what the HECK is PBDS?

Specialties Travel

Published

i have seen it mentioned a few times. i have been an RN for 14 years and have NO CLUE! i am not a traveler so maybe it is a travel term?

So, I foolishly took an assignment that requred pbds testing. I had heard all the horror stories but figured "hey, I'm smart, I passed nursing school and the NCLEX, I've been a nurse for 4 years and this is my third travel assignment, how bad can it possibly be?" I studied, even did some practice scenarios...

Yep. I failed. I drove all the way from MI to NC for this assignment. :o

At least my agency has been nice about it. I can stay here in the condo they set up for me until I can get another assignment- hopefully in a couple of days. There's nothing else in NC that doesn't require pbds now, so I'm being submitted to hospitals in SC and MD (both walk-through license states)

I know I'll never accept an assignment at a hospital that requires pbds again.

Specializes in ICU/CCU/Oncology/CSU/Managed Care/ Case Management.

Wow I have heard about those tests...I heard they are really hard. What's so difficult about them. I will make sure I ask for a non pbds testing facility. I wonder if Kaiser in California uses the PBDS???

I was offered a position that requires PBDS... I've been debating weather to accept the position or not .

Thanks for sharing I think I'll pass and not take the assignment.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, Rehab, ACU-Telemetry.

If you want to find out what hospitals are doing the PBDS testing and more information about it, do this:

go to pantravelers.org

You have to register first, but it's free. After you register. on the left -hand side you will see a link that says: resources; once you click on this, you can either click on the link that says PBDS info, or the other link that will give you all of the states that test and the hospitals.

Hope this helps.

Kathy

:redpinkhe:innerconf

Thanks,

I've been investigating this test and can't see how it measures knowledge. Maybe if all travelers refuse assignments with pbds the hospitals will stop using it. I've heard a lot of hospitals already have.

Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma.
Wow I have heard about those tests...I heard they are really hard. What's so difficult about them. I will make sure I ask for a non pbds testing facility. I wonder if Kaiser in California uses the PBDS???

Kaiser does NOT use PBDS

please share the nc hospital name, thanks, i worked at craven, no pbs but it was early last year

The hospital was Craven in New Bern, NC.

But....

I already have another contract!:w00t: This has got to be the fastest turn around EVER. I'll be working at Civista hospital in La Plata, Maryland.

So much for going back to Craven. I hate to be cynical but I have heard others here in Az mentio they could not believe they "failed" PBDS, only to hear rumors of excess travelers on board. Contracts are frequently signed in anticipation of needs - if the needs do not remain the hospital has an out if they control the PBDS scoring. It is no a pure objective scoring with absoulute right/wrong answers. If the scoring is contracted out you remove the bias.

In any case my approach is simple, I will only accept contracts with no PBDS or if they wish I will take it at thier expense at a local facility before signing the contract. It is absurd to move a traveler with the possibility hanging in the air of not being able to start work as agreed.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, Ortho.

Hi..I just wanted to add my two cents about the PBSD test. I ALWAYS ask the recruiter if the hospital requires the test. I've never taken it and never will, even though I've had several recruiters tell me that practically all hospitals will require it in the next few years. I personally can't see that happening if we all stand together on this and just refuse to take it. I find it insulting after passing the boards, working 15+ years with great references and reviews. I don't care if it's just a matter of reciting my ABC's...I won't take it. I've known travelers who have moved into their housing after driving cross country and then being stuck without a job. Sorry for the lost post, but this issue really gets under my skin!

Suzy

Specializes in ER, Occupational.

I have to agree with all ya'll. PBDS stinks. I had to take it about 2 weeks after I graduated, and didn't really know what it was all about at the time. I completely agree that it's insulting. Even as a new grad, I found it offensive. Plus, I do not feel that it actually measures competency or knowledge. The way the questions are asked can be misleading, too. I actually passed it, but hated every minute of it. I have been considering getting into traveling, and I do not plan to take it again. Do you think they would make someone take it again who has already passed it? Would they make you take it again at each new facility?

I took PBDS at Pitt in Greenville, NC, summer of 2006 and passed, but I think a couple of nurses in my group failed it. My biggest complaint was how it was handled...we were told we'd know first thing next morning and it was well along in the afternoon before anyone found out. It's a very poor assessment, IMO.

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