Hesi Is Killing Me!!

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Specializes in LTC and Med/Surg.

My spring sem. of my Sr. year we had 2 clinicals (critical care/comm. health), 3 nursing classes (critical care/com. health/nclex rev(something they made up)), and on top of that other classes we had to take to be able to graduate. We also had to do a number of questions for the sem (5000 or more) to be elgible to even take the Hesi Exit exam. I know, I know it's a lot. But i got thru my classes, now time for the exit. Most of the students barely had enough time to even look thru the Hesi nclex review book b/c of the crazy, heavy courseload. When it came time to do the exit, everyone was nervous b/c we really wanted to make it, unfortunately, we only had about 25% of our class pass on the first try. Crazy, right? Going into this exam we as a class felt unprepared b/c this was our 1st encounter w/ Hesi. Other schools have Hesi their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year. We had ATI all our 4 years. We've gotten so used to ATI style that Hesi was just way out there.

So basically, according to our BSN nursing program, you have to pass the exit in 3 tries to obtain your degree. Also, b/c of the size of our school, we were requried to get a 900 or better. If you have failed the test 3 times, you would have to either become a LPN (w/ RN knowledge), or start from scratch. Crazy, huh?:madface:

Now we took the test on our 2nd try, only one has passed, and several others have failed yet again. How can we pass this test? We know we know the information, it's just our test taking skills. What tips could you provide for us students who have taken the test 2 times and about to strike out on the 3rd try? Help, please!:confused:

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.
My spring sem. of my Sr. year we had 2 clinicals (critical care/comm. health), 3 nursing classes (critical care/com. health/nclex rev(something they made up)), and on top of that other classes we had to take to be able to graduate. We also had to do a number of questions for the sem (5000 or more) to be elgible to even take the Hesi Exit exam. I know, I know it's a lot. But i got thru my classes, now time for the exit. Most of the students barely had enough time to even look thru the Hesi nclex review book b/c of the crazy, heavy courseload. When it came time to do the exit, everyone was nervous b/c we really wanted to make it, unfortunately, we only had about 25% of our class pass on the first try. Crazy, right? Going into this exam we as a class felt unprepared b/c this was our 1st encounter w/ Hesi. Other schools have Hesi their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year. We had ATI all our 4 years. We've gotten so used to ATI style that Hesi was just way out there.

So basically, according to our BSN nursing program, you have to pass the exit in 3 tries to obtain your degree. Also, b/c of the size of our school, we were requried to get a 900 or better. If you have failed the test 3 times, you would have to either become a LPN (w/ RN knowledge), or start from scratch. Crazy, huh?:madface:

Now we took the test on our 2nd try, only one has passed, and several others have failed yet again. How can we pass this test? We know we know the information, it's just our test taking skills. What tips could you provide for us students who have taken the test 2 times and about to strike out on the 3rd try? Help, please!:confused:

I graduated from my BSN program in May 2005. We took HESI exams our junior and senior years, and also had to score above a certain level (850 I think) in the exit exam. I did about 5,000 practice questions on my own in prep for it and also prep for NCLEX. I passed on the first try but chose to take it again for more practice. Do you guys get printouts after you take the test that tell you your weak areas? We got to keep ours, so we knew which areas we needed to brush up on. Maybe buy a CD-rom full of NCLEX questions, and practice doing them on the computer and study all the answers of the ones you get wrong. Alsok focus on prioritization and which pt out of four you would assess/treat first. Delegation questions involving LPNs and UAPs are also a big thing to focus on. Don't forget leadership styles (authoritative, laissez-faire, etc), and other management issues. Good luck! :)

-Christine

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well...i just first want to say...sorry, i think that is crap that you have to pass the hesi in order to graduate. :angryfire esp. considering the hesi has not proved accurate many times on determing success rate on the nclex. many students in my class believe it or not, scored 500...and went on to pass mosby's cat and the nclex...so schools really need to reconsider the exit hesi...ok, sorry enough ranting...:angryfire

i had many friends at other nursing programs, also have to pass in order to get their degree. i was lucky in the sense that our school gave us the hesi for our own study use, it wasn't a graduation requirement. i can tell you many of my friends just practiced with nclex cd's. such as mosby, saunders and kaplan, doing questions and then reading the rationales. they also, swapped nclex cd's among themselves, so in total; a group of them were doing over a 1000 questions from different sources. i.e. davis, ncsbn, mosby...i wish you the best....i would also if you have time, review saunders chapters on any of your weak spots, when i took the hesi it gave me a print out of weak areas, i don't know if they do the same for you. good luck, sending prayers and positive vibes your way.

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Specializes in PACU, ED.

We just did the HESI at the end of block 2. The school and students each got a copy of the results. Our school requires us to take the HESI but we don't have to pass it. I think they are just using it as a tool to adjust their curriculum.

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Specializes in LTC and Med/Surg.

I want to thank all of you for giving me tips and encouragment. Yes, they do give us printouts of our weak areas, and we do review those sections. I will practice doing more questions b/c I seem to learn from those more. Thanx, and may God bless you all.

