Im a new LPN with a lot of questions pls help.

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hello everyone i am a new lpn i received my license about 2 weeks ago now. i went on 1 interview and didnt get hired because i failed the preemployment medication test. i wish the guy that was interviewing me would have informed me that there was a test i would have brushed up. so when i got home that night i did a lil pharmacology review nothing big, well i should have have done something big because i went to another nursing home the following day and was given a preemployment test only this time there were med calculations questions. the lady told me i was not allowed to use a calculator:uhoh3:. i said ohhhh booooyyyy lol. i have not done med calculations with out a calculator in such a long time sad but true. in my school we were allowed to use calculators and even on the nclex your allowed to you a calculator. so i started this test and there were the common medications that you see every day but they were not asking for the common side effects that you usually see that accompany these medications. i started to freak out not to mention i was in the lobby taking the test were people were coming in and out loud music like i was in a club and a security guard smaking on fruits :nono:. so i complete the test and told the lady the administered the test to me that i dont think i did so well and if i was to work at the facility can i use a calculator. she look at me weird and said no you may not use a calculator on the floor because you should know the basics. i said oh ok thank you very much, she said we will grade the test and give you a call inwhich i doubt very much. so this whole weekend i have been studying and having alot of anxiety because this whole ordeal makes question how many other things have i forgotten since being out of school. so my questions are does any one use calculators while on the floor ? do you remember all the adverse reactions to all the medications that you give? do all nursing homes give preemployment test? do most jobs train you? what do you guys encounter at work daily as for as nursing skills that maybe i should brush up on? i just feel really unsure right now and sad because i dont what to expect. i really appreciate you all for reading such a long post thank you.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I use calculators because I also have math anxiety, but it never came up during interviews. In fact, I had been allowed to use a calculator during my interview/calculations test. I think it basically sucks when they don't allow you to use one, to be honest.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

I never worked at LTC and they gave a calculation test for preemployment. I am kinda shocked that they would not let you use a calculator. Even at the hospital, they gave us 3 tries to pass the test with a calculator. Hmm, weird.:uhoh21:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
hello everyone i am a new lpn i received my license about 2 weeks ago now. i went on 1 interview and didnt get hired because i failed the preemployment medication test. i wish the guy that was interviewing me would have informed me that there was a test i would have brushed up. so when i got home that night i did a lil pharmacology review nothing big, well i should have have done something big because i went to another nursing home the following day and was given a preemployment test only this time there were med calculations questions. the lady told me i was not allowed to use a calculator:uhoh3:. i said ohhhh booooyyyy lol. i have not done med calculations with out a calculator in such a long time sad but true. in my school we were allowed to use calculators and even on the nclex your allowed to you a calculator. so i started this test and there were the common medications that you see every day but they were not asking for the common side effects that you usually see that accompany these medications. i started to freak out not to mention i was in the lobby taking the test were people were coming in and out loud music like i was in a club and a security guard smaking on fruits :nono:. so i complete the test and told the lady the administered the test to me that i dont think i did so well and if i was to work at the facility can i use a calculator. she look at me weird and said no you may not use a calculator on the floor because you should know the basics. i said oh ok thank you very much, she said we will grade the test and give you a call inwhich i doubt very much. so this whole weekend i have been studying and having alot of anxiety because this whole ordeal makes question how many other things have i forgotten since being out of school. so my questions are does any one use calculators while on the floor ? do you remember all the adverse reactions to all the medications that you give? do all nursing homes give preemployment test? do most jobs train you? what do you guys encounter at work daily as for as nursing skills that maybe i should brush up on? i just feel really unsure right now and sad because i dont what to expect. i really appreciate you all for reading such a long post thank you.

all places i have applied have given pre-employment tests, and jobs should train you, but sometimes, sadly, it is not adequate. some nursing homes have two days orientation, even for new grads. i work in a hospital and had 6 weeks orientation to the floors as a new grad and then, another say month in the clinic i work in-it may have been long enough, but i don't think i was trained properly at times. i don't remember each and every side effect per se, but the main ones stand out in my brain. what i do is if i have a question, i use the computer at work or a prescription digest that was made for nurse practitioners that has a nice summary if i am in a pinch. i think that life experience teaches you side effects in the sense that when situations come up, i am told about it and then, i remember those for life. sometimes, patients may report symptoms that somehow do not relate to the disease process, but when i look up the meds, those are side effects.

i do carry a calculator with me to work, but honestly, i have probably used it like twice and i've been an lpn for close to 3 years. it depends on where you work; i heard that people who work in pediatrics inpatient units use it, and several other in patient specialties.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

Does your cell phone not have a calculator? (sometimes it's better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission) You're taking the test in the lobby, right? Slip a small drug reference into your pocket. It's not cheating, it's being prepared. Dr.s carry an electronic pdr.

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Specializes in Peds, Neuro, Psych,Home Health, Telemetr.

i have actually never used a calculator and i've been a nurse for over twnety years, there are sum things you should know!!!

The many times i have tested over the years NO one allowed the use of a calculator. I also would be concerned if hiring you. You have to know the basics . Try a refresher math course at least for drip rates and conversions! Don't stress about it ,you'll get the hang of it!:nono::nurse:

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