OB - PBDS

I'm sorry - what is the question?

PBDS is an assessment, not a test. There is no passing score... it was designed to assess your knowledge and ability so that orientation/training can be customized for you. If the organization uses it correctly it will mean that they will focus your training and development on improving any skill 'gaps' you have rather than repeating things you already know.

PBDS responses are evaluated by human beings who read what you have written and compare it to pre-determined standards - as opposed to multiple choice questions with automatic "right versus wrong" . Soooo - the key to success it to write down enough to let the (human) rater know what you understand. Be sure to include all the details such as exactly what you would monitor, what you will tell the physician, etc.

Make sure you know the underlying pathophysiology, including S&S associated with each of the patient problems on the list and your organization's standards of care for each diagnosis. You will have to watch brief videos and identify the main problem that is shown in the patient scenario. Then you will need to list what you are going to do about it, explain why you are doing them, and indicate what interventions should be done first - they don't have to be in sequential order... you can just includes descriptors like "stat" or "emergency" or "First".. to indicate your priorities.

HouTx - just a slight correction here: You are right that the PBDS was designed as an evaluation tool for orienting/educating nurses. It is generally used that way for permanent hires.

However for contract nurses (travelers) it is frequently used as a pass/fail test and if a certain level is not obtained the traveler is immediately terminated from the contract (even after driving across the country).

Scoring is done in one of two ways - either by the PBDS company (and this depends heavily on using the "correct" words the program looks for) or "in house" at the facility, which can be highly subjective.

I've taken the OB PBDS 3 times as a traveler, passed each time, but found the possibility of termination of contract so stressful that I have decided never to take a contract requiring this again unless it is in my home state.

I am a new travel nurse with 4 years experience in Med/Surg and Telemetry. I took the PBDS ICU version test yesterday. Before I started taking it, I saw things on some handouts I was given that I have never worked with or needed to know about. the position Im applying for is PCU and is basically post op bariatric patients. I told the testing proctor that I have not worked in ICU ever and that I am not going to be working in ICU. She said, not to worry- they would take that into consideration. I should have left right then and called my recruiter. I believe I should have received the Med/surg test, not ICU. How did they expect me to pass an ICU exam when I never worked there? I had to guess at about 4 questions and give information I wasn't even sure that was correct. I think it is wrong it was done this way and I am wanting some advice. I am thinking about calling the hospital and discussing this with someone to see if I can take the Med/surg exam. Does that make sense? Because it does to me. I shouldn't have to be considered incompetent just because I haven't worked in a particular area before. when I had the interview with the floor manager, there was no mention that their PCU is anything like an ICU. She said they are post op patients. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hello there,

For Dawn Vylet or anyone that has taken the OB PBDS... could you please let us know if the topics you mentioned were on the actual PBDS test? if not do you remember which were different?

Amnioitis

Failure to Progress

Fetal Demise

Fetal Distress

Hyperactive Labor

Hypotension - secondary to Anesthesia

Magnesium Sulfate Toxicity

PIH

Placenta Previa

Precipitous Labor

Premature Labor

Prolapsed Cord

PROM

I have to take it in a couple weeks and would love to know which topics/scenarios to look out for. Thank you:)