TEXAS RN's: Is HESI harder than NCLEX?

Yes we do have to pass HESI to graduate. We took it last week for the 1st try. There were only 22 out of 80 at our school that made above the 850. They have 3 weeks to study and take it for the last time and if they can't make an 850 then they don't graduate. The reason our school is doing this is because they only had a 78% pass rate on the last NCLEX so their program is on the line if our class does not have abouve an 80% pass rate. I think it is really sad that instead of teaching what they need to, they expect students to complete all of critical care in 8 weeks, along with a paper and other assignments, and only have one week to study for an exam that is supposed to be harder than NCLEX. You have as much time to study for NCLEX uninterrupted as you need. Why are they doing this to our class? Trust me, we have been through enough.

I made 986 on it and didn't study because I was very sick the entire week before but, to be fair to others, I have worked as a scrub in the OR for 8 years and a nurse tech for 2 before that so I have more experience than a lot in my class and YES it does make a difference.

I am so worried about all of my friends. We have had 2 years of drama and h@ll and some are on the edge of needing to go to the psych ward...not kidding. I just want to cry for my classmates because through all of this h@ll we have become life family!

Were in the Houston area.