« John McCain and Healthcare | Main | Change of Shift - Enterprise Edition »
March 27, 2008
The PBDS Test for Nurse Travelers
Quite a few nurse travelers have been hired throughout the New York City area to cover hiring freezes and staffing shortages. Ever since I placed my resume online, I have had calls from various travel nurse companies looking to fill a variety of positions, although I am primarily looking for an optimal NP position that will not tire me out or induce dystonia symptoms. (Lately I feel like the actor Michael J. Fox -- I want to hide and not be seen or questioned about abnormal movements or possible and current treatments.)
A requirement for travel nurses to prove their competency in their area of specialty is to take the "Performance Based Development System," otherwise known as the PBDS Exam. It consists of video scenarios of multiple clinical situations requiring you to evaluate the clinical diagnosis (are nurses allowed to diagnose? Uhmmm? I thought not…), identify it, and list actions you would take to correct the problem. (Avoiding the answer – “Call the Doctor” is a must to passing the exam.) Travel nurses cannot begin a contract assignment without passing this test.
Some of the scenarios might include:
* What would you do if a family member arrests in a semi-private room (Scream for help!)
* A doctor makes the comment “I don’t know why hospital administration won’t hire any decent nurses when there are plenty of girls out there?” (What sort of girls is he referring to?)
The test seems to focus on nursing actions used to correct a medical diagnosis. I thought we were nurses, not physicians, or is there now overlap between the two professions? When was the last time a white-coated physician gave a patient a bedpan? Anyone recall?
Whatever happened to the good ole resume and job interview format? Is this the right exam to test the competency of skills and knowledge for a nurse? I'd like to hear from others who have more experience with this.
March 27, 2008 in Beka | Permalink
Comments
All the comments above have some true reality. Bedpans, some nurses do not even chg or empty or have anything else to do with bedpans mush less empty them.NOTHING LIKE COMING INTO A PTS ROOM EATING BK LUNCH OR DINNER WITH A CONTAINER OF URINE OR FECES SITIING ON THE TRAY OR BED.. uHUMM THIS IS A OH OPS....tHESE ARE EXAMPLES which the senior nurses must stand tough about and help educate the new scared nurses coming aboard.I have been asked many times why I traval- I say, it ius all in the environemnt and ethics and morale of the facilities and its ruling hands. i do believe, I have struck upon something this time, which has enlightened my mind and relite my heart and soul when it comes to principles and possibilities of corrected conduct..when it comes to care..We shall over come all the road blocks of this testing now demanded by standing together, just doing our jobs the very best we can, feel good about ourselves, and teaching the distant souls of needed heartful learning how important this job is.If we keep positive about it all,band together,be and continue to keep alive open mind about progress in the written factors of tests demanded by the high ups not the facilities,to justify their means to an end,we shall over come and prserve the real meaning of what nursing is all about..I am on your side all the way Hurray for the new and ole nurses whom hang in there and save the nursing field ..cynthia schmer
Posted by: cynthia schmer | Jan 30, 2012 2:05:21 PM
I have just recently tsken the PDBS testing on a travel assignment. i do honestly believe that if depends on where you take it and who is reviewing it.If one sits down and looks at all of the dx which one has to know and have to put all the need to do and s/s of the dx- one would realize that as doctors do they use secondary dx to rule out such and such-then as nurses we too have the right to do the same thing with this now demanded posed testing. One knows that anyone with pvd, mi, stroke will always have a cardiac panel, cbc, h/h pt inr and ptt. So go with it and include all which is required to rule out of the following. If the s/s are more demanding of one dx than the other then put this first and rule the other with a secondary..This covers it believe me, and you will pass everytime.I am not a good test taker, but, i am a good devoted rich nurse with many years behind me. I got to the point where I really did not care at one point or the other about this hated word of PDBS-If the facilities base this on the care of the pt- instead of the real skills nurses can bring into their environment- then we have some thinking or reprogram to do. I had a young, out of school nurse with no experience sitting in front of me during this exam. She, on break told me, that she did not have a clue as what to do first, but, she could remember all the steps from the books and would not really know what they pt was experiencing.In otherwords her memory was in tact but her skills