Hesi and the actual boards

[Nurse Wilson]

I am sure who ever is reading this is a nursing student and I know you are very familiar with the hesi exit exam. During the course of my program, I was a straight A and B student. So to find out that I could not "actually" graduate with my class was very devastating. At my particular institution, for the students who did not score >900 on the hesi exit exam, you were able to walk but you would not receive your degree. I took the hesi exit 4 times before graduation but I didn't actually pass until my 6th try. My grades went from 740, 888, 868, 858, 897, and finally a 908. I took boards exactly a week after passing hesi and after about a hour, my compute shut off at 75 questions. Two day later, I found out I passed boards. To be honest, I feel that the hesi prepared me for boards because during the process, I was able to learn how the body really works and I now have a better understanding of med-surg, peds, and so on. I am saying all this to say, just because you don't pass hesi on the first try, that does not mean you will fail boards or you will be a horrible nurse. My journey is now over and I can put all of this behind me. I really hope this motivates someone :)

[TiffanyRoseRN]

I agree the hesi was helpful preparing you for the boards. I actually thought the hesi was a little harder than the boards. I passed my hesi first try but I think that having taken the hesi it help me be more prepared for what to expect on my boards Congrats on passing...

[Nurse Wilson]

Thank you so much. I agree. By taking to hesi exit so many times, it really made me sit down and study the information. I understand the whole nursing process so much better now.