Hospital specific tests before contract

NedRN · Jun 5, 2014

Such tests are not uncommon, even when it doesn't seem appropriate to the specialty. I'm an OR nurse even less likely to need such proficiency than you and I often have to take them. However, it is rare that a hospital will bounce you for poor performance. It is more like paperwork they need to have on file to satisfy various agencies (like JC and Medicare) if audited. Generally such tests are done open book, or in a collaborative environment with other orientees, or self graded before handing them in. Or you simply have your mistakes corrected and take it again until you pass. Failing is usually not an option (except for the dreaded PBDS test).

SpookyRN, BSN · Jun 7, 2014

I get anxiety just reading "PBDS Test" and its been years since I've had to take it!! :arghh: Do hospitals still use that dreadful thing??

As far as the other "competency" tests: I seem to always have to take some before a new assignment and they don't always apply to me either as I'm a cath lab nurse (can't remember the last time I had to think about vanco peak/troughs!) Anyway….the questions start to become familiar after while and I've never had a contract canceled because of them.

jks_05 · Jun 10, 2014

Hospitals definitely still use the PBDS. I traveled 2200 miles to my first travel contract last summer, went through hospital orientation, and had started orienting on the floor, only for them to say "Btw, you have to take the PBDS Friday. If you fail your contract is cancelled." Luckily I passed, but I know a couple people didn't and they sent them packing. It's absolutely horrible and now I always ask if the hospital requires it before accepting a contract.

And yeah, it seems like I have to take some sort of competency test/internet learning modules at every hospital. They're usually a lot of the same questions and are more annoying than anything else.

88nurse2010 · Jun 12, 2014

Thanks for the replies! It looks like most are online tests and allow several attempts. I think the dysrhthmia exam is taken during the orientation phase. It makes me nervous to quit my job, travel across the country, and then possibly failing and not getting the contract! Makes me feel better that they are typically not an issue.