I have passed all my Nursing classes at my community College on December 2019, but I was denied receiving my Nursing associate diploma because I did not pass my Exit HESI exam. The Exit HESI passing score was 850, my score was 784.
At first, I was told I need to go through the Remediation program working with my teacher at school which I did from January 2020 until now; we met online every other week. Then, on May 2020 I was told school has new policy; remediation test passing score is now 90% straight and Exit HESI new passing score is 900 instead of 850. Also, I need to pass the remediation test before I be able to take the Exit HESI exam again.
Per my remediation teacher suggestion, I had a meeting with the Dean of Nursing school last month. I was told they will bring my concern in their next faculty meeting for policy change consideration. Although this policy is not on school website.
I believe remediation questions are even more difficult than Exit HESI questions. I have spent last 6 months doing remediation. I know there is no way I would be able to pass remediation test with 90% score. I was told I am eligible to take the Exit HESI exam three more times before December 2020, but school is not letting me to take my Exit HESI exams!
All my classmates graduated 6 months ago, and I am still waiting. I owe $40,000 student loan that I need to start paying back. I need my school allow me to take my Exit HESI test as soon as possible. Can someone suggest what options I have?
Thank you for your replies! Below is answer to some of your questions:
I attended BHC.
I checked out student book, the syllabus, and the BHC website, there is no place says I have to take or pass HESI. This is just known from the teachers to students.
I have not signed anything. This has taken six months because she dragged the meetings to every other week and sometimes postponing the meetings.
I talked to the remediation teacher last week and no meeting will be scheduled until at least in August. Dean is not available and I have to take few more remediation tests and get 90% on all of them prior to taking HESI!!
I am still gathering more documents. I have never dealt with any lawyer and to be honest I am scared. I searched for “free lawyer for college students” over the weekend, and I will start making some phone calls this week.
Thank you for your replies! Below is answer to some of your questions:
I attended BHC.
I checked out student book, the syllabus, and the BHC website, there is no place says I have to take or pass HESI. This is just known from the teachers to students.
I have not signed anything. This has taken six months because she dragged the meetings to every other week and sometimes postponing the meetings.
I talked to the remediation teacher last week and no meeting will be scheduled until at least in August. Dean is not available and I have to take few more remediation tests and get 90% on all of them prior to taking HESI!!
I am still gathering more documents. I have never dealt with any lawyer and to be honest I am scared. I searched for “free lawyer for college students” over the weekend, and I will start making some phone calls this week.
You have already lost 25-30k by not working these 6 months. Just find a lawyer, put the retainer on a credit card, open a second card with a 0% balance transfer for a year to avoid interest on the balance from the first card, and get it over with. You will thank yourself later.
his has taken six months because she dragged the meetings to every other week and sometimes postponing the meetings.
I talked to the remediation teacher last week and no meeting will be scheduled until at least in August. Dean is not available and I have to take few more remediation tests and get 90% on all of them prior to taking HESI!!
Call and make an appointment this WEEK to talk to someone about this in the office above your Dean. If your Dean has a secretary or assistant ask that person. Don't give any explanation why. You just want to schedule an appointment about your progress in the nursing program. Since today was a holiday, the appointment needs to be between Tuesday and Friday.
Bring all your papers. Highlight or make a sheet of paper that includes:
1) The information given to you prior to the First HESI, if not in writing, what was the info you heard. Write that out prior to the meeting.
2 ) The Email you received after the second HESI Exit Exam). Who contacted the remediation teacher and what was the expectation on your part and hers.
3) Did you ever cancel a meeting or be a no show? If you did cancel, was this communicated to the remediation teacher and how. (Teachers have long memories if they have been stood up because it prevented them from scheduling something else)
4 hours ago, Nursing2094 said:
I have to take few more remediation tests and get 90% on all of them prior to taking HESI!!
4) What remediation tests HAVE YOU TAKEN? This is new information.
5) Outline the schedule you followed which was agreed upon and how You have completed the meetings/tasks on your part, Any written assignments, readings, practice test via the computer lab etc.
6) Did Covid interfere with ANY of this? Do not throw the Covid card in too early. Students have been going to college and passing the NCLEX through the Spanish Flu, World Wars One and Two, Katrina, and Desert Storm (PS -- this is just a factoid and not for you to say but Mildred Montag developed the ADN program during WW2/Korean War to get more nurses to the front)
7) Provide your solution:
Your goal: I have to take X more remediation tests and get 90% on all of them prior to taking HESI . My timeline is: _____________
Regarding the few more remediation tests, make sure this in writing - where is this coming from? What remediation tests (number) how are they graded, what will happen on each if you do not meet the 90%?
This all I can offer, I am not a lawyer and I am just directing you to documents you already have/not have. This is just me, not professional advice but:1 ) a lawyer costs $$ and you are already in deep with student loans.
2) the college knows you are not rich and if lawyers get involved it can really slow down the process and cost you a lot more $$$
3) A lawyer will go down the same paper trail that you have already done.
Unless it is a malpractice case (which depends on standards of care) attorneys will never argue that you are safe to graduate and work. Instead they are just making sure all the policies and procedures are followed in your and society's best interests.
