Very frustrated after taking pbsd!!

[KaHigRN]

Hello! I began a new job last week and they required me to take a PBSD test. I've been an RN for 17 years and I've NEVER heard of this test before. They didn't mention it to me when hired either. I've been a newborn nursery nurse for the last 7-8 years only stepping into the NICU to help out when needed. I was made to take a NICU test. I did ok on things like sepsis, hyperbilirumenemia, RDS and apnea and bradycardia, but the other NICU stuff was WAY over my head. There were babies on vents, one with a chest tube, they threw in a 23 weeker!! Seriously?? Like they would let me TOUCH a 23 weeker!! I was told I didn't pass and would have to retake after my orientation. I explained to them before I took the test that I was NOT a NICU nurse and they said they would take that into consideration. Well, they didn't! I seriously doubt my orientation will cover vents, chest tubes and 23 weekers as this hospital doesn't have a level 3 NICU!! How am I expected to know this stuff if I've never worked the area and they aren't going to teach it to me?? Not to mention when I voiced my concerns the person I spoke to was really rude. He snapped my paper out of my hand and shouted "DUELY NOTED!! I WILL NOTIFY YOUR MANAGER OF YOUR CONCERNS. HAVE A GOOD REST OF THE DAY!"

I've never been so irritated at a hospital orientation in all my life!:mad: Why can't they just wait and see how I perform on the floor before they decide if I'm competent or not?:confused:

I REALLY am not a fan of this PBSD test. Does anyone know if there is a newborn test? I'd be more than happy to take one for my area of specialty!!

Thanks!

[Mulan]

This isn't going to help you any since it isn't nursery, but this is the type of thing on the medsurg pbds.

http://www.clinicalone.com/client_required_testing.aspx

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

I agree, this test sucks. I was given zero warning I was to take it for my current position. To make matters worse I had been out of nursing for close to 4 yrs and had to recall things I hadn't thought of in that length of time! I have no idea how I passed that thing.

Is there an education person affiliated with your hospital? I told mine I was upset with this test and had no idea it was coming. Boning up a bit would have been nice. Maybe you can touch base with yours and get this straightened out.

Good luck.

[Old.Timer]

I'm confused, were you hired to work NICU or were you hired for PP/Newborn and they gave the NICU test ?

If hired for PP/New then yes , I would be ticked off , if hired for NICU , I would have long since started boning up .

[DookieMeisterRN]

Your test results are supposed to be used as a learning experience to see where you may need additional education or clarification. There should be a time you sit down with your unit educator and talk about your results. It is not meant to be used as a pass/fail test. That your facility is using the PBDS in the incorrect way speaks volumes about someone's ignorance on this testing process and I urge you to speak with your educator or NM ASAP about your valid concerns.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

Yes, it seems like many of those tests get away from nursing and venture into medical diagnosis, but you haven't been to medical school and not licensed to diagnose, except for a nursing diagnosis.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

I just had to take a similar test for a new position. where you are given a situation and have to formulate a diagnosis, plan of care anticipate orders and your rationale for them all.

I found that I did not write out everything that I was thinking. I would say get vital signs, to me that meant getting a temp also, but I was marked down for not specifically stating I would get a temp.

The staff ed people graded my test results, but I reviewed my results with my manager where I was able to clarify what I was really thinking, to me vitals meant well all vitals. So then my manager went through my test and changed the score to reflect the disscussion.

They should allow you to disscuss the results. The test that I took was related to acute pediatric situations and I was hired for LTC pediatrics so a lot of the senarios they gave I will not have, but their rationale was they wanted to see how I could deal with acute sistuations.

Where you given the opportunity to review your test and clarify your answers and find out what they were looking for?

Do they have a medical libraray or access to online medical journals so you can look for the answers?

[battersa]

Hi All!

I have to take the NICU PBDS test tomorrow morning for a travel position, and was wondering if anyone who has taken it could give me some tips/topics they were tested on and need to review! Any help would be much appreciated!!!

Thank you!!

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I suggest that nurses, in particular trael nurses simply refuse to take it and not accept any contracts that require it. Many travels I know are already doing so. If we all refuse then they will hae to stop unfairly messing with people's lives with PBDS.