New RN medication assessment

Specialties MICU

Published

Specializes in Critical Care.

So, I'm now hired and find out that the first week of orientation will include an adult and pediatric medication administration assessment where I have to pass 80%. Does anyone else have to do the same and what resources do you have available to help prepare? Should I be worried or is practicing for meds for the nclex enough? Thanks

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When I started in my first ICU, I had to take something similar. NCLEX meds are a good start, but you'll likely be asked about drips as well. Know your insulin drips, pressors, propofol and other sedatives. I remember needing to know Cardizem, Amiodarone, NTG, Nitroprusside, and strangely Dopamine. I say strangely because at that hospital we didn't use Dopamine, although at my current facility it's pretty common. Good luck, and relax. It's probably not going to be nearly as hard as you expect.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Great! so I'm not sure if this has been asked before but I will ask now. I worked hard in school, studied hard for the nclex ( thank god I passed on first try) and I thought I was basically done with the exams I've seen before for a little bit. Yes, I do understand that I decided to be in a specialtyarea where continuing education and assessments by exam are necessary but I did not know that after my first week literally that Friday, I will be greeted with an exam to see how well I am with my meds and dosage calculations.

Now, I've never been bad with dosage calc but I'm wondering what the meds portion is all about. Does any one have resources of any kind to help? I'm looking for a book or something because uynfortunately HR is not being so forth coming. It would be nice if I could prepare but I do not see any prep stuff. Would really appreciate it. Thanks

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Specializes in Psych Nursing.

I've not taken the NLN, but we had to take the BKAT on day 1 and will take it again at the end of our Internship. It was a general critical care knowledge exam. We had a separate medication calculation/administration exam as part of our GNO week.

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Welcome to nursing. Taking assessments will never end. Get over it and get used to it.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Great! so I'm not sure if this has been asked before but I will ask now. I worked hard in school, studied hard for the nclex ( thank god I passed on first try) and I thought I was basically done with the exams I've seen before for a little bit. Yes, I do understand that I decided to be in a specialtyarea where continuing education and assessments by exam are necessary but I did not know that after my first week literally that Friday, I will be greeted with an exam to see how well I am with my meds and dosage calculations.

Now, I've never been bad with dosage calc but I'm wondering what the meds portion is all about. Does any one have resources of any kind to help? I'm looking for a book or something because uynfortunately HR is not being so forth coming. It would be nice if I could prepare but I do not see any prep stuff. Would really appreciate it. Thanks

They need to assess where you stand. You will be taking med exams at every new job nro ensure yoru competency. Every facility has it's own med calculation test.

Google is your friend.......Let me google that for you

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Thanks, meandragonbrett, as I said in my post, I am very fine with assessments. My concern was if there has been anything used in the past to prepare for these assessments. Thanks for your comment. :)

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Specializes in Critical Care.

@Esme12 That was a funny link. I actually did the research before I post my comment. I know alot of people post on this site without actually committing to the work behind it. Thanks all, I think I will just do what I started to do which is to review the meds from Kaplan. I appreciate all the comments.

Also, this exam is not purely assessment because it has to be passed with a min of 80% otherwise you have to retest. Thanks again

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Thanks so much for the information. I decided to follow the Kaplan Pharm section which is alot but I have 3 weeks so I should be prepared by that time. Thanks again

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
@Esme12 That was a funny link. I actually did the research before I post my comment. I know a lot of people post on this site without actually committing to the work behind it. Thanks all, I think I will just do what I started to do which is to review the meds from Kaplan. I appreciate all the comments.

Also, this exam is not purely assessment because it has to be passed with a min of 80% otherwise you have to retest. Thanks again

I am sure you did do your research as a well prepared nurse always is....as you mentioned in your post thinking that you thought you were "basically done with the exams I've seen before for a little bit." Whether or not you are in a specialty area there will be different competency tests throughout your career and yearly competency tests for yearly accreditation from the Joint Commission. YOu will need to pass them as well to ensure your compentcy....yearly.

All new positions that you will have over your career will have you pass a medication competency exam. In a specialty are you will also be required to obtain your ACLS and re-certification every two year, CPR every year, and many facilities are requesting/requiring CCRN, every three years, as well.

You are correct......allnurses has many people that post on this site that don't commit to the work behind it. Allnurses boasts 629,622 members who have joined and has approximately 5,000 to 6,000 members online at any given time.

I use Let me google that for you, not only as a tongue in cheek reference, but as a search engine that yields good results. Those results included results that are from allnurses with tips and suggestions about this exact test as well as references to purchase a review book and test for $10.00US.

Congratulations :yeah:on passing NCLEX and on your new position in the MICU/SICU. Having worked in the critical are arena for 34 years you are entering a challenging, difficult, rewarding speciality.

I wish you the best!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Threads merged......

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