Hesi petition

Published

We believe that it is unfair to count Hesi as part of our official grade because we often have not been exposed to the material in class. If you have this problem at your school, start your own.

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Specializes in psych/dementia.

Not all material will have been covered when you take the NCLEX either. Passing the NCLEX is a whole lot more important than your final grade too!

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I had no problem with my school using ATI exams to determine advancement to the next level of classes. No, the instructors didn't cover everything on each assessment. It isn't their job to teach to the test. Part of Bloom's taxonomy is the cross from application to extrapolation of the data (synthesis).

Did I stress about them? Oh yeah. Did I rant about them? Not really, I was too busy studying so I could do well.

In my program, they wouldn't allow you to take the NCLEX without passing the ATI final assessment.

I'm ok with that. I think nursing schools should be more selective and stringent about who is getting a degree. This isn't like an English major, where the worst thing that could happen is a participle is left dangling. This is life and death.

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Specializes in PACU.

You came here for an opinion from informed professionals, right? You're getting them. You can argue, but I doubt you'll change our minds with little "back atchas" and replies for which we can't tell the stimulus. (Hint: You can use the QUOTE feature to help us out.)

Is that the best you've got? Not convinced yet.

I'm just going to piggyback off of this response because I agree with it 100% and think it brings up a very important point.

If you truly do seek change, and do not simply just want to complain, you are going about it all wrong. An online petition filled with random strangers' signatures is NOT going to change your school's, or any other school's, mentality in regards to the HESI and the emphasis they place on it.

Instead, you need to develop an argument, in writing preferably, where you utilize credible sources and information to support your argument. You then need to reach out to current and past students and get their backing. That is the only way I foresee you getting the change you want and it will not be a quick fix. This means, you will still most likely have to take the HESI but maybe students at your school in the future won't have to. That is, if you truly feel that the HESI should no longer be used for good reasons, and not just because you don't really want to take it.

That is the only way I see you getting what you want. Not from shooting childish remarks back at people who are disagreeing with you, but from developing clear and concise arguments (without name calling, negativity, etc) to show them how they are wrong.

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Specializes in ICU.

We take ATI. We have to score a level 2 on it. It is a part of our final test at the end of each semester. It has not been a big deal for me so far. I think you should put forth your focus on passing HESI tests than getting internet strangers to sign a "petition". Your school will not take you seriously. If you want to make a change, find the right way to do it.

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HESI is not that bad .... Two HESI exams were incorporated into my curriculum; one during the second semester, which was tailored to our program and 10% of our final grade, the second was an exit exam, cumulative for the entire program, also 10% of our final grade. HESI isn't about your knowledge, it's similar to the NCLEX where you need to be able to think critically. It's a beneficial learning tool to help your future success. Instead of spending your time whining about it, study for it, embrace, and utilize it. :)

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I agree with the above statements. We never had HESI, but had to pass ATI Comp Predictor with a certain percentage before we took NCLEX or go to a 2 week remediation course. I don't like the part of it that involves being a major part of your grade, but what I disliked more in school was people who complained about the curriculum. Pull yourself up by the bootstraps. It is what it is.

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing/Rehab.

At my school, we had to take a HESI exam at the end of each class, and a cumulative one at the end of LPN year and RN year. They were NOT counted as part of our class grades. However, we had to score at least 850 on them, or else do some remediation. I was fortunate and did not have to do any remediation, but I think that the ones who did (and took it seriously) benefitted from it. The point is to help us learn what we don't already know so we can be ready for boards! At the end of our RN year, we did the comprehensive HESI exit exam. If we didn't get 850, we had to remediate and take it again. If no 850 that time, remediate more and take it for a 3rd time. Our transcripts are not released until we either pass with 850 or complete taking it the 3rd time (pass or fail.) I think these HESI tests benefitted us, because they were very similar to the NCLEX and gave us lots of practice with that type of testing.

Perhaps you could suggest to your faculty that they use the HESI exams in this way. It was a pretty much all benefit, no down side. They did not affect our GPAs, but we were able to see what we needed work on and do some more studying in those areas. Send me a private message if you want to know the name of my school - we have a good NCLEX pass rate and you could use our program as an example of another way to use the HESI without bringing down GPAs. BTW - we are an Associates Degree program, so I don't know if that would affect your faculty's attitude toward our practices. However, we have a higher 1st time NCLEX pass rate than the 2 BSN programs in my town.

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I am in favor of making the HESI or ATI exams a part of your grades for one simple reason: 90% of a class will skip an "assignment" if it's non-graded. Now in this case they wouldn't skip it but they certainly wouldn't prepare for it because they aren't graded on it any how, and what's the big deal about remediation if it doesn't affect your grade?

Schools have their reputations and students to look after. A school that graduated 90% of their class but only 60% passed NCLEX gets heavy scrutiny from potential students, ACEN, alumni prior to donating, and the BON. It is in their best interest, and yours, to pass only the best onto the NCLEX stage. Giving students a free pass on preparation exams does not achieve this.

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I can understand your frustration. Nursing school in general seems like a never ending series of hoops you have to jump through. I don't think your school's policy will change, but that doesn't mean that you cannot voice your opinion. Talk with your classmates. If enough are willing to join your crusade, write a professional letter and have your classmates (as well as yourself) sign it. Best of luck!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
At my school, we had to take a HESI exam at the end of each class, and a cumulative one at the end of LPN year and RN year. They were NOT counted as part of our class grades. However, we had to score at least 850 on them, or else do some remediation. I was fortunate and did not have to do any remediation, but I think that the ones who did (and took it seriously) benefitted from it. The point is to help us learn what we don't already know so we can be ready for boards! At the end of our RN year, we did the comprehensive HESI exit exam. If we didn't get 850, we had to remediate and take it again. If no 850 that time, remediate more and take it for a 3rd time. Our transcripts are not released until we either pass with 850 or complete taking it the 3rd time (pass or fail.) I think these HESI tests benefitted us, because they were very similar to the NCLEX and gave us lots of practice with that type of testing.

Perhaps you could suggest to your faculty that they use the HESI exams in this way. It was a pretty much all benefit, no down side. They did not affect our GPAs, but we were able to see what we needed work on and do some more studying in those areas. Send me a private message if you want to know the name of my school - we have a good NCLEX pass rate and you could use our program as an example of another way to use the HESI without bringing down GPAs. BTW - we are an Associates Degree program, so I don't know if that would affect your faculty's attitude toward our practices. However, we have a higher 1st time NCLEX pass rate than the 2 BSN programs in my town.

Well said.

We used HESI case studies to prepare for the end of exam we took for NCLEX readiness; it was used as a percentage bonus to our final grade; the last one determined how ready we were for the NCLEX.

I found the HESI very beneficial for class and for NCLEX preparation; although I will say I was always one who enjoyed supplemental work and reading to help me further understand the material.

I think asking your school to make a bonus as a part of the grade would make a beneficial product be more of an incentive, and you get to conquer complex questions which will make high level NCLEX question seem easy-at least it did for me. :D

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So, OP, you have some really good things to consider here. How do you think you might proceed?

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

If you honestly think they will cover EVERYTHING then you are in for a very rude awakening.

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