review, they say wow, we've never had a score that high before. Give me a break. I'm not that smart. I try getting out of it, and when I can't, I tell myself I'm getting paid well to take it. Some day, some one will realize the test is not worth the expense and that a one on one interview with a clinical nurse specialist for the unit/area of hire would probably tell a lot more about a potential new hire/traveler's ability to think critically. In the mean time, google it. There has been a lot of info posted with some pretty specific hints and study guides. You can prepare yourself thoroughly by looking up certain disease processes, consider the most critical actions, and the rationales for those actions. Also, think N-Clexy... in other words, don't put anyone else in the room with you. The patient in the video is your only patient. The info given is the only info you should react to. And another thing... Hemlytc reaction, hpR-glcmia/DKA, ilius/ bwel perf, dig tox, thrmbcytpnia, IICP, pnmothrax, ARF, autnmic dysrflxia, CVA, pain. Now then, honestly, the purpose of the test is to measure your ability to think critically, and to determine how much orientation you will require. The expectation is that travelers won't require much orientation, and therefore should do especially well on the test. The facilities that use PBDS pay good money for the testing, and believe in the product. I did too, the first time.

kmartin79 · Feb 19, 2009

I took the PBDS and I did not have any problems at all. I'm not a good test taker either. My company gave me a great review and my recruiter sent me over a great study guide. 2 out of the 10 people that took the test in our orientation didn't show up the next day, so I am guessing that they didn't pass. My best advice is to study and review with the educator that your company should have. This is only my 2nd year of nursing. Good luck to all!!

Kristen

kmartin79 · Feb 19, 2009

I took the test for Pitt County on Monday. 8 of us passed the test. Did you have a good review before you went? The only reason that I ask is because my company gave me a review guide and I studied with their nurse educator. Sorry to hear about your misfortune,

Kristen

leerachel38 · May 19, 2009

I took this test for a hospital in Wilmington, NC. It was awful. I just found out I failed and have to take it again. I am a new grad and was not told about the testing until the first day of orientation...which happened to be one or two days before the test. I have never heard of this kind of testing. I did not get a study session, nor a study guide. I still do not know what I was deficient in to help me when I retake it. I fail to see how this test helps me. I have been given a 6 wk orientation with the failing score. I wonder how long the orientation would be for a new grad who passed the test...3 weeks? That is unacceptable.

sjsch · May 24, 2009

Can't say what the facility would do as far as length of orientation for a new grad that 'passed' vs 'failed' pbds....

The purpose of the test (in theory) is to guide the orientation needs of the test taker. If you have a new grad that is a new RN, but has been an LPN on the same unit for 15 years, chances are the PBDS would direct their orientation needs to be different than a brand new nurse. The test reviewers give the facility information on specific areas of knowledge deficit. The facility then gives the designated preceptor areas to focus on when orienting the GN... The preceptor is the one using the information from the test to create a specific orientation tailored to the preceptee. That is how it is supposed to work.

IMO...GN's don't really 'fail' the test...because they can re-take it, and they keep their job.....

Travelers on the other hand, unfortunately do fail the test, sometimes as a 'weeding out' process....and that is wrong...unethical...dirty pool...

I say to travelers...do your very best to prepare yourself... (or pick a different assignment that doesn't use PBDS)

New grads...PBDS results may give you a more thorough orientation! and that is a bonus...

leerachel38 · Jul 1, 2009

Crazy enough, I got 6 weeks of orientation...as I previously said. I retook the test and failed again. At that time, I was told that I was supposed to have gotten a 12 week orientation, but I was already on the floor by myself. My preceptor never got the information from the first test and I don't have a preceptor now. Wasn't it just silly for me to have taken the test at all? I think it was a waste of time.

icu_nursie76 · Sep 4, 2009

Travelinjones-

please can you give some more info on the pbds test!!!! i am scheduled to take it next week!!! any info would be greatly appreciated!!!!

angel4gramma · Sep 11, 2009

I took the PBDS 2 yrs ago. I wasn't told before. Once we were in orientation they told us right before we had to take it. I passed. Just follow their suggestions. Look up other threads on it and study a little.

sra27 · Nov 6, 2009

I just got a job offer for a position in Florida starting January 4th. I really want to take it because I have a lot of family in Florida and the timing is perfect for me. However, I found out today that THEY REQUIRE PBDS TESTING!! :eek: I am scared to death that I will fail it again. To make a long story short, last year I failed it and ended up stranded in North Carolina with no job and no money (after driving all the way from MI).

I thought I was prepared when I took it last time ( I had several study guides that I had downloaded off the internet). If anyone has any good advice or a really good study guide (is there one that tells you what the scenerios are ahead of time?) Is there a website where I could take a practice version and have it graded beforehand? Please help me. I'm freaking myself out here.

NurseJacqui · Nov 8, 2009

What is PBDS?