Hesi Exit Test

Students, this thread on the faculty portion of allnurses is two years old. During that time, this thread has turned into a debate among students, with few or none of the students showing any ability to understand why schools are using this assessment tool.

To help you understand, let me recap an earlier post:

Here is the bottom line:
If a school's first-time NCLEX pass rate falls below a certain percent, the State Board of Nursing becomes involved and could actually close a school if the rates drop too far below a certain percentage. Using NCLEX predictor examinations as a requirement in the program (such as HESI or ATI) allows programs to identify students who are still at risk of failing NCLEX. These students put the put the school at risk of closing, if they are allowed to "take the chance" and then fail the NCLEX.

“Fine!” you may respond. “If a school is not performing, it SHOULD be closed down.” In many ways that is true, but think of this: if a school closes due to low pass rates, that is one less school that can serve students who want to be nurses.

Raising admission standards, raising passing percentages in courses, and eliminating “participation points” (and other such grade-inflating credits in courses) would do lot toward keeping only those students in a program who were capable of academic success, and were able to pass NCLEX on the first attempt.

Here is an interesting article on the subject: http://articles.directorym.com/Nursi...-a1022926.html

• Grade inflation is a factor leading to a low NCLEX pass rate in some nursing education programs, particularly in programs that allow significant point credit in theory courses for attendance, participation, and completion of assignments.

• Student characteristics identified by programs as leading to NCLEX failure include a high number of work hours, family commitments, English as a second language, and low admission points. Nursing education programs tend to take similar actions to address NCLEX pass rate concerns.

Actions commonly taken by programs include:

o Initiating the use of an NCLEX predictor examination as a requirement in the program

o Requiring students to complete NCLEX review, tutoring, or other actions if the predictor examination score is low

o Increasing the minimum passing grade

o Providing faculty education in the areas of the NCLEX examination and test development skills

o Changing or increasing admission requirements.


If you would like to debate this topic further, may I suggest that you take this to the student forum?

As a nursing educator, I am not disturbed by students posting to this thread. It is illuminating to see student perceptions of the standardized tests we use, and I believe they raise some legitimate concerns. I think it is clear from their comments that schools are using the tests in different ways and with different passing standards. There are broader academic issues, also, in my opinion, about using such tests as a requirement for graduation.

hi all,
is anyone from California jr. college? are they also require to take the HESI as an exit exam too? any info will be great? what material is used to study for it?
thanks

[quote=valmor1984;3887330][font=Arial][size=3]Students, this thread on the faculty portion of allnurses is two years old. During that time, this thread has turned into a debate among students, with few or none of the students showing any ability to understand why schools are using this assessment tool.
[quote]

My problem is actually not with the fact that we have to have a HESI...I understand WHY its used, I am cool there.
My problem is the unfairness with MY program in starting an Exit HESI for graduation, 3/4th the way through the program, with none of us having taken a HESI test before. We have our first HESI in December that is worth 10% of our final grade for the quarter. Then the next one will be our exit exam in the spring, that we get three tries, and if we don't pass it, we don't graduate. period. Do Not Pass Go, do not collect $200, your done.
Now, tell me, if I have passed all my classes and passed clinicals, is it fair for a third party vendor to test me, fail me and then, basically, not be allowed my diploma that I am $15,000 in debt for? I can see the school not turning in paperwork to the BON, but to not allow me a diploma because of the HESI, is pretty much BS.

Oh and I post it here, so you faculty can see how your decision effect your students...cause it feels that one is thinking about us, just their pass rate.

You need to realize that every educator does not feel the same way. You also need to realize there are appropriate channels to take when you have issues with the system. This has been my struggle my whole nursing career (25 years of it)-- so buckle up. I have a lot of passion, but am learning to reign it in for progress. That is my advice to you right now. Channel your energies where they can make a difference. It is not always the attack mode that works.

I am new to using EVOLVE (HESI) but my understanding is that there are resources for students to prepare for the test. This information should be available from instructors. I would advise all students to use the study materials that come with the tests.

I did learn one good thing from my experiences with students taking ATI, which has similarities to HESI: when students successfully completed a series of ATI tests, they were more comfortable (and successful) with the NCLEX. I think success on ATI gave students experience with NCLEX-type questions and lowered their anxiety.