were not what they should have been in order to do the job- relying on others to know what to do just in case to help her...This is what is happening out there folks and why the older nurses are really being discrimanted against totally. I passed this god bless test w/o any real difficultly because i had good guidance and good insight when it came to situations and just how to rule out and secondary as the docs do.Just review these dx, put them together know the power points and let it fly---You will pass and you will make a world of difference to every pt you touch. You too, will teach these newbees that nursing is a lot more than just knowing facts and figures,it is the simple fact of doing it yourself- This will encourage them to stick with nursing instead of running back to school to get a desk job for the next 40 years. We need nurses out there so badly so we must teach and encourage these young willing to learn nurses
how much joy it is in being the very best nurse you can be everyday..Keep a stiff upper lip- we shall get through it- oh by the way- get out there and vote.....Cynthia schmer
Posted by: cynthia schmer | Jan 30, 2012 1:47:22 PM
Ihave been an RN for 38 years with 24 years NICU experience,i applied for a 2nd job as a back up for my other job whenever I get cancelled, so this hospital uses the PBDS test for new hires, so i took it and to my surprise i passed it,but my problem came in when I have to fill out the so called "personalized PBDS orientation Plan" i can't understand what they're asking for,plus I only have 4 shifts of unit orientation and the pts i cared for during orientation does not have what they want me to write. so i really hate it, i think it is geared for inexperienced nurses that has 6 wks to 6 mos orientation that they have plenty of time to reflect on what they're doing in the clinical settings. I thinks it's just money making for who ever designed it and to give educators something to do!!!!!!!!i wish i can retire!!!!!!
Posted by: nursejosey | Jan 17, 2012 11:52:25 PM
yup! Even respiratory has to take this test to hire on at a hospital... BS in RT... BS in biology... offered a job and now i dont want it becuase im tired of testing. simple.
Posted by: g | Jan 8, 2012 2:35:06 AM
I have traveled for over 10 years and have been asked to extend my contract at almost every facity that I have ever worked at. I have over 20 plus years experience, and am usually the nurse that someone comes and gets when something is going wrong with their patient. I took this test and failed it, I have no idea what they wanted. Can someone explain the rationale behind this test, why are we robbed of tools when we take this test like the book of lab norms and meanings I carry with me, when we take this test?
Posted by: debbie | Dec 27, 2011 5:40:56 PM
How can i get results if i have a consent for one of my nurses?212-629-7200
Posted by: Ray Morales | Dec 12, 2011 10:18:51 AM
No sour grapes here, I took the test ,pasted it and I don't believe it's any gadge of nursing skills ,btw with over 20 years of ICU experience I think I know what I'm talking about . To all the educators who think its a great, you all have need to get back to the bedside since it seems you reality check
Posted by: V Floyd | Nov 23, 2011 10:28:35 PM
I am going to take the test next week. The manager from the unit explained to me that the test doesn't mean to be fired if i dont pass. (is not a travel assignment) is only the assess areas that may need improvment. I have 4 years on nursing exp. and I feel comfortable with my nursing skills now, but I dont know if I will pass the test, i am curious to know what is the test about, and how good or bad I am doing...if I dont pass they offer remmediation for 1 day, and the option to re take the test. if the second time is also pretty bad, then The manager said that a note from the nurse preceptor of improvment will be enough. I really have nothing to loose, but gain from the experience, if the job is not what I am expecting...my plan B is waiting for me to say: "I am ready to work, when I start" actually I had a couple of offers, but I am just going for the challenge.
Posted by: erika | Nov 1, 2011 11:43:59 PM
Just wondering how many people have talked to recruiters and have been told that this test is harder for older nurses than the nurses right out of school.
Is this more likely due to the fact older nurses are more relaxed and take the obvious for granted? or is it because maybe they are slower typers?
is this away of weeding out the older nurses who get paid more for thier experiance.
The fact is the test requirements are vague and depend on independant graders.
We should stand up for our profession and refuse to take such a test.
I would love to see the day when this testing is slapped with a lawsuit bringing this test to a halt... its demeaning to the nursing profession and should be replaced with a test that adequately test our knowledge. Oh They have already did that, its called the NCLEX.