4) The college wants to move you off their roster and into NCLEX. Ask explicitly how you can make that happen. You may want to add you can be helpful to Texas when, after passing NCLEX, obtaining a job, get oriented to your place of employment and add one more RN to the Texas nursing workforce. (don't let that overwhelm you. it will fall into place, believe me.)
You have already lost 25-30k by not working these 6 months. Just find a lawyer, put the retainer on a credit card, open a second card with a 0% balance transfer for a year to avoid interest on the balance from the first card, and get it over with.
Please see my message above. I don't know what the college expectations were to assist her complete her program of studies. We don't know what guidelines were disseminated or agreements made. It would be an expensive exercise in what a lawyer may ask to review. I have never been involved in a case identical to hers but one where the documents are produced/never created a decision can move quickly. (At least that is what I learned in an Educational Law Graduate School class) Her HESI tests were near the end of a semester and Christmas was quickly approaching. Was something not followed in the returning days of January? ALL parties needed to have a meeting of the minds.
On 7/6/2020 at 4:04 PM, londonflo said:
Why not get an attorney today?
1 ) a lawyer costs $$/per hour and she is already in debt to the tune of $40,000.
2) the college knows students are not rich and if lawyers get involved it can really slow down the process and cost the student a lot more $$$. No one wants to foster ill will in a community that needs graduates in the health care professions.
3) A lawyer will go down the same paper trail that I have asked her for and take his/her sweet time on it. The clock is ticking if the college holds her to the 120 day limit on a grievance. (I am not sure this is grievable)
Unless it is a malpractice case (which depends on standards of care) attorneys will never argue that you are safe to graduate and work. Instead they are just making sure all the policies and procedures are followed in your and society's best interests.
I have been busy studying among other things. I wrote a complain letter to the Texas Higher Education board. I also received some leads from local university, SMU law school that I need to follow. And I am still searching for a lawyer..
A lawyer is cheaper than letting them lead you along.
I empathize with your POV, but I fear that you may be incorrect.
It's not uncommon for a lawyer to take a $2,000 retainer and eventually if the case must actually go to Court, bill you for over $50,000.
You are assuming that a lawyer can actually use the law to force the college to change what they want to do. This is likely a false assumption.
As one poster pointed out, "avoid colleges with exit exams," for they use them to make sure that their NCLEX numbers remain high. That points to a college that's not using particularly good ethics from the get-go.
A lawyer might be useful and might not, but remember lawyers make money, big money, by the hour.
As one poster pointed out, "avoid colleges with exit exams," for they use them to make sure that their NCLEX numbers remain high. That points to a college that's not using particularly good ethics from the get-go.
Having taught nursing in colleges I have a different opinion on the use of exit exams, as we have used them. We have not refused graduation for them. First of all, I have never been involved with any school that had problems with their NCLEX passage rate. I have also given my time gladly to help a graduate from my school or another school to plan their remediation upon failing NCLEX. I have helped with interpreting the candidates report and explaining the NCLEX blueprint to them. A lot of schools drop the student/graduate upon graduation, leaving them feeling lost.
I can tell you that a test upon completion of a program of study serves to:
Identify an end point where the student/graduate must realize they are about to be tested on the basic body of knowledge expected of them upon graduation/employment.
Assist a student/graduate to plan for NCLEX testing- that testing is real
Stay connected with the student/graduate to help them remediate or get back on track for testing. We REACH out to them instead of them avoiding us.
Get the student/graduate to 'pull the trigger' on submitting their application and planning on testing in the near future. (=not I will take 1 or 2 months to study for NCLEX after graduation)
Provide a decision to the student/graduate if they have the requisite body of knowledge to take the expensive $$$ test..
Provide assurance to a proposed employer the student/graduate will likely pass the test
Put the student/graduates mind at somewhat of an ease that they are ready to take the NCLEX.
Stop the student from paying for expensive NCLEX prep programsthey do not need.
Provide curricular information (along with the Mountain Measurement data) on the completeness of the curriculum or identify areas that need improvement for the administration and faculty.
2 hours ago, 42pines said:
That points to a college that's not using particularly good ethics from the get-go.
Please provide the specifics of your experiences teaching or adminstering nursing programs before you disparage those of us who do.
If you go back to the OP's story, you will find she has failed to meet with her assigned faculty nor complete what was expected of her. I have provided extensive directions to help get her on track but she has not completed any tasks or provided more information subsequently. Unfortunately, while I still truly want this graduate to succeed I have known many who just want a 'poor me' story to explain why they have not obtained licensure and become gainfully employed. She was attending a CC so I cannot fathom why she is $40,000 in debt which is very unfortunate.
Nursing2094
9 Posts
Thank you for your replies! Below is answer to some of your questions:
I attended BHC.
I checked out student book, the syllabus, and the BHC website, there is no place says I have to take or pass HESI. This is just known from the teachers to students.
I have not signed anything. This has taken six months because she dragged the meetings to every other week and sometimes postponing the meetings.
I talked to the remediation teacher last week and no meeting will be scheduled until at least in August. Dean is not available and I have to take few more remediation tests and get 90% on all of them prior to taking HESI!!
I am still gathering more documents. I have never dealt with any lawyer and to be honest I am scared. I searched for “free lawyer for college students” over the weekend, and I will start making some phone calls this week.