A round of applause to everyone who completed the test engine survey – we received 115 responses!  Here is a brief synopsis of the enhancements for the new test engine that will practically eliminate “started/not completed” results:

• Caregivers ability to re-enter exams
• Limited Number of Re-Entry Attempts
• Linear Progression through Exams
• Better Tracking via Time Stamping
• No Software Downloads Needed

For an in-depth refresher on all of these topics, check out the article "Test Engine Survey – Read All About It!"

So, without further adieu, I present the results from our survey regarding development of a new test engine. 

Drum roll please……..

89% Yes, make the changes – 6% No, keep it the same – 5% Indifferent

93% Yes! – 7% No

94% Yes! – 6% No

With the overwhelming positive response we have begun the development phase of our new test engine.  However, we took into consideration the additional requests mentioned and made two appeasing modifications!

Limit re-entry attempts to 2 (instead of 3)

Some clients felt that 3 re-entry attempts were too many.  We agree.  Thus, caregivers will be given 2 additional times to login.  But remember that even if they choose to log off in the attempts to search for an answer, they will only have access to the last question they were working on!  Caregivers will not be able to return to any previously answered questions, or look at upcoming questions.

Caregiver’s Running Out of Time

A few clients mentioned the linear format of the exam causing caregivers to rush through the exam.  For this reason we are programming in a feature to allow each exam to have a unique amount of time for completion.

Currently, all of our exams allow 1 minute per question.  However, moving forward we will be able to allocate more time to exams requiring critical thinking (i.e. RN Pharmacology) while others keep the typical 1 minute per question (i.e. Color Vision Exam).

Wrap-Up

Keep a look out for more communication about the test engine’s progress in the future.  I am pleased to say that we have clients lined up for the test engine’s beta testing phase – but if you would like to be added to the list, please contact Meredith @ 336-802-1070 ext 122.

Happy testing!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our first Customer Service feedback survey.  Some very interesting ideas were gleaned from your responses.  One of the hot topics was the elimination of caregivers receiving “Started/Not Completed” results.

Current Test Engine

As you are aware, when a caregiver looses internet connection, backs out of an exam, or closes the exam window they receive a “Started/Not Completed.”  All of their work put into the exam is erased and cannot be retrieved by the server.  In these instances a new exam must be sent out.

We heard your feedback on this process and have come up with ways to enhance NurseTesting’s test engine to make it more user-friendly.

Please note that the client survey deadline has already passed.

Caregivers Ability to Re-enter Exams

If a caregiver gets kicked out of an exam, they will be able to log back in to NurseTesting and start the exam where the left off.  This should drastically reduce, if not eliminate, the number of “Started/Not Completed” exams.

To make this possible, and minimize the ability to view questions from the exam and then log off the exam to search for the answers, caregivers will move linearly through the exam.  They are locked on question 1 until they answer it. Once answered, they move to Q 2, and are locked on question 2, etc. They cannot go back, only forward. Once they answer a question, they will not see the question again.

Should a caregiver lose internet connection or have an emergency to deal with at home or in the office, they will be able to re-enter the exam.  Upon re-entry, they will start the exam at the first unanswered question with only the balance of their time remaining.

Limit Re-Entry Attempts

Caregivers will only be allowed to re-enter exams 3 times.  On the last time allowed, the test warns them that they can’t re-open it again. In the event that the caregiver is trying to look at a question, do research, and then come back it will only work 3 times before they have to contact you to explain the situation.

Time Stamping Responses for Better Tracking

This new format will allow better tracking of a caregiver’s movement through the exam.  A time stamp will be recorded for each answered question and the cumulative time taken to complete the exam.  So, if you suspect someone of trying to ‘beat the system’ you will have back-end analytics to make a judgment call.

Enhanced tracking on the test is only available in this new format where the caregivers move linearly through the exam and see each question once.  This also creates a cleaner interface for the caregiver.  There will only be one button on the test to click.  Caregivers will select an answer and click "Submit Answer."

No Adobe Flash Player Needed

The new test engine will open the exam within the NurseTesting system.  This means pop-ups will not need to be allowed and Adobe Flash Player will no longer be needed! Caregivers typically do not feel comfortable, or have access, to download programs on their computers.  So, this will make the testing experience more user-friendly minimizing adverse effects of testing anxiety on overall results.

