[zoobyli]

Amazingly enough my school has and 85% for the HESI, meaning you have to get an 85% or an 850 to pass on the exit HESI. I got a 736 the first time and 957 the second, and believe me I was second guessing myself the whole time. I wish we had had only get a 65% or a 70% on the exit HESI, everyone would have passed the first time. There is another school near mine that they have to get a 90% on the exit HESI.

[2btmanrn]

Can the moderator or anyone in this forum with the knowledge to transfer this thread to the nursing student forum?

I think it will receive more input there.

[jjjoy]

Originally Posted by 2btmanrn

the 67 percent is considered the probability score. 67% chance that you will pass NCLEX the first time you take it. The score also can be considered out of all associate degree nursing program who have taken the same exact test you are at 67%.

Thanks for explaining what the score means.

How can you enforce an exam, withold their diplomas, based on a probability score that these outside companies uses? If the students didn't pass the outside party exit exam, only states a true reflection on the nursing program itself. This type of deceptive practice should be exposed more.

I agree. The whole idea of the exit exams is to keep schools from looking bad for graduating student who can't pass the NCLEX. Schools shouldn't be graduating THAT many students who can't pass the NCLEX. Either the schools aren't doing a good enough job in their training or the NCLEX isn't a good measure of the students' preparedness to be nurses. My guess is that it's BOTH.

Schools cut back on teaching REAL-WORLD nursing skills because that won't help students pass the NCLEX. It doesn't matter how well prepared their students are to be nurses, if they don't pass the NCLEX, they can't get their license.

Theoretically, the ability to pass the NCLEX indicates a minimum competency or knowledge base to be licensed. Personally, I don't think the NCLEX (at least not the one I took some years back) measures much more than one's ability to learn how to do well on NCLEX-style test questions.

[richardjboro1]

Our school also requires an 85% on the HESI both junior and senior year. I think it's sad the number of supposed "teachers" who have no idea about how to teach, even if they are wonderful clinically. Throwing a powerpoint on the board and reading it to me is NOT teaching!!!

Richard

[CHATSDALE]

when they first started the nursing student the first year or two were horrible with a passing rate of about 15%
they came in made so hard choices and developed a program sthat was tough, many students who started the program did not finish but those who did were better prepared and the hospitals did not have to start training from scratch

[MAISY, RN-ER]

Let's face it, the HESI is for the school not the student. They just want to have good NCLEX rates!

I didn't take HESI and neither did my classmates. It's ridiculous! If NCLEX is the licensing test...SO BE IT!

I was an A student, who also has skills. IMHO book learning and memorization does not necessarily a good nurse make.

Maisy

[Perpetual Student]

Using the HESI and related tests to flunk students at the last minute to increase the NCLEX pass rate indicates that there are major problems with the program PRIOR to the final term. I guess it's a lot cheaper and easier to flunk folks out than to cut out crappy instructors, improve curriculum, and assist students in becoming successful nurses.

If students are truly unable to become safe, competent, professional nurses they should be failed long before the final term. I imagine the schools make more money by stringing students along until after they've paid for the whole program, though. Don't get me wrong, I'm a staunch advocate of rigorous educational requirements, but I believe they should be in place throughout a program--and prior to entry.

[lcprnc]

Originally Posted by alyx

Wow...at my school here in Minnesota...you have to have 80% to pass...no exceptions. I agree with earlier statements..those students need to study harder and LEARN...who of us would want any of them to care for any of our loved ones with grades like that? This is way too tricky of a profession to not KNOW what you're doing and why. Just MHO.

Alyx,
I'm curious, what is your school's NCLEX passing rate? I also wonder if these (final) tests are all the same for all schools and who actually develops them? I have heard of HESI and ATI but don't really know what they stand for. I graduated in 1981 from a community college and didn't have to take such tests. I just went ahead and took NCLEX and (barely) passed the 5 exams back then. For those "seasoned" nurses, would you say that NCLEX is a lot harder to pass these days?
Thank you.
LCPRNC

[RN2BNY]