Posted by: Rch | Oct 29, 2011 1:40:18 AM
In my 20 years as an ICU nurse working primarily Level I trama hospitals, I can only comment about the PBDS in a somewhat clinical way. First it is timed. Therefore detrimental and unfair to those who do not type as well as others. Second, it does ask for the clinical RN to diagnose. Not our job nor does it reflect any nurses ability to properly care for a patient. It leaves out many critical assessment tools all nurses have at their disposal, like history, actually communicating with the patient, and auxilliary services provided at the nurses descretion. I realize that it is only criticized by those that fail and applauded by those that pass, but to use it as a tool to hire a nurse who has accepted a job with said hospital, gotten a motel or housing, turned down other positions to take this one only to fail and be sent home, is, in my book, a poor way to conduct the business of hiring nurses otherwise extremely qualified to more than handle the job. Just an opinion.
Posted by: David Bailey, RN | Oct 22, 2011 12:45:54 PM
I have been an ER nurse for 10 yrs and have takne the pbds twice. I applied for a new position and finally didn't worry to much about the test. I failed it. There is no way that this test reflects ones ability to be a good nurse. The first two times I was scared to death and I typed a book for each scenerio, the last time I put more information on like the example they gave and was just turned down for a great position. This test sucks.... it no way reflects the quality of nurse you are, They need a test for ER nurses.
Posted by: Rch | Oct 21, 2011 4:33:17 PM
My agency has not offered me any jobs that require the PBDS testing bc they are afraid I won't pass it. This year I have been traveling with them for 5 years, have been a nurse since 1994 and they tell me that the new grads do better on the test than a sesoned nurse. I have been learning the material and hope to pass it.
Posted by: Darlenr | Jun 23, 2011 5:24:06 PM
In Short, it sucks, big time!
Posted by: Carol | May 9, 2011 4:42:27 AM
PBDS is not a tool for determining a nurse's ability to take care of a patient. It is a test to demoralize a good nurse, and hamper job opportunities in the future.
Posted by: Carol | May 9, 2011 4:41:48 AM
WOW...I tested with PBDS in 1993 as a new (3yr) ER RN- starting civilian life after serving active duty (ARMY), and I must tell you I enjoyed it and the challenge it posed for me at the time. It focused my assessments skills and critical thinking. Has the testing changed that much?- I remember the scenarios weren't that hard to figure out and as long as I was able to focus on the critical and life saving assessments I did fine- did I get every thing right? No, but I at least knew what I did not know, and with limited training I became competent. As a result after orientation I was in charge and in two years promoted to a management position. I have to say PBDS had a positive impact on my career. As much as we (nurses) do not like tests- we need them. Until we have one school of education, like we have one test-NCLEX- we each enter nursing from varied backgrounds and experiences and thoughts- we need a tool to at least start with. No one tool is perfect, this one is a good one
Posted by: THAW | Apr 11, 2011 9:51:59 PM
I was just told my a travel agency that "It scares him when he knows someone needs to take this test!. What the heck does that mean. I passed a computer test for a mother-baby assignment a while back and it had ridiculous questions about mannitol and all kinds of beta blockers, etc. Nothing about vit E, vit K, hemorrhage & hemabate. What sense does any of these test mean when they don't even focus on the area that you are going to be assigned. I AGREE WITH YOU ALL....if we have been in the field for 20+ years, why are we being ask to prove that we are nurses. Every situation is different and I'll bet your Dr. Dorothy del Bueno who wrote it (just to make money) couldn't work a full 12-hour assignment on any unit.
Posted by: Dottie | Apr 8, 2011 6:47:25 PM
I'm scheduled to take this test in the morning 4/6/11, I'm very nervous after reading all the comments online of people who have taken this test and have performed poorly. I feel very unprepared! Please pray for me because I'm going to need it!
Posted by: Karen Simon | Apr 5, 2011 11:16:10 PM
does anyone know if umc in arizona uses this test? i remember taking it when i was a new grad years ago, and it sucked, but all i was told is a tele and med test but now i'm afraid there will be more, when i get there. I'm an experienced travel nurse, and had a bad experience with a different test at banner and that devastated me, made me feel inadequate.
Posted by: sarah | Mar 28, 2011 1:55:35 AM
The PBDS is not a real life test not only does it demoralize nurse who have enormouse amount of experience and knowlege but also increase in nursing shortage. The facilities who are using this test to evaluate nurses are not using it appropriatly. It is bias to each facility and surrounding. The average age of a nurse today is close to 50 and it is important for nurse to be accountable and responsible for their nursing care however evaualtion of our performance should not be based on a test called PBDS. I have banded to work for facilities who evaualate nurse in this manner and as an educator I am willing to take a stand to the pencil pushers who evaluate nurses based on paper test. I would not have those pencil pushing nurses take care of me nor my family.
