WOW! Have things changed that much or did we have our signals crossed???

whodatnurse · Jan 22, 2011

I'm not quite sure from your posting...but she may have meant that nowadays you really aren't as expected to quite the extent one was pre-technology to have all the info 'in your head'. Where I work, the units are equipped with Palm Pilots so that anyone can look up any medication-related information they would ever want to know. The person you were speaking to probably wasn't suggesting that you 'cheat', but that when they test you nowadays, the objective is to demonstrate that you know how to utilize tools to readily obtain information. In the information age where the quantity of information expands and changes at an exponential pace, this probably is more important than having it all stashed away in the mental filing cabinet.

You are a dinosaur, my dear. Welcome to the club!

casi, ASN, RN · Jan 22, 2011

Most people use their fancy phones at work to look up meds. The only meds I've seen on pre-employment tests are teh same old insulin and digoxin.

Lovely_RN, MSN · Jan 22, 2011

The ability to access information is considered to be a skill! During my interview for my current position I took out my BB to enter some contact information that one of the managers was giving me. They were impressed and one actually said: Great you can use a BB so you should be able to catch on quickly.

merlee · Jan 22, 2011

It doesn't hurt to ask the people who will be testing you if you can use your BB or other techno device during the test.

I don't think you can take the NCLEX in your home; I am sure they want to eyeball the person actually taking the exam! But you are already a nurse, so that doesn't make a difference for you!

Best wishes!

delilas · Jan 22, 2011

We can't use our phones at work, but our COWs and computers have a med reference on them that links to our drug orders - with drug reference manuals growing by hundreds of pages on a regular basis, they don't expect you to know every med out there. My last pharm test in school barely tested over specific meds - it mostly tested over categories, like cholinergics, adrenergics, CNS stimulants, etc etc.

BluegrassRN · Jan 22, 2011

I know taking your Board is so different now- I guess you can take them from home on a computer- I would imagine people use a Blackberry or even books to get some of the answers then also?? Opinions, please.

Just wanted to clarify this point. No, you absolutely do not take boards from home. They are administered at a testing site that requires several forms of ID and a fingerprint. You cannot take anything, including your phone, into the room. You are on constant video surveillance. All to reduce the opportunities to cheat.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2011

I'm still 'in shock'! Yesterday I was talking to someone who lives in my neighborhood and telling her I am going to do a refresher course and see if my back/neck can tolerate 4-8 hours a week working. I mentioned all the new drugs I will have to memorize, as there will undoubtably be a drug written drug test wherever I work. My neighbor said "just take your Blackberry with you and use that- they allow you to use it' Now maybe my age is showing, but I thought an interview is to give a potential employer a clue of how much you know by testing!? Don't they want you to do it without help anymore? Or am I a dinosauer? I guess I can look at it this way: If you use your Blackberry, then you know you are correct?? I know taking your Board is so different now- I guess you can take them from home on a computer- I would imagine people use a Blackberry or even books to get some of the answers then also?? Opinions, please.

Weird isn't it? And the new kids think they have it hard......Welcome back! The technology will be your biggest chllange......

taalyn_1, CNA · Jan 22, 2011

They told us in nursing fundamentals class, employers are looking for nurses with computer skills. But still i would think using a BB on a test for employment would be somewhat frowned upon, but who knows.

Start2 · Jan 22, 2011

I'm still 'in shock'! Yesterday I was talking to someone who lives in my neighborhood and telling her I am going to do a refresher course and see if my back/neck can tolerate 4-8 hours a week working. I mentioned all the new drugs I will have to memorize, as there will undoubtably be a drug written drug test wherever I work. My neighbor said "just take your Blackberry with you and use that- they allow you to use it' Now maybe my age is showing, but I thought an interview is to give a potential employer a clue of how much you know by testing!? Don't they want you to do it without help anymore? Or am I a dinosauer? I guess I can look at it this way: If you use your Blackberry, then you know you are correct?? I know taking your Board is so different now- I guess you can take them from home on a computer- I would imagine people use a Blackberry or even books to get some of the answers then also?? Opinions, please.

Hi:

I am an older nurse who has recently done a refresher course and had to take another NCLEX because of being out of active nursing for more than three years...The NCLEX was at a center and was very closely monitored. It is NOT given online..

Due to the economic times, I am finding it difficult to find a paying position but while I am waiting I am changing articles and nursing information that I gathered over the years into PDFs and putting them onto my EREADER... This will help me while I am working as a volunteer at a local free clinic for the homeless/uninsured population.

I do not think you could use an electronic device to pass an employment test. However, I am discovering that the ability to know your way around various technology is a plus...

Each facility will have their own parameters regarding the usage of electronic devices..

Good luck with your quest...

:redbeathe

tntrn, ASN, RN · Jan 22, 2011

I am one of the older broads, getting ready to retire....While I think computer skills are a necessary thing, I find it appalling that it has become more important that patient-care skills.

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2011

you absolutely may not use any phone or blackberry on the boards. you do not take it at home. you take it in a closed room with cameras and live proctors watching your every move. they make you empty your pockets and leave everything in a locker. on the floor, sure use it like a book. to test to get the job, maybe or maybe not. I couldn't.