Failed because of the HESI? Huh?

sunnyjohn · Aug 23, 2005

Fair standardized test are a good way to assure minimum requirements.

My problem here, this school seems more concerned with improving its NCLEX first time pass rates than identifying students strengths and improving weaknesses.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2005

I graduated in 5/02 and it was the first year my school instituted their HESI pass or remediate rule. We didnt get any help studying something particularly for that test, but were told to study for it. (HUH?)

I studied my materials from class, didnt buy any book for the test(didnt know at the time there were any). But, if this school's pass rate on the HESI and their subsequent failure on the NCLEX doesnt improve the school will also be in trouble. They will have their accreditation put on probation and if it doesnt improve accreditation will be pulled until they can prove their classroom criteria is adequate to ensure a reasonable pass rate.

So although im sorry the students found themselves in such a fix,, the school is also going to be held accountable if they dont change things.

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Aug 23, 2005

I have had to take 2 HESIs so far and I am entering 3rd semster. We didn't get any study materials either, and in fact, we were told not to study for it because the school wanted to just see where we were at. I think we get one a semester. It doesn't count for anything, or isn't held against us. That being said, I found it to be pretty easy. I thought our regular tests were harder. I didn't study one bit and still got almost 1000 on it. I took it 2 days before my final and it took about 45 minutes. I think the HESI is not really an indication of how well you do as a student, but how well the school is doing at teaching you to be a nurse. If people are failing nursing school due to a HESI, then the teachers really need to be looked at.

fotografe · Aug 23, 2005

I think basing everything on one test is a cop out. "Remediation" should not be necessary in a program that is supposed to be educating you with new information anyway. The University is supposed to teach you what you are supposed to know. If you are gettting all A's in their nursing classes and you fail this test, then something is wrong with the grading system. They are not testing you in your classes on what you are supposed to know.

This is the University CYA with the nursing board, while hanging the students out to dry. A plan to improve NCLEX pass rates should be to improve curriculum, teaching and testing methods. Preventing students from taking the NCLEX in the first place makes no improvement in the training program, it just makes the numbers look better. If you only allow students to take the test who have proven they can pass the test, then of course your stats are going to go up. The reality is, they still have students Acing the program (ie paying tuition) and not ending up as RNs.

I like the idea of remediation and using the test as a gauge for the strengths and weaknesses of the students. That way they can look both at the students and the instructors. It can't all be so one-sided.

BETSRN · Aug 23, 2005

I think basing everything on one test is a cop out. "Remediation" should not be necessary in a program that is supposed to be educating you with new information anyway. The University is supposed to teach you what you are supposed to know. If you are gettting all A's in their nursing classes and you fail this test, then something is wrong with the grading system. They are not testing you in your classes on what you are supposed to know.
This is the University CYA with the nursing board, while hanging the students out to dry. A plan to improve NCLEX pass rates should be to improve curriculum, teaching and testing methods. Preventing students from taking the NCLEX in the first place makes no improvement in the training program, it just makes the numbers look better. If you only allow students to take the test who have proven they can pass the test, then of course your stats are going to go up. The reality is, they still have students Acing the program (ie paying tuition) and not ending up as RNs.

I come from before the days of this test, but it would be my assumption (judging from the students I see coming out these days) that many new grads do NOT have good nursing school backgrounds. They just lack so much knowledge, skills and critical thinking skills.This is certainly not fair to the students who are putting their trust in their nursing school. I am wondering if this type of mal-preparation is what is driving this porblem with so many new nurses burning out and feeling so inferior?

I have a college degree as well as my RN. I certainly agree with the idea of improving the status of nurses and nursing in general. However, all the extraneous stuff one learns in some of these programs just take the place of all the pertinent information (and skill building concepts) that the new grads lack.

sunnyjohn · Aug 23, 2005

I wonder what they are going to do if their NCLEX pass rates don't improve after removing students who don't pass the HESI? Will they come up with a new strategy?

In every class there are weak students, but I also think it is important for every school to constantly examine its teaching staff.

All aspects of a problem must be examined in order to fix it.

I hope these students keep studying, work on the weak areas and finish their nursing studies.

jsteine1 · Aug 23, 2005

[Must be befiore my time: what is the HESI?

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Aug 23, 2005

It's an exam taken on a computer that they say is used to predict how well you will perform on the nclex.

jsteine1 · Aug 23, 2005

It's an exam taken on a computer that they say is used to predict how well you will perform on the nclex.

Every day I read another post describing additional hurdles for todays nursing students. I think everyone agrees that having a mechanism to truly test the effectiveness of the program is a good idea, but to bounce seniors with good academic and clinical performance? Doesnt seem reasonable. Schools using this in to enhance or ensure their accreditation status have long standing internal issues to address about their faculty and their program. This tack is extremely harsh and may likely result in yet FEWER nurses. For financial or other reasons, a number of these students may transfer and complete their degrees in another profession. How sad for all of us. Just another reason the average Rn age today is 48!

fozzie · Aug 23, 2005

This HESI test...is it similar to the ERI test? Because I'm going to have to take a test from ERI at the end of every semester in order to actually pass each course, and I'm wondering if this is something similar.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Aug 24, 2005

The HESI is a test to guage the predictability of a student to pass NCLEX. No i dont think they should necissarily rule a student out of NCLEX because they failed the HESI but then, is it really in the students best interest to take it and pay for testing NCLEX if their chances of passing are poor?

We got a full printout of each question we missed, are they not giving those now? That should be a basis for what each student needs to review whether they pass HESI or not.

hshultz16 · Aug 24, 2005

What is your opinion on this guys???
http://www.joplinglobe.com/archives/story.php?story_id=109124
I have never heard of such a thing. What is going on??

I juat recently graduated and my school enforced a rule at the beginning of the year that you had to take hesi and pass it with a score of 900 or better. If you did not pass it they would not release your paperwork to take the nclex. I think the test is awful and should not be a reason to be dropped from a nursing program, that is why you go to school is to learn how to take these tests and you are not going to learn overnight. I think these schools want to keep their pass rates for the nclex high so if they see someone that is unable to pass the hesi they probably think they have a lower chance of passing the nclex which would bring their pass rate down...