How did you prep and were you successful?

I took HESI a month before graduation from my 4 year program. I scored a 1180 by reviewing parts of the Saunders book and another Med-Surg review book (can't remember the name right now). I was a B-C nursing student but passed HESI with very little effort/studying.

I took NCLEX 3 months after graduation. I read the entire Kaplan book, took all the practice tests, and did 1/2 of the online question bank questions. I skipped the Kaplan med chapters (too much info) and bought a small med study flip book with cards for each type of med (Beta-blockers, Ca channel blockers, etc). For meds I learned the important information for each category, and then the names of the common meds in that category. It worked out perfectly for the NCLEX- if you know the type of drug it is, then you can figure out what the question is looking for. I made notecards with the lab values and memorized them by going through the cards twice a day for 1 month.

I passed NCLEX on the first try, 75 questions. I was out of there in a little less than an hour. No calculations, no alternative question formats, around 10 med questions. 60-75% of my test was patient teaching questions and priority questions.

Looking back, I don't think it is so much what you study (the program) as it is that you understand what you are really trying to accomplish in preparing for the exam. When you do the questions make sure you understand WHY the right answer is the right answer, and not just memorize the information. The more questions you do, you will start to see patterns and relationships in the correct answers.

First, you need the basic nursing knowledge. What areas are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What classes did you have trouble with the content? Make sure you review the material for those topics. Second, where do you have difficulty answering the question? Is it difficult to figure out the topic? Is it that you don't have the nursing knowledge? Is it that you are not used to the language? Figure out what the problem is, and use that to help you study. Memorization alone will not help you pass.

The questions on NCLEX are killer (at least they were for me). But with a general idea of what they were asking, looking for answers that seemed to "fit the trend" of what they were looking for, and being able to disect the question down into manageable bites I was able to get through it.

Research what the test will be like. Go to your BNE website, go to Pearson's website, and go to the NCLEX website. Take several hours to review how the test works, what it is looking for, and the format of the questions. Understand the "grading" system and the levels of questions, and understand why you can get the number of questions you do. You can also take the tutorial BEFORE you go take the NCLEX so you can skip right through that part and save yourself about 8-10 minutes.

Even more important- just relax. Close your eyes, breathe, and relax. Panic will not help you, throwing up (like two of the students I took the test with) doesn't help either. Relax, breathe, focus, and just do the absolute best you can. I don't think that you can ever reach a point where you feel 100% ready for the exam. You worked super hard for your degree, and now all you have left is to walk in, press a few buttons on a computer, and it will all be over with- you will have reached your goal.

Good luck!

armykitten was impressive! that was helpful! anyway, im still prepping requirements to pass to Cal BON for NCLEX. i have more than enough time to prep for NCLEX. comments here do alleviate anxiety in facing NCLEX. thanks a bunch to everyone! now, let me flip on the first page of my NCLEX reviewer..

ArmyKitten..I am getting ready to take the exit Hesi, and I am worried. I was using Saunders, & doing really well on the tests. I then took a practice Hesi test, and did not do so well. It seems like the Hesi is just so far out there...and it is very difficult to find the right answer even if you know the material. I may be getting just a little stressed Any advice you might have on the Hesi would be appreciated. I have 3 days until the test so I don't know if I should keep using Saunders & forget Hesi practice test or visa versa.

Those HESI practice questions are insane. Are you talking about the case studies online? Or the ones in the book? I don't know anyone that did well on the practice HESI questions. The actual test is easier, IMO. Get Saunders or Mosby or another review book to use- the HESI stuff isn't very good. Our school had a so-so pass rate on HESI using the HESI materials. For our class they told us not to use the HESI products, and our pass rate was 90%.

Lord that is good to hear! I have the Hesi book & CD. I stink on those practice tests. I have always used Saunders & can tear those questions up....but the Hesi CD. I have to score a 900 on the exit test & I was about to croak if the actual test was anything like the practice stuff. Ok I am not going to look at the Hesi book anymore!!! I take my test tomorrow (Friday 4/7). Please say a prayer for me!!! yes I am a little stressed! Thanks!

Im glad to hear that im not the only one who is having trouble with HESI!!! I did not do that great on the HESI CD either. What saunders book are you studying from. Im trying to find other material besides HESI any help would be greatly appreciated! THANKS :)

I am applying for the RN program and they are requiring to take this HESI test before you can actually get in. I don't know what to expect. I'm an LVN right now and did well on my NCLEX exam. I'm thinking I maybe should go over my Saunders Q&A. I dunno, what should I do to better prepare myself for this HESI test?

materials I used, kaplan test builder , saundes's comprehensive review 8 rounds , saunder's cd 2 rounds, lippincott review by billings 4 rounds, ncsbn review on line. I had 75 q's and passed.

I scored a 1050 on the HESI and did nothing to prepare for it other than study for finals (took it the day after finals).

For the NCLEX, I used Saunders, Mosby's, Lipincott books, etc....I also took a Hurst review. I had a 2002 version of Kaplan which I read and answered the questions in the back. I probably did during my schooling and then post preparing for NCLEX over 6,000 questions. Just for NCLEX, I probably did well over 2500 questions.

I passed with 75 questions in 45 mins. For me, Kaplan and the HESI were just like the NCLEX.

Hi Armykitten,

What would you recommend in my situation? I am in my first semester of a two-year AS program in Registered Nursing. I have always been an A or B student but I'm finding that the HESI based questions on our exam are killing me no matter how much I study. We also have to take a mini-HESI at the end of each of our semesters. I think I need a tool to help me get more familiar with the structure of the questions. I'm so frustrated. Would one of the HESI review books be a good tool for my situation? Which one?