LVN Nursing Skills Mandatory Assessment

Required Basic Skills Competency Testing

A testing date will be arranged with our qualified Fall 2012 applicants to occur sometime in May, 2012. There will be a fee associated with this testing, but the fee has not been determined yet.  We will update this web site once the fee has been set, once the testing instructor has been hired.  Additionally, we will update this Web site when the specific date has been set.  Unfortunately, due to financial restrictions, there won't be any make-ups available, should you not be able to attend on the testing day. 

Purpose: To determine clinical skills proficiency for the skills taught in NURS201, NURS221, and NURS323 (intradermal injection only). Math calculations are included in this testing.  This day is also designed to introduce the LVN to the Orem Self-Care Deficit Theory that is the curriculum framework for our school. Introduction to the nursing process and nursing care planning is included to help student's bridge to the RN role.

Procedure: Once given the approval by the SON, applicants will register for the Assessment with Extended Learning.  Prior to the Assessment, qualified applicants will receive a packet of materials to review that are the basis for the skills & math testing.   There will also be a self-study module that must be completed on the following topics: Hanging IVPB, blood transfusions, hanging IVPB, IVP meds, reconstitution of meds, Orem theory framework, and nursing process & care planning.

Testing Day Instructions:

1. The day will open with a brief practice session (90 minutes) and the opportunity to ask questions of the faculty member present before skill and math evaluations begin.  Please see the Assessment/Training day schedule below.
2. For the math test, bring a basic calculator-no PDA or smart phone devices capable of Internet connection.
3. 100% pass rate on skills testing and math testing is required to continue with admission process. 
4. The skills list you will be tested on include: 
           
   Hand Hygiene/Washing      
   Bathing a Patient (demonstrated  on  mannequin)
   Performing Oral Hygiene (demonstrated  on  mannequin)  
   Performing Oral Care for an Unconscious Patient (mannequin) 
   Making an Unoccupied Bed      
   Making an Occupied Bed      
   Moving and Positioning Clients in Bed    
   Transfer of Patients Using Proper Body Mechanics   
   Passive R.O.M.  
   Preparing a Sterile Field Using a Packaged Sterile Drape
   Donning Sterile Gloves
   Using Personal Protective Equipment
   Administering a Tube Feeding
   Assisting with the Use of a Bedpan
   Assisting with the Use of a Urinal
   Catheterizing the Female Urinary Bladder
   Catheterizing the Male Urinary Bladder
   Applying an External Condom Catheter
   Administrating a Large Volume Enema
   Administrating a Small Volume Enema
   Administering a Retention Enema
   Pulse Oximeter
   Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal and Oropharyngeal Airway
   O2 by Nasal Cannula
   O2 by Mask
   Adding meds to IV solution
   Administering IV meds via IVPB
   Administering meds via SL
   Administering medication via metered dose inhaler
   Peripheral IV insertion
   Changing IV to SL
   Administering a blood transfusion
   Reconstitution of powdered drugs
   IV pump infusion
   IV drug calculations review
   Administering meds via NG tube
   Cleaning a wound/applying a sterile dressing
   Applying a wet to dry dressing
   Applying a wound vacuum assisted closure
   Orthopedic devices:  cane, crutches, walker
   Applying elastic bandages
   Inserting an NG tube
   Removing an NG tube
   Irrigating an NG tube
   Irrigating a urinary catheter using a closed system
   Administering continuous bladder irrigation
   Irrigating a colostomy
   Incentive Spirometer
   Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal and Oropharyngeal Airways
   Suctioning the Tracheostomy: Open System
   Providing Tracheostomy Care
   Abdominal binder

Texts used in this assessment program:  It is strongly recommended that you use these texts for your skills studying. However, you may use any text published since 2005 to study for this test. 

• Taylor, C., Lillis, C., LeMone, P., & Lynn, P. (2008). Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Nursing Care. (6th Ed). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer & Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• Lynn, P. (2008). Taylor's Clinical Nursing: Skills: a Nursing Process Approach. (2nd Ed). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer & Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• Lynn, P.  & LeBon, M. (2008). Skill Checklists to Accompany Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: a Nursing Process Approach. (2nd Ed). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer & Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• Mulholland, J. M. (2007).  The Nurse, The Math, The Meds.  St. Louis: Mosby