Also, opening the exams within the NurseTesting system will make the load virtually instantaneous!

These are just the tip of the iceberg!  However, we are soliciting your ideas, thoughts, questions, and concerns before we make any updates to the test engine.

We have decided to move forward in the development of the new test engine based on the overwhelming positive response from clients.  Thanks to all who voiced their opinions and helped us tweak the anticipated test engine.

****  For more detailed information on the survey results, check out the blog posting
And, the Survey Says….. ****

Meredith Juengel
Director of Relationship Management
Twitter: @amistaff

NurseTesting would like to congratulate their new client, Wahiawa General Hospital, for winning the 50 points raffle. Wahiawa General took advantage of NurseTesting’s Fall Special!

We appreciate all of our new clients’ interest in the raffle and look forward to working with you all as we provide the validated prescreening assessment tools for your organizations!

Interested in a refresher course?

Recently hired new employees?

Eager to learn about the newest upgrades?

Well, if the answer to any of these questions is "Yes," then tune in to one of our client-wide trainings available every Wednesday from 11:00-12:00 EST.  There is no maximum cap on the number of trainings you and your colleagues can attend – all trainings are included in your NurseTesting package! 

During the training we hightlight the tips and tricks built in to save you time and energy – as well as all new upgrades.  With the release of our new exams, this would be a perfect time to join in on the training!  Learn first hand how to answer the questions regarding which form to send out, which exam to send in lue of previous versions, and how to remediate the information to caregivers.

For information on how to login to the training, please contact Kisha Williams at 336-802-1070 ext 115. We look forward to helping you and your colleagues utilize your NurseTesting account more efficiently!

During the 2009 Staffing Summit held in Washington, D.C. last week, Amistaff’s booth had a drawing for an iPod touch. All current clients and potential clients were eligible to enter the drawing while hanging out at our booth.

Congratulations to Jason Leverant, VP Operations from @Work Medical Services, for being the lucky recipient of the iPod touch!

Being a current client of NurseTesting, Amistaff’s nationally validated, pre-screening healthcare assessments, Leverant expressed his appreciation for the service:

It was great meeting you at the staffing summit on Tuesday! I appreciate the information that you provided me with and I’m looking forward to the new rollout for the competency exams!

I wanted to express my appreciation to you and your staff for the level of quality that you guys provide in terms of assessments. I always look to your team for guidance when any kind of clinical based questions arise that I cannot answer.

We enjoyed spending time with everyone at the Summit as we discussed the new generation of NurseTesting coming this winter. Please keep your wonderful ideas coming in as we develop the new version of the healthcare assessement software!

NurseTesting would like to congratulate their new client, DialMED, for winning the 50 points raffle. DialMED took advantage of celebrating NurseTesting’s 5-year anniversary!

We appreciate all of our new clients’ interest in the raffle and look forward to working with you all as we provide the validated prescreening assessment tools for your organizations!

With the launch of our new clinical assessments, we recognize the necessity to provide you with the ability to remediate clinicians when they don’t pass a particular assessment. In order to protect the security, validity, and reliability of our new clinical assessments, we will no longer be displaying any assessment questions on our results pages. However, we have developed a tool to assist you with the remediation process.

Each new clinical assessment will contain a Form A and Form B option. When a clinician has taken clinical assessment Form A, you will have access to their results page. The results page will display the overall applicants score as a % as well as a “Pass”/”Fail” message. This Pass / Fail message is automatically generated comparing the applicants score to the Angoff Cutoff score also displayed on the results page. This enables you to make a quick determination of whether or not the candidate passed.

If a clinician’s score does not meet the assessments unique Angoff cutoff score and they receive a “Fail”, you will have the option to click on the link contained on the results page to access our course content outline for that particular assessment. This outline can be utilized for remediation purposes only after taking a clinical assessment and is intended to guide the clinician in the overall objectives and content that will be assessed within a particular assessment. You will need to click on the link contained within the results page to access the content outline.

Once you have had the opportunity to review the content outline with the clinician and the clinician has had the opportunity to review their materials or reference tools, you can then elect to administer the clinical assessment Form B for that specialty. If the clinician does not obtain a satisfactory score on the second attempt, it’s NurseTesting’s recommendation that the clinician not be given either Form A or B for a third attempt. Since both Form A and B are accessing the same clinical content, administering either form close to the original administration may not provide accurate and valid results.

