Pharm test for new hires?!

CashewLPN, LPN · Aug 25, 2003

hiyas!

Actually, I've gotten a pharmacology 'test' before hire to a nursing home/Rehab center, and during my orientation period in the hospital...

What kind of hospitals give them... I'd imagine, most do... if anything, to get a grasp on if they need to give you extra attention re: common meds before you hit the floor

How to study for them? Well... it depends on what type of facility you'd be entering into.... Geriatric Psych is very different from maternity with meds, as well as Rehab, and med-surg, and nuero and ortho... and... peds...

Figure, what type of job will you be doing... lets say, LTC Residents... perhaps, you'll need to remember, Colace, Digoxin, Senna, Cardizem, Haldol, Risperidal... maybe some Geodon and Sular... et al.. see-- study what would be used in the situation you'd be working in...

and then... use common sense....

I remember a question where they said something to the effect in the first line... "Med x comes in 1mg tabs" remember.... if the amount of meds seems like ALOT... its probably not right...

I hope this is a bit of help...

-=Barbara

Ted · Aug 25, 2003

I know both hospitals I've worked at (one in the Albany, New York area and the other one in MA) had medication modules to read with an associated test which was part of the whole orientation process. If anyone didn't pass the test, I think there was remedial education to help get the nurse "up to speed".

Seems like pharm tests of some kind are part of the orientation process for most hospitals.

Ted

nowplayingEDRN · Aug 25, 2003

I know that when you apply and are being hired by an agency they have medication tests. It is solely dependant on what you are being hired for...mine being ICU/CCU the drugs were specific to critical care. I would say that you should study based on what position you are being hired for....these tests are usually multiple choice and like Ted said....there is help to get you up to speed if you don't pass the first time around. Good luck.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Aug 26, 2003

Many places do either a pharm or a medication administration test for new hires or agency.

It generally is not very difficult.

nowplayingEDRN · Aug 30, 2003

Well, you know how it is.....we tend to, as humans go....get worked up over the trivial things and in the end realize it wasn't as bad as we anticipated :)

Audreyfay · Aug 30, 2003

Every job I've ever had I had to take a medication test in order to be hired for a staff nursing position. Some places give it to you when you go and fill in the application. The one I usually took was a version of the ANA's. I never studied and always passed. But, I agree, it was nerve-wracking.

nowplayingEDRN · Aug 31, 2003

Ya know I do believe you are right now that I think of it.....I have always taken one, either when I filled out the application, when I went for the interview or shortly after being hired. Anyway you slice it....it gets to your nerves.

clefron · Jul 16, 2007

please if any one has done the pharm test at new york presby please give me like a sample question they might ask