Posted by: fraustrered rn | Mar 20, 2011 7:58:18 PM
But aren't we supposed to know if what the doctor is ordering is correct for this patient? I am about to take this test for the first time and am now scared to death.
Posted by: Robyn | Mar 9, 2011 11:14:47 PM
I took this test in summer of 2009. I went to work in the Dallas area for a contract as a new traveler with an agency who turned out to be a disaster. Put me in non corporate housing with the lease in my name and I didn't know that wasn't done. My contract was cancelled on day 2 cuz the manager was a travel manager and a total psycho. We argued cuz my assignment was impossible. I was told that I would be responsible for the rent for the three months. I tried to get on with the agency who did the HCA hospitals cuz they were all over the region. The north Texas region requires the PBDS test for all travelers to work and you can only take it once a year. I had taken it previously in my home city as an orientation tool and did ok. I was an experienced ICU nurse and failed the test in Dallas and was not allowed to retake. I was not allowed to work in any HCA facility in the area, which left me with no work. The Tenent hospital scheduled me everyday for 3 weeks and cancelled every shift. I was essentially unemployed all summer and my dad had to pay most of my bills. My credit score dropped 200 points cuz 3 medical bills went into collection and I had late credit card payments. It was the nightmare of my life.
Posted by: Erin | Feb 24, 2011 9:36:08 PM
I took this test in summer of 2009. I went to work in the Dallas area for a contract as a new traveler with an agency who turned out to be a disaster. Put me in non corporate housing with the lease in my name and I didn't know that wasn't done. My contract was cancelled on day 2 cuz the manager was a travel manager and a total psycho. We argued cuz my assignment was impossible. I was told that I would be responsible for the rent for the three months. I tried to get on with the agency who did the HCA hospitals cuz they were all over the region. The north Texas region requires the PBDS test for all travelers to work and you can only take it once a year. I had taken it previously in my home city as an orientation tool and did ok. I was an experienced ICU nurse and failed the test in Dallas and was not allowed to retake. I was not allowed to work in any HCA facility in the area, which left me with no work. The Tenent hospital scheduled me everyday for 3 weeks and cancelled every shift. I was essentially unemployed all summer and my dad had to pay most of my bills. My credit score dropped 200 points cuz 3 medical bills went into collection and I had late credit card payments. It was the nightmare of my life.
Posted by: Erin | Feb 24, 2011 9:36:06 PM
also other facts like people who can't type quick, or people that is just not good to put thoughts in paper like me and the timed scenarios that's a big joke in real life you are able to talk with the patient and have more data no just stand a look at them waiting to collapse we need to seek legal guidance before they make this test something standard like nclex and even worst something you have to do it every year as part of you contract make a group sing a form anything is valid
Posted by: Fer | Feb 7, 2011 1:32:34 AM
Ok so first nclex now pbds what else they need its a serious issue but nothing is going to happen if all nurses do not stand together i mean pbds is someone creation to make money they really do not care about patient's safety is very inconsistent and may add that illegal because take us out of our scope of practice like diagnose and prescribe but the worst is that they tell you that is not a pass or fail but at the end it is because the second time they use it to fired you and that's is a BIG LIE they say about this test but again we need to stand together and find the way to get this test out of the way because do not prove our real capacity as a nurses
Posted by: Fer | Feb 7, 2011 1:27:46 AM
Unfortunately this PBDS test is not utilized appropriately among many hospitals or should I say many educators. The sole purpose of this test when it was initially comprised was to assess each RN's level of critical thinking skills upon hire and then review areas of needed improvement with the results of their test. This test was not comprised to be utilized as a tool to fire or hire a nurse. It is very unfortunate that the Nursing Educators are not educated in regards to the sole purpose and key role of PBDS testing. It can be a good tool; not a great tool and not always an objective tool but a good tool to see what areas of critical thinking skills a nurse may need and I say MAY need improvement on. It was supposed to be a tool hospital educators used to assist their nurses in growth with in their profession. Just remember; the hospitals are the ones who lose when they deny "you" a position; "you" a well renowned exceptional healthcare provider with references!!
Posted by: Shell | Feb 1, 2011 5:38:25 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