Congrats to our friends at Everest Health Care Services for winning the

NurseTesting Stimulus Raffle in May!

Keep your eyes peeled for your winnings to be arriving shortly:

• 50 Free NurseTesting Exam Points
• $25 Starbucks Gift Certificate
• 3 Additional Months Free for Your New Contract

Our customer service department looks forward to assisting you all in training your staff to maximize the effectiveness of your new NurseTesting account. Using validated competency testing will help you get the best fit for every job you fill!

That’s right!  We are proud to announce that NurseTesting Consulting Services led two more clients to receive the JC Gold Seal of Approval – Congratulations!

Medical Staffing Services in East Brunswick, NJ Integrated Healthcare Solutions in Portland, OR

This brings the total to 17 companies in just 16 months!

Achieving JC Certification distinguishes you among the “Elite” staffing organizations across the country and provides access to contracts with healthcare facilities requiring certifications.  But the benefits of becoming JC certified don’t stop there:

• Provides a framework for program structure and management
• Improves risk management and risk reduction
• Can be a tool to attract and retain quality personnel
• Strengthens community confidence in quality and safety of care, treatment, and services

Check out the location of other NTCS clients in their quest to success with JC Certification.

Why choose NurseTesting Consulting Services?

Well, if Guaranteed Joint Commission certification isn’t enough already:

• On-site consulting that caters to your organization
• Greater than 20 years experience in the healthcare staffing industry
• Nationally experienced RN executives
• Customized performance improvement tools and procedures to achieve compliance
• Survey readiness within four months of onsite consultation visit

“I wanted to express my sincere appreciation to NurseTesting Consulting Services for the exceptional service provided in helping us achieve Joint Commission certification. We were very impressed with the level of professionalism, knowledge, and responsiveness delivered to our organization during this process. Our consultant created a comfortable and engaging posture with our entire team during all communication experiences. She was very responsive and professional to all requests made by our organization.”

~ Jeff Kruse, Integrated Healthcare Solutions

“NurseTesting Consulting Services…..
• Cost of Joint Commission Certification….about $5000
• Potential cost of failing the first time and having to re-apply…another $5000
• Hiring an EXPERIENCED consultant with a 100% success rate…PRICELESS!!!”

~ Jason Leverant, VP Medical Sales, @WORK Medical Services

“PHP engaged the services of NurseTesting Consulting in order to prepare for its Joint Commission Certification. We were absolutely delighted with the level of service and attention that we received. The consultants were extremely knowledgeable of the Joint Commission requirements and provided an invaluable amount of support prior to us gaining the Joint Commission Gold Seal of approval. PHP passed the audit and did not receive any recommendations from the Joint Commission auditor on how any of our policies or procedures could be improved. I would certainly recommend NurseTesting Consulting to any healthcare staffing company considering Joint Commission certification.”

~ Chris Eales, President of Premier Healthcare Professionals

“Whenever we decided to become Joint Commission certified we knew it would be a big project. While we had every confidence that we worked hard to provide an outstanding service and ‘follow the rules’ it was still a little intimidating. NurseTesting’s consultant came in and was extremely knowledgeable and organized. She made the process manageable and it was just an overall great experience. We were well prepared to become certified which we achieved without difficulty.”

~ Carol Robison, Founder & CEO Robison Medical Resource Group

“We made it!! We are very glad we had Nurse Testing to help guide us through the process. Our consultant was very patient with our many questions and time constraints. She was extremely knowledgeable and was always prompt in her responses, which is something we greatly appreciated. I’m so impressed with the professionalism, expediency and communication that has been conducted by NurseTesting Consulting Services. As an owner I appreciate people who have the type of dedication that makes a company stand out.”

~ Jerome Daniel, President Remede Consulting Group

Contemplating JC Certification on your own

In the next 18-24 months, hospitals will do business exclusively with healthcare staffing agencies that are Joint Commission certified. Don’t let your competition jump any further ahead of you in the process. Contact Chris Carrington via the NurseTesting Consulting site or (336)802-1070 ext. 125 for more information.