What does this mean???

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I hope someone out there can help me calm down. I just wrapped up my 2nd clinical semester today! I was so glad to make it through pharmacology and med-surg nursing. I made a 98 on my last pharm test, and got a B+ as a final grade for the class (B+ = 91 at my school). I also got a B+ in my med-surg clinical class (lecture + clinical). I felt really good up until today...

My school decided to test using a HESI test. Anyone familiar with these? Well, it was the first time 2nd-clinical-semester students were having to take it and they wanted us all to get 85 or higher. We were completely unprepared, didn't know what to expect, how many questions or anything. My teacher only told us going in that it was set up similar to the NCLEX and that it was supposed to be an indicator of where we stand in our knowledge. Well, I got a 73 and was practically in tears. I've made all A's and B+'s in nursing school so far and have worked so hard to be in the top of my class. My teacher said she was very surprised at my low grade and didn't know why I didn't do well. That's when I started panicking because I explained, I thought the questions were hard! It was more difficult to have to use the computer and not be able to write anything down. Now after having such a good feeling at the end of this semester, I can't help but feel really worried. Does students or teachers have any experience with this and any suggestions?

Thank you,

Spec

Thanks Melanie. Appreciate it. :)

Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

You're welcome! :D

Hesi is a company that makes tests Health Education Systems Inc.

They make many different exams.

Our HESI covers the material we've learned to this point not just one area (such as fundamentals). Next semester it will have added more and more each semester. I just wish our school gave all the tests formatted like the NCLEX not just "nclex-type" questions because doing it on a computer with no paper and pen is a lot different.

They did say there were a few questions we haven't covered yet but overall, our class had a wide mixture of grades.

SpecFuz, do you know if you took the HESI PN or the HESI RN test?

I know a student who didn't make an 85 on the HESI PN test but still passed boards. HESI I hear is really old and nothing like NCLEX.

hmmm...not sure which kind of HESI it was. I might as well ask though, any recommended nclex-study books or computer-based review sites?

Thx!

Specializes in OB, lactation.

Melanie, I got ya beat - 82% probability of passing after one semester! :cool:

One that I missed was a drug question - I have pharmacology next semester so I don't feel bad about that... the other one I probably should have gotten right! ;)

By CCU Nurse

the correct answer on this particular question was check Dilantin level

While the patient flops around on the floor like a fish pounding his ripe melon every two seconds, check levels, wait on hold for the doc.

Boy.........that's some good book learnin they got in that there fancy school of yours.:chuckle

Don't you just love nursing test rationale as opposed to............well, just about anything. :rolleyes:

Afterwards do you:

A. Give report on them hoping to get off the floor before anyone notices.

B. Put the patient back in bed in reverse trendelenberg while balancing an apple on his head.

C. Tell the family "He's just being restless" and ask the spouse thier religeous preferences in case you have to take a stat social hx.

The answer is D.

You should have known it was missing.

It's very important to be able to notice typos you know.

Better luck next semester.

Just remember SpecFuzz, C=RN or whatever. After school nobody will care.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Home Health.

I took the HESI about 3 weeks ago. I got an 82.97!! :eek:

I was extremely upset and asked my clinical instuctor if I should just quit now!! She said NO!! She had been a floor nurse for nine yrs and took the HESI LAST semester and only got an 88.

I felt ALOT better. Basically, this is a test that lets the insturctors know how well the material is covered. It is not actually used against you and it doesn't count towards graduation, it is just a guideline. PLEASE don't sweat it! Enjoy the Holidays and your break!!

HOW CAN YOU DISCUSS HESI QUESTIONS ON A PUBLIC BB AFTER YOU SIGNED A CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT in which you agreed to NOT discuss these questions?

HELLO!!! That would get us booted out of the program immediately. If you can't even keep a test's questions confidential how are you are going to do with patient's confidentiality? Seriously, I would consider EDITing your post to delete this information. BIG No-no where I am.

We get copies of our Hesi results, and here is what it says under "Scoring Explanation" : The chart included in your report describes your particular scores in terms of an acceptable level of performance (85) and a recommended level of performance (90). A HESI score is NOT a percentage score. ... HESI has found that any subject category score below 85 SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY REMEDIATED. Additionally, total scores and subject category scores between 85 and 90 should be seriously reviewed.

In other words, anything less is a failure, and scoring a % is not the way to read the test.

I suggest you get an NCLEX review book, such as Saunders. I use it to study each section I am in. I have consistently scored 99.99 on my HESI's using these.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Home Health.
Originally posted by Vsummer1

HOW CAN YOU DISCUSS HESI QUESTIONS ON A PUBLIC BB AFTER YOU SIGNED A CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT in which you agreed to NOT discuss these questions?

I don't think we are using actual test questions. We are using examples of the TYPES of questions on the HESI. How else are we supposed to learn? I , for one, had a very HARD time with the size of the print for the test.

Okay, obviously need to clarify 2 assumptions that have been made.

a) I did not at any time have to sign ANYTHING stating that I couldn't discuss questions

and more importantly b) At my school HESI IS part of the grading policy and does go towards actual graduation. In fact, last semester they apparently required a passing of either 90 or 95 % and some students had 3 opportunities to take it and make that grade. When some didn't a big meeting was called because despite all those students doing fine in their classes, the teachers didn't want to allow them to graduate!

Thanks for the encouragement. I just got my semester grades and made all B+'s - A+'s (grading system for B+ = 90-92) so I'm happy!

Happy Holidays :)

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