HCC really screwed us big time!

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I just took the HESI entrance exam this weekend at HCC coleman and I am really angry about the test.

They put a brand new section on the test called: Critical Thinking. They never gave us any information on this new section when we are registering for it. The section was filled with questions like a patient is peeing blood and another is hallucinating because alcohol intoxication and two other not so important patients. So the question ask you which one is most important? well I never had any experience working in hospitals and not to mention the rest of the students taking that test, but I thought I will give it my best. I started to think if you don't get to the bloody pee patient she might die due to kidney failure, but what if the drunk moron start a rampage in the hospital or do something harmful to himself or others? You see what I am talking about? I can't believe they put a section full of these kind of questions. I don't have any problems with HCC before and I loved Dr. Schwartz's Biology class. But this really ****** me off, it made me felt like got picked on by a bully and I am powerless to fightback. I studied really hard, spend lots of time got good grades all other sections which are A&P, math, reading, grammar. (if this is the old test I won't have any problem to pass it at all!) I was wondering did the nursing school chair used his or her critical thinking before he or she decide to put it on the test????????

But ohhhh do I have something much better for you! When I was on the Critical Thinking section question 26, all of the sudden the entire computer testing system went hay-wire! all the computers froze and won't take any clicks on the answers. The IT guy called up monkeys at HESI asking what the heck is going on... well, after he log us out and back in again he says the problem should be gone, but noooooooooooooo computers still not taking anything!!!! so, they tell us we can't take the test anymore hahahahahaha(sarcasim) and we have to sign our name on a piece of paper so they can contact us later... don't know what's gonna happen now. This is really messed up. In all of its wisdom, HCC... sigh....:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

Thanks for replying. But the question still remains, is there anything I can study for the Critical Thinking section? I mean that section isn't in HESI's own study guide. I feel really down right now. felt like schools are just making us to fail. Heck I might have higher chance to get lottery's jack pot than get in a school that use all of its wisdom to fail us instead of teach us. WE WANT TO LEARN HOW TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL NOT HOW TO BECOME A FAILURE!!! WE ARE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY HAVE THIS THING CALLED S E L F - E S T E E M!!!!

Thanks for replying. But the question still remains, is there anything I can study for the Critical Thinking section? I mean that section isn't in HESI's own study guide. I feel really down right now. felt like schools are just making us to fail. Heck I might have higher chance to get lottery's jack pot than get in a school that use all of its wisdom to fail us instead of teach us. WE WANT TO LEARN HOW TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL NOT HOW TO BECOME A FAILURE!!! WE ARE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY HAVE THIS THING CALLED S E L F - E S T E E M!!!!

I am still shaking my head that they expect you to know how to prioritize medical situations before you start nursing school! It's not all just common sense; it's common sense plus nursing knowledge. A lot of nursing students use a book called Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment. You can see it on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Prioritization-Delegation-Assignment-Exercises-Medical-Surgical/dp/0323044077/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238504246&sr=8-1

Maybe a quick read-through would give you an edge on the critical thinking portion of the HESI.

Good luck!

Thank you soo much for the information! I paid 41$ total for it to get here by tomorrow. I am gonna get'er done! and I am also going to file a complaint, because what they did is totally wrong.

It's awful that computer problems are adding to the stress of test taking!!

I took the HESI back in November and had the critical thinking portion, too. But my school doesn't use the score for admittance into the program. Since I have never worked in health care I was a little freaked out about the questions pertaining to prioritization of patients, etc. but I was pleasantly surprised by my score. I took Nursing Skills at the beginning of this semester and that really helped with critical thinking skills. I had never looked at an NCLEX study guide before but now that I have, my plan is to continue to do NCLEX review questions throughout nursing school. I may not know the answers because I may not have learned about a particular diagnosis or whatever, but I can certainly learn from the review. Good luck!!

These are NCLEX-style questions. Even nursing school doesn't adequately prepare you for them, but you have to get the hang of them to get your license.

First, think ABC's: airway, breathing, circulation. If any of the patients have an airway problem, it's a slam-dunk, that's the answer. Next is breathing, next is circulation. Pain is never the priority (even though in real-life it might be, get that out of your head). If none of the ABC's apply, go to Maslow's heirarchy, starting at the bottom.

Most important, DON'T read into the question. For example, you said "the patient might die of kidney failure" - don't go there, try to use only the info given in the question.

Hope this helps. Seriously, most of your nursing exams and the NCLEX will be like this - hopefully minus the computer problems.

^Thank you very much *ac* your tips are very helpful! I will keep in mind not to read into the questions!

well, after a week of the test. I called Friday to ask what's going on. They told me "oh~ they are stil' workin' on it. And I told them how I felt about the Critical Thinking section and all I got is an "ok?" I think I need to take some kind of action to bring this matter to their attention. That count Critical Thinking section against us is unjust and wrong. I want to make a change and made my voice heard. Any suggestions? (I am not saying to take that section off, but not let it count against us in weather to get in the program or not, because it is not fair for them to do that.)

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I am sorry about your frustrations, I don't know anything about this school and I didn't have to test, I hope everything works out for you.

Does anyone know what the answer is?? I pick the blood in the pee.

^thanks for the good wish. about the answer, from what I have studied so far, unfortunately the drunktard gets help frist. So he doesn't kick someone in the face, or put fingers into power sockets... Correct me if I am wrong. Please. and thank you. I am going to HCC Coleman tomorrow, to talk to their "monkeys" in person, so if you have and suggestions please let me know, so I can sound educated and prepared to those "monkeys"

jinjinweiwei,

The voice of many roar more loudly than the voice of one :yawn:. Write a petition and have fellow students sign the petition addressing your concerns. Good luck!

Sounds like a good idea! Thanks!

I just got back from school. They tell me we have to wait till at least April 25th to re take the exam. I also told them about the problems with the new section. The lady tell me to write a letter to the chair... riiight... I am going to write a letter to the person put the new section on the test....... it felt like all of them just had a mind fart or something.... sigh...

So, I am going to write a petition and I will have to find another way to bring this nonsense to an end. any suggestions?

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