HESI exit help

JeepDudeRN · Sep 7, 2008

I also have to take an exit HESI in Sept. We are covering Med-Surg and OB. We will have to take it again before we graduate in December, and have to pass with a 900 in order to sit for the NCLEX. I can tell you, there is nothing on my mind more than this HESI. I feel like no matter how many questions I do, or how much I study, it isnt enough. Like you, I am doing literally hundreds of questions a week.

The class ahead of me graduated 3 months ago. Only 2 people passed the HESI with a 900 or better. The others have taken it a few times and still can not pass it, and they can not sit for the NCLEX until they do pass it with a 900 or better. It makes me sick to my stomach...lol

I too am using the latest HESI book and Saunders 3rd edition and just praying it will be enough. Seems like the HESI is contradicting to some stuff in our text books though, and some answers that I know in my heart are correct, they end up being wrong on the HESI. I dont know. I just keep plugging along...and praying, alot!

Good luck on yours...

tolerantgirl · Sep 8, 2008

Here is what I think about HESI- it is ridiculous. I have talked to friends who have passed the HESI and NCLEX, but they have all told me that nursing school (I won't name the school but it is in TEXAS) did not prepare them for the HESI or the NCLEX so I am beginning to feel like I have wasted 2 years of my life not to count all the years wasted on pre-reqs. The only thing that seemed to help with HESI for these people were Kaplan and the Saunders NCLEX review and prayer. Most of my instructors are extremely disorganized; you cant get a straight answer from any of them. We don't even get a review course before HESI because we have Nursing Jurisprudence. So basically we are all out of luck. I guess no one has any idea how to study for this stupid test because no one has responded. I am going to save myself a lot of grief and just quit. Marine Biology sounds interesting.

Bicster · Sep 9, 2008

I guess no one has any idea how to study for this stupid test because no one has responded. I am going to save myself a lot of grief and just quit. Marine Biology sounds interesting.

More studying less posting?

*LadyJane* · Sep 9, 2008

Hopefully you've been studying hard all along, because cramming will not help you pass NCLEX or HESI. Having said that, just keep reviewing your stuff and doing practice questions.

Make sure you know how to understand exactly what the question is asking and how to rule out some of the answers. Practice your stress management. Get some exercise daily because research has shown that students that exercise learn better and score better on tests.

Eat fish, it's been shown to help brain chemicals function better.

Tell yourself each day, in the morning, and in the evening, that "I am a loving and kind registered nurse" as if it is fact. Let this become your mantra, it helps to keep you focused.

For your exam, try to relax as much as possible so that your concentration can be focused like a laser beam. Chew gum during the test, as studies have shown that gum chewers score better, possibly because chewing keeps the head circulation going. If allowed, bring food if it's a really long test.

These are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Your mileage may vary, take the ones you like, and toss the rest.

ok that's it, I hope this helps. Tolerant girl, sorry for not replying earlier. I was out searching for a lost animal today.....and found her! Yay! :nurse:

Jane

tolerantgirl · Sep 9, 2008

Thank you for replying. I am really stressed out. I had the summer off, but it is hard to study in the summer with children running all over the place and working fulltime. We have been assigned 150 nclex questions over each system and i am doing those and reading the rationales. I have to take the HESI on September 30th. I am breaking down my studying sessions each day until the 30th and I also took some vacation time from work -I am going to be off work 7 days before the exam. Do you think it is possible to pass this hesi exit with this plan? Thanks for your help and I am really glad you found your pet. :)

*LadyJane* · Sep 9, 2008

Hi again Tolerantgirl,

These are my general test study tips, as I have not taken HESI yet myself, however I do generally earn A's on my exams because I do all these small things in addition to studying. That is why I do not know if you doing your plan will result in passing HESI (sorry!). I do know that you will increase your chances if you fully understand how to understand what exactly they are asking you in the question, and the whole process for answering. This stuff is covered in the first chapter of the NCLEX study guides.

As far as number of questions, only you can decide if that is enough for you. BTW, please do yourself a huge huge favor and walk for 40 min. on a treadmill. You'll feel wayyyyy better, have more energy and it will help you be more effective at all the other things you do. It will also reduce your stress level a LOT.... :yeah:

hugs and good luck....

Jane

PS. Thanks for asking about my pet hen. She was hiding between some bales of hay in the barn, and sitting on 23 eggs! This is far far away from the coop, and I never knew that any hens were going into that barn....I was very happy to see her again! Poor thing was soooo thirsty!

MB37 · Sep 9, 2008

I passed on my first try, but I do think my school does a good job of preparing people for HESIs - we had three fail the first try, only one the second from my class. I have been doing thousands of questions each semester since Fundamentals. You can't go back and fix that now if you haven't, but definitely start doing enough that you're comfortable with them. You have the HESI review book? Use that to review material, I thought it was great for that. I have many many NCLEX question books, and I did about 500 questions a day the last week before the HESI. You really can't cram for them, but it made me feel better about taking the exam. I tried to do at least 100-150 a day all summer semester. Don't waste time reviewing what you know. Do questions, but don't pore over the chapters. If you struggle with, say, renal, ortho, and OB, then read those sections in Saunders and in the HESI book. Then do additional questions in those areas to see if you improve your scores.

There aren't any shortcuts, you just have to be good at answering questions. Definitely practice some pharm questions, and don't waste time memorizing every med all over again - I promise, you WILL get at least a couple of HESI questions on meds you've never heard of. The key to the HESI is not to kill the patient. The questions are all weighted. If you have no clue what a question is asking, look at the answer choices. If one has to do with airway, one with pain, and two are psychsocial, pick the airway answer if it makes any sense. Then, if you get it wrong, you still won't have killed the patient. That means your score drops less. You also lose fewer points by missing an "easy" question than a "hard" question. Not knowing all side effects of one particular medication for gout doesn't hurt you as badly as not recognizing anaphylaxis after giving penicillin. Practice as many questions as you can, and when you're actually reviewing material, focus on concepts not details. For Peds questions, mainly just learn review what's appropriate for each developmental level. I hope this was somewhat helpful! Good luck!

trollins · Oct 2, 2008

that was helpful! I took the hesi exit yesterday and got 824! i need 850. any more insite

trollins · Oct 2, 2008

mb37 what school did you go to

trollins · Oct 2, 2008

are you at kingwood college?

trollins · Oct 2, 2008

tolarantgirl, are you at kinwood