HESI exam

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Hello,

I am in an accelerated RN BSN program. I just finished my first semester and didn't do as well as I thought on the final and on HESI. I know the material, I do well at clinical but I am struggling at the nclex style questions. Can anyone give me tips? I am just so worried that I am going to fail.

Thanks

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I'm definitely not an expert, I am also a first semester student but here is my little advice for what it's worth. I just took my final and HESI today. What helped me is taking practice tests and answering questions and READING RATIONALES (even if you get it right it doesn't hurt to read and make sure you know why you got it right) The rationales are key. I've been using Saunders NCLEX comprehensive review and I went over the Evolve case studies that we used throughout the semester. I re-took the exams that are at the end of each section to prepare for my HESI and finals. Practice NCLEX style questions as much as possible so you can get used to those types of questions. It's definitely a different testing style. Practice questions help me to get a feel for what they are looking for, how they word things etc. the rationales help me to go through the critical thinking process and see why my answer was wrong or right. I have the NCLEX mastery app on my phone and I try to do a few questions every day when I'm about to go to bed or waiting for my oil change or waiting in line at the grocery store etc. just sneaking in the practice wherever and whenever. I keep my Saunders book with me all the time these days to study whenever I have down time. There are some good practice tests on mightynurse.com and I also look at quizlet and youtube a lot there are some great videos that explain things like heart sounds and ABG's and just about any area you might need clarification on. Sometimes it helps to hear it from another perspective outside of just the lecture or book. It helps me to watch videos and animations and listen to songs that people make up to help remember some things. There are tons of resources, just find one that works for you. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

Practice questions and reviewing test-taking strategies. I suggest buying or borrowing the book, "Strategies for Test Success: Passing nursing school and the NCLEX Exam" by Silvestri.

Buy NCLEX-4000 and/or Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN and review the content and practice answering NCLEX-RN questions.

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I was told by my nursing instructor to do 100 nclex style questions a day and read/understand the rationale.

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