Pinning and graduation ceremonies when you didn't pass

[allisonjdean]

My nursing class is graduating this month. It is a new program, and we will be the first graduating class. Our class started with 30 students. 15 students made it to the final quarter, and 13 passed. We are required to take an exit Hesi exam prior to graduating. The school has given the test 3 times, and only 8 out of the 13 students have passed it. Our pinning ceremony is this week, and the school is allowing all of the 13 students to be pinned and march at graduation even though 5 of them have not passed the Hesi and therefore have not fulfilled all of the graduation requirements. As a person who worked my ass off throughout the program and passed the Hesi with flying colors, this upsets me. I know it doesn't personally affect me, but in my opinion it makes a mockery of my ceremony when it involves people who don't deserve it. What are your thoughts?

[allisonjdean]

I guess I left out the part of the story where these same students were accused of purchasing test banks from teachers, but the school ultimately could not prove it even though I've heard some of them bragging about it. They get to take the exit an unlimited amount of times. Their official graduation date will be the date they pass the exit. The school paid for a review course for them, and as of this week none of them have passed.

Ultimately, I had a great time at graduation and pinning. Some of these students were given awards at the pinning ceremony which was annoying, but I know in the end I did it the right way and will make a great nurse. I truly fear for the patients of these cheaters if they ever pass the exit and the NCLEX-RN. If you are willing to take short-cuts in school, then I'm sure you are willing to do the same when you are an RN.

[BiohazardBetty]

If you are willing to take short-cuts in school then I'm sure you are willing to do the same when you are an RN.[/quote']

If you're willing to let yourself get wrapped up in silly drama in school, then you are gonna do the same when you are an RN... it's gonna come back to bite you and people will dread working with you, I promise. There are so many politics in play in nursing that there will always be something you think is unfair or illogical or just plain wrong & you've gotta learn to choose your battles wisely...

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

Funny how the entire story changes when faced with criticism.....I bet they kick puppies and lie to their grandmothers too, right?

[Kimynurse]

Congratulations, put it in a bubble and let it go

Be the nurse you want to be, warning if you work with those nurses, don't ever bad mouth them, or say to other nurses that they cheated, as the person your talking to may of been in there shoes.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

I think there is a problem when 13 out of 30 actually make it through a program, and only 8 of them can pass the exit HESI... but that is just me.

I agree with those who think you're being petty. I also agree this program is working out obvious kinks and allowing their FIRST EVER CLASS of students graduate with the FIRST EVER CLASS to go ahead and do it. Many, many honest people struggle with that exam-- and go on to pass the NCLEX and become great nurses.

The cheating thing? I'm thinking if the faculty truly felt one or all of these 5 students were cheaters, they'd have let them fail. If one won an award- there must be something remarkable about that student.

The time is now to stop worrying about others and move on and enjoy your life and career.

[Camwill, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, LPN, APRN, NP]

I think it only matter with what your school says you need to pass. Personally our school allows three times to take the hesi. It is a percentage of your grade. So you take it the first time and you receive all the points, the second time you receive 50% of those points, and the third time you do not receive any points. Hesi does not keep you from passing nursing school. I would absolutely support my fellow classmates that did not pass their Hesi because we do not study to pass hesi. Hesi is a test to predict how you would do on NCLEX. My peers worked hard to pass every semester! One test does not prove they are not deserving of pinning. I am very thankful that I have passed the hesi exams we have taken the first time. My peers that did not, we all helped them study and they passed the second time. That is just my opinion. I find it sad that they even told you about it and thought you would be caring or supportive. Congrats for passing nursing school!!!