There is truth in clarity. Many of the postings are well intended but the article was not clear on details.
First off there is no mention that Seton Hall University - College of Nursing - student’s pass rate on the first attempt is dead last when compared to other BSN programs; as low as 61%. Because of this the College of Nursing has been placed on and off probation by the NJ Board of Nursing several times since at least 1994. This places pressure on the nursing program since their accreditation is now threatened. This should force the program to take a closer look at how they teach and prepare their students for future exams, so instead of taking accountability in modifying their curriculum, the school places the pressure on the student’s to do better. Unfortunately, this is an tactic that is used by many educational institutions who do not have an immediate measurable plan. In this story the dean should not try to pass the buck by blaming what should be an administrative directive onto its professors; shame on you dean for this is reflects a lack of leadership. Furthermore, since the schools abysmal performance has been evident for several years, why were the score recently increased and not done immediately after the schools first probation period back in 2004?
Second, of the 132 students quoted as graduating does not take into account that this number is made up of 3 separate graduating classes, which consist of: Summer 2007, Fall 2007 & Sping 2008. In addition, this number is made up of different programs that includes: BSN (undergraduates), MSN (Graduates) and PhD students.
Third, out of majority that passed the comprehensive exit exam in the year prior to Spring 2008, had to do so with a 64% composite score on the exam. This score is a separate percentage from the actual class grading system. Most of the students who scored from 64% to 74% on the exit exam received A’s & B’s in their course grade. Additionally, only about 11 of approximately 58 students who took the first exam on April 2, passed. On the second try, about 7 passed and on this past third attempt only 3 passed. This should speak volumes on how the students are being taught from day one in the classroom. Seton Hall, College of Nursing, does have a great program with great professors, but not everyone who teaches knows how to teach, which takes a very special person and skills. The program is an aggressive one, but then again most nursing programs are. The big picture to this story is simple: Seton Hall outlined the required parameters for successful completion of the course and for graduation. Now that the students have successfully completed the requirements, the College of Nursing, should deliver on their promise and let the students graduate and sit for their boards. After all, a promise is a promise and the students earned it.

The reader should also note that Seton Hall has also been beat out by diploma schools and ASN programs in New Jersey state when it comes to their NCLEX pass rates. Seton Hall's college of Nursing should place their focus on improving their cirriculum starting with their next semester and hire better faculty who really know the art of teaching. Many nursing professor's at Seton Hall seem to enjoy intimidating their students while being unapproachable to student questions and concerns. For many office hours is are done only because it is a school's policy but not because the professor herself is receptive to student's academic well-being. Seton Hall is a very expensive university and students should be supportted by their professors...it is part of building a student's confidence while guiding him/her to success. Come on college of nursing, get it together. Just like customer service... student's come first - it should be your highest priority.

This is a response to the article, by another writer, from the Star Ledger's website, which I thought had some interesting points to make:

The problem is very simple. The solution is even simpler. Teachers do not teach!!! Many of the professors do not know their own craft. Many of the professors could not pass the (ATI) assessment test! Even fewer could pass the NCLEX (State Board Exam). The colleges and universities are failing miserably at educating and preparing students to be professional registered nurses.
Instead of the schools admitting their role in creating and perpetuating the real problem and fix it. They blame the victim. The role of the assessment test is abused. The results of the assessment test are really pointing out the inadequacies of the program and the students. The students are inadequately prepared to pass the NCLEX because the education they received was inadequate. How does a senior with less than a month to graduate from the college not graduate after passing all of her classes?
The schools are only protecting their investment. There is too much money to lose. The schools are only concerned about the nursing program and the amount of money it generates.
The assessment tests are a means hiding the truth. They find the students who are really inadequately prepared and deny them access to the STATE BOARD EXAM. If too many students fail the NCLEX exam the school is placed on probation and may lose their accreditation.
If the only students that can pass the exam are allowed to sit for it, the school can BRAG about their high pass rate. No one looks at the attrition rate (how many students were denied access to the exam).
The results of the individual assessment test allow the schools to conduct a witch hunt and punish the student who failed. This way the school does not have to admit that the student was inadequately prepared, thus preventing the charade from being exposed!

[RN2BNY]

I have to correct 2 things that I mentioned in my first posting:
1. Seton Hall has been on and off probation by the NJ Board of Nursing since 2004 and not 1994.
2. Seton Hall University - College of Nursing - student’s pass rate on the first attempt is dead last when compared to other BSN programs in the State of NJ only and not BSN programs in general.