PSB Test

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I am going to take the PSB nursing test soon and would like to know if there is any nursing books or study guides that would be a big help to prepare for this test.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Are you referring to PBDS (Performance Based Development System)? If so, I am sure you can Google and find a lot of information.

There are no PBDS "prep" materials because it is intended to identify areas that need further development so that these areas can be incorporated into your orientation. If you artificially inflate the results, you would be cheating yourself out of those development opportunities. Your assessment will be reviewed and rated by actual human beings - not an immediate computer-generated result. They will take into account your own background, so experienced nurses are expected to have more expertise than a new grad.

PBDS is a multi-part online assessment that is customized for you based upon your own background and the area in which you will be working. It can take up to 5 hours, depending upon your own abilities and the components that are included. It is ENTIRELY free text... no True/False, matching, multiple choice, etc. The most important part consists of a series of 3-5 minute clinical videos. You watch the video, then fill information about:

* What is the patient's problem?

* What are you going to do? Goal is to keep the patient safe by "managing" the situation. You type in all the stuff you would do - be sure to include details. For instance, if you are going to call the physician, be sure to include what you would tell her.

* Why are you doing those interventions?

* Which interventions should be done first? (prioritization)

Relax, follow the directions & focus on what you're doing. You'll be fine.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

PSB is an entrance exam meant to measure aptitude for health care as a career. It helps schools weed through applicants to those most suitable for acceptance into the program. Theoretically it measures the likelihood of successfully completing the program on a scholastic level.

In my experience the PSB was not a difficult test. It tested spelling, grammar, reading comprehension, earth sciences, math and critical thinking aptitude. I didn't study and maxed it out. If you have done well in the above subjects you will be fine. It is very general. If you do an Internet search on PSB Practice Questions you will find all sorts of hits that will help you know what to expect and some study guides for purchase if you are worried. Good luck!

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