Skills assessment torture.

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... well not really, but it felt like that. Today I had skills assessment, would have thought it would be a breeze, considering I did all this last yr.

Got to the labs at 3pm, panicked b/c I was running late, didn't matter once I got there, Monday seemed to have been a popular day for everyone to come in for assessments. Was quite nervous, and it didn't help much when 2 other girls were said how scary ******* (asterisks for privacy) is when it comes to skills assessments and one student failed vital signs assessment. Was assessed on vital signs and handwashing. Thought it would be the whole works - physical assessment, hygiene, mouth care, pain and sleep assessment, obtaining and recording a h'th history, nutritional assessment and assisting with eating and drinking.

Fist question what do you do before starting, to which I replied "tell the patient what you are doing ..." prompted for the others "make sure patient hasn't had anything to eat, drink, smoke or exercised in the last 1/2hr".

Took the temp 36.4C, ... asked if this is what I'd expect for someone of that age (roughly 18) thought for a moment and said "no, I mean yes", then got asked what the normal range for temp is, said 36C-38C (my problem is I STILL don't seem to trust what measurements I get), so moved onto respirations and PR (which took 2 minutes - I wanted to make sure RR and PR were accurate so counted for 60 secs. Stuffed up the BP - did the preliminary palpatory systolic determination - 120, moved on to auscultating the brachial artery ... wouldn't you know it, my peer has the faintest pulse .. barely audible, pumped the cuff to 150 for good measure ended up getting 110/65, lecturer got 120/80. But ... I was forgiven, she said there was an auscultatory gap, and that 65 I got was probably extra noises (my finger joints pop and crack quite a bit when I'm auscultating). The good thing, I was told my technique was perfect, just have to pump the cuff a little faster - which apparently will come with experience and not keep it inflated for quite as long - still, I think I was lucky to fail the assessment. Got flustered towards the end, asked me what to do after taking vital signs, correctly answered make sure the pt is comfortable and had to be prompted on washing hands and clearing everything up :uhoh3:

Anyway, I get to go back for more tomorrow ... this time it will bedmaking:D ............................................... so ..... how was you day!?!? :uhoh21: :D:p

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hey there!

im a nursing student from Aus, we just had our first skills assessment (just the other day.) Boy was I nervous!! We were being tested on BSL, BP, Entric Feeding and Simple dressings. We only had to demonstrate one of the skills but were not told what we were going to get so therefore needed to study for all. I ended up getting BSL (releativley easy compared to enteral feeding)... our lecturers stressed to us to always remember the 5 rights of the Pt when being assessed.

1. Gain consent

2. Ensure Privacy

3. Ensure Handwashing

4. Explain procedure

5. and gather equipment..

was so nervous and totally forgot about the gauze once I had pricked my friend's (pretend pt) finger so had to apologize and quickly go and grab the gauze whilst he bleed...haha i was just thinking "my god, what a dope!" oh wells did pass and ended up doing quite ok in the end.

Good luck in your test, would love to hear what your exams are like and how you go..

peace***

Amber

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We had ours a while back and we were allowed to have cue cards for all the breathe sounds,the ROM, eyes, ears, cranial nerves etc. Except for the vitals and stuff. I was actually surprised we got to use them. I didn't bother. I believe we should know how to do it off the top of our heads. Whats the point of an assessment if not?

We're not there to assess our cue card making skills.:twocents:

Z

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our lecturers stressed to us to always remember the 5 rights of the Pt when being assessed.

1. Gain consent

2. Ensure Privacy

3. Ensure Handwashing

4. Explain procedure

5. and gather equipment..

That's good advice. Btw, our exams (for the most part) aren't too bad - we tend to get a lot of MCQs and few short answer questions. I'm dreading my nursing practice exam - 40% worth of marks MCQs, 40% case scenarios and 20% are short answer.

I don't think I'd use cue cards either; your not going to be able to use them on placements + it would be too hard trying to read off them while performing a skill.

.. Anyway, I had my bedmaking assessment today...........all I can say is...... I feel so stupid, I can barely do mitered corners - my corners were too loose. I was given until Thursday to repeat the assessment - lucky b/c I don't think our lecturer is being too lenient when it comes to repeating assessment skills.

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Just curious--doesn't anyone have "patient identication" as part of their procedure? I only ask because -- possibly I mssed it -- but I didn't read anyone writing about it.

Just curious,

NurseFirst

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Oh yep very important Pt id...

i find that very amusing that you guys get assessed on bed making abilities.

we have been shown but do not need to be assessed on it. how strange.

good luck

amber

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Just curious--doesn't anyone have "patient identication" as part of their procedure? I only ask because -- possibly I mssed it -- but I didn't read anyone writing about it.

Just curious,

NurseFirst

pt id is needed for when i give assessment.

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just curious--doesn't anyone have "patient identication" as part of their procedure? i only ask because -- possibly i mssed it -- but i didn't read anyone writing about it.

just curious,

nursefirst

it hasn't been mentioned to us in labs or lectures. this is the performance criteria for our vital signs assessments, which doesn't mention patient identication - http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/blue_eyes3/vitalsigns.jpg . i guess maybe we are expected to know this or it's assumed we'll be told this on our placements??

i find that very amusing that you guys get assessed on bed making abilities. we have been shown but do not need to be assessed on it. how strange.

:) i think our lecturer is more strict about having mitered corners nice and tight as opposed to vital signs ... :stone

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Ah, those hospital corners! Now that's a skill from Navy bootcamp I didn't expect to ever have come back to haunt me!

Hehe..I'm a pro.

If you are lucky enough to get to choose your linens, aim for the stiffer feeling ones. The more flimsy they are, the harder time you are going to have.

Make sure you firmly tuck the bottom in before trying to tuck in the folded over, top part of the fold. Grab the sheet about 12 inches from the corner of the bed and lay it up over the top, fold the bottom under the mattress, then tuck the folded part. Rats..it's just one of those things that doesn't translate well without being there to show you.

But aim for those stiff sheets.

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