JD1106

I am not judging a program about whether or not they learn strips; however, I would expect that a nursing student at least has looked at a normal rhythm strip. This example was simply to illustrate that something that may be expected in all nursing programs - especially a bachelor's - is not necessarily so. I did not try to offend anyone with my comments. I simply feel strongly that a diploma or ADN program should not be deemed so inferior to a BSN.

I hold a BA, MA and a JD, but my nursing degree - which is my most recent degree - is an ADN. I feel that I received a great nursing education and I was shocked to find out that the BSNs in my orientation class NEVER did rhythm strips in school. We spent a good portion of our final semester reading different strips. So, are those BSNs really any better than me and my fellow ADNs? And not for nothing, but my mom has a nursing diploma and she can run circles around any nurse. Those who have a BSN have definitely made quite an accomplishment - and I think it is great to encourage further education - but to mandate a BSN would be a shame.

Hi, I work in CT and my hospital required me to take a PBDS exam. Though I work on a geri-psych floor my exam was not psych based, but more of a med-surg competency. I would assume your exam may be similar in style, though. Basically, we had to watch videos of about 11 scenarios and try to determine what the medical diagnosis of the patient was and then write down what your nursing interventions would be. The next part of the exam was all about IV troubleshooting. We had pictures to look at and we had to determine the problem - infiltration; phlebitis; etc - and again write down the appropriate nursing interventions. There were also a few written scenarios presented. Another section examined how you would react to certain statements or requests from patients as well as other staff members. The final section had to do with prioritizing. In this section you are given a request and you must decide whether this is something that needs to be done within the hour, can be put off to a later time, but during your shift, or can it get passed to the next shift. I hope that helps!

You're welcome, Caratzas66 - Good luck!

If you know that you would like to do psych and are worried about getting med-surg experience, then you may want to consider starting in geri-psych. I am a new RN as well and chose geri-psych b/c I knew that I would be dealing with medical issues in that population. My orientation involves much of the same classes as the med-surg nurse - I have a skills lab working with IV pumps, EKGs, and feeding tubes and we had a med-surg competency exam that we were required to take. I will also be taking a course my third week of orientation to practice starting IVs and drawing blood, etc. Another new psych RN-orientee working with children is NOT doing all of the med-surg classes, such as the IV class, that I am. Good luck in whatever path you choose!

Hi, I work as an RN in Hartford and currently live in Windsor. I just moved here about two weeks ago from Massachusetts.

I had only 75 questions and I cried for the two days that I had to wait to get my results b/c I was certain that I failed. I had two questions that were so easy that as soon as I submitted my answer I just wanted to kick myself! But guess what...I passed! So, try to relax - I bet you did just fine.

I finished this morning with 75 questions and I am not feeling too good either, but I think it's rare for anyone to walk out of the test feeling good. There were a lot of medication teaching questions and I had at least 5 SATAs in a row, plus about four more thrown in later. I've heard that results are even posted on Sundays - true??