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Wow, I almost thought you were one of my classmates. Our schools pretty much have the same requirements. We also used ATI & meds-pub the whole time we were in the program. I will be taking the exam for the fourth time. My scores were 721, 835, 859. I had one classmate get 899. I think the test is so unfair and doesn't not prove that we aren't ready for boards. Because after all I been though I can take boards tomorrow and pass. Just hang in there and if you have the HESI review book read it again. I found something that I didn't read and it was on the test i took yesterday. My biggest problem is my anxiety I had an attack during the test and that caused me not to pass because i reviewed the test with an instructor and she told me i knew the information i just lost it.

Try to do as many practice questions as you can I hear that is key.

You will need to review maybe your textbook too because HESI will test on things that maybe you didn't get in your classes. After our 2nd attempt we only had a total of 9 pass out of 33. Yesterday we had 16-17 pass and i am happy for them.

Study hard and best wishes.

My spring sem. of my Sr. year we had 2 clinicals (critical care/comm. health), 3 nursing classes (critical care/com. health/nclex rev(something they made up)), and on top of that other classes we had to take to be able to graduate. We also had to do a number of questions for the sem (5000 or more) to be elgible to even take the Hesi Exit exam. I know, I know it's a lot. But i got thru my classes, now time for the exit. Most of the students barely had enough time to even look thru the Hesi nclex review book b/c of the crazy, heavy courseload. When it came time to do the exit, everyone was nervous b/c we really wanted to make it, unfortunately, we only had about 25% of our class pass on the first try. Crazy, right? Going into this exam we as a class felt unprepared b/c this was our 1st encounter w/ Hesi. Other schools have Hesi their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year. We had ATI all our 4 years. We've gotten so used to ATI style that Hesi was just way out there.

So basically, according to our BSN nursing program, you have to pass the exit in 3 tries to obtain your degree. Also, b/c of the size of our school, we were requried to get a 900 or better. If you have failed the test 3 times, you would have to either become a LPN (w/ RN knowledge), or start from scratch. Crazy, huh?:madface:

Now we took the test on our 2nd try, only one has passed, and several others have failed yet again. How can we pass this test? We know we know the information, it's just our test taking skills. What tips could you provide for us students who have taken the test 2 times and about to strike out on the 3rd try? Help, please!:confused:

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

well...i just first want to say...sorry, i think that is crap that you have to pass the hesi in order to graduate. :angryfire esp. considering the hesi has not proved accurate many times on determing success rate on the nclex.>>

i totally agree with this. my school didn't require it to pass the program but did have us take it at the end of the program.

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Specializes in LTC and Med/Surg.

Hey everyone...Update!

It's been almost a year since I last post my issue w/ the Hesi exit exam. No, I have yet to pass this beast! After our 3rd and final try, we fought and fought w/ our school and they agreed to give my class ('06) and the class before ('05) 2 more chance at the HESI exam. They will cover all cost and remediation (review courses). Unfortunately, I did not pass on the first try and with a deadline, I had about 1 month to try again. We need to get 900 or better. I take the test one final time on tomorrow morning (Tues., May 29th). I ask that you guys pray for me and wish me luck. Thank you. Hopefully, I'll be spreading some good news!

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Specializes in med/surg, ortho/neuro, ambulatory surg.

Good luck to you!! Just breathe and take your time

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.
Hey everyone...Update!

It's been almost a year since I last post my issue w/ the Hesi exit exam. No, I have yet to pass this beast! After our 3rd and final try, we fought and fought w/ our school and they agreed to give my class ('06) and the class before ('05) 2 more chance at the HESI exam. They will cover all cost and remediation (review courses). Unfortunately, I did not pass on the first try and with a deadline, I had about 1 month to try again. We need to get 900 or better. I take the test one final time on tomorrow morning (Tues., May 29th). I ask that you guys pray for me and wish me luck. Thank you. Hopefully, I'll be spreading some good news!

Please know that I am praying for you. I KNOW you can do this. Please let me know how it goes.

Hugs,

Jess

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

Is the HESI standardized? I took one on exit from nursing school but there was no review...no courses..no cost...it was thru our school and was not required to pass. R these all the same???

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Specializes in Psych, substance abuse, MR-DD.
Is the HESI standardized? I took one on exit from nursing school but there was no review...no courses..no cost...it was thru our school and was not required to pass. R these all the same???

That's a good question, I wonder if they are all the same. I also had no review or book or courses, in fact I took the HESI exit exam with about 4 hours notice, after my finals, the night before I left for vacation! I got a 962 and yes, I received a printout detailing my scores and areas I need to work on. My school does not require it, but they suggest re-taking it (and you have to pay for it the 2nd time) if you get under 850.

I really don't know that much about the HESI but our director of nursing said it was a good predictor for the NCLEX, who knows. I'm sure hoping so because I don't want to have to take the NCLEX more than once!!!

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