I passed the HESI and only studied for a week!!!

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What I did....

I realized that I didn't know it all about everything. So I had come up with test taking techniques and used them to answer the questions and passed.

HESI is really NOT as hard as everyone says, at least I thought it wasn't. I will type up my test taking techniques that I used for anyone who will find it helpful.

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i am preparing to apply to a nursing program and i will be taking the HESI. I am in need of all pointers. Would you recommend buying a study guide? i would like to see your notes too.

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I'll take a copy of them too if you don't mind. Please send me a pm.

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Specializes in AA&I, research,peds, radiation oncology.
What I did....

I realized that I didn't know it all about everything. So I had come up with test taking techniques and used them to answer the questions and passed.

HESI is really NOT as hard as everyone says, at least I thought it wasn't. I will type up my test taking techniques that I used for anyone who will find it helpful.

Congratulations SoSimplyMe!!! :yeah:

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Ok, this is in regards to the HESI exit exam. I am not sure what the HESI entrance exam is exactly comprised of.

Also, I did do the HESI 1200 questions as well as evolve questions.

These are the test taking tips that I came up with while doing the HESI 1200 questions and evolve questions and after reading the rationales.

First and foremost you will be presented with a question and in the question you want to identify the patient or client, the problem, and what can be done to sovle the problem.

So here are some helpful tips:

1. When asked for PRIORITY nursing diagnosis, if unfamiliar with the disease process choose the most critical (Think in regards to the ABCs).

2. Remember ABCs

3. When an assessment is abnormal in comparison to what is usually considered normal, it is essential to compare to the patient's specific history because it may be normal for that patient.

4. Read each question thorougly and take for value

A. Don't add things that are NOT there

B. Don't make assumptions.

5. When asked what should the nurse do, even if priortiy is not listed in the question, choose what is the priority decision based on the patient and/or problem presented.

6. Do not second guess yourself, go with your first instinct.

7. Act first in some instances prior to calling the doctor. You have to basically think in the mind frame that you are actually the nurse. So in some instances you may have to perform an assessment first or provide some type of intervention prior to calling the doctor because the doctor may ask have you done this, or have you done that.

8. Correlate the answer to the question. If the answer does not relate to the question ELIMINATE

9. Some things are based on protocol, so do not do anything that you would need permission to do w/o prior instruction. Such as giving a specific medicaiton that is not on the patient's MAR. If it is a PRN medication that is than that is different, of an emergency medication. However, if it does not fit that description usually it shouldn't be done. Therefore, do not give medications that have not been prescribed unless it is an antidote for another medication, a PRN, or emergency medication in the case of an emergency.

10. When should the nurse report to the physician. If it is something that is NOT EXPECTED of a particular disease process. If it is a normal symptom of a disease process it is not necessary to call the doctor because it is expected. Such as with diabetes if a patient has a BG of 130 and he is diabetic then the doctor does not need to be called, or if the patient suffers from heart failure and has pedal edema that too is specific to that disease process. However if it is something critical such as the patient with heart failure having an O2 saturation of 80% that should be reported. Or the patient with diabetes having a Cr level of 2.7 would be a problem and should be reported.

11. When asked about side effects of drugs and you are not familiar with the side effects of that specific drug think of drug action....what does the drug do.

12. Eliminate like answers.

13. If asked about things to report about drugs, report things that are atypical. It is not necessary to report the normal side effects. You would want to more so report the severe adverse reactions.

Read the question thoroughly before looking at the answers and read carefully.

**Know the normal ranges for lab values

**Remember the ABCs

I hope someone will find these tips helpful. These are just a few that I used. I would continue to do questions, to become familiar with the style of questions that are on the test. I'm not saying just reading these tips alone will help you pass the test, because everyone is different. And I'm not suggesting that you risk studying for only a week like I did. You may want to purchase some test taking books or if your school provides a test taking skills class register.

Thanks!

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I don't think that patting yourself on the back for not trying is a good mentality to take into Nursing school. The entrance Hesi isn't that hard. But Nursing and Nursing school is guys.

Sorry if it upsets you, but I wouldn't want a student nurse like that taking care of anyone in my family. And those aren't your own test taking teqs, those are the ones they give out in a Hesi review course.

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I don't think that patting yourself on the back for not trying is a good mentality to take into Nursing school. The entrance Hesi isn't that hard. But Nursing and Nursing school is guys.

Sorry if it upsets you, but I wouldn't want a student nurse like that taking care of anyone in my family. And those aren't your own test taking teqs, those are the ones they give out in a Hesi review course.

Excuse me ma'am or sir. First and foremost, I did not get those test taking techniques from a HESI review course because I never attended a HESI review course. I did practice questions and came up with THOSE tips from the rationales. And if they are similar to what is in the HESI review course then that is good for me, because I obviously mastered test taking techniques on my own.

Secondly this is the EXIT exam. Meaning I am preparing to graduate this May with my BACHELOR'S OF SCIENCE IN NURSING. (Congrats to ME!!! :):lol2:)

I obviously did not have to try THAT much since I went and passed the test on my FIRST attempt indicating that I will more than likely pass the NCLEX on my first attempt suggesting accordingly that I meet the MINIMUM standards to practice as registered nurse.

Everyone is different just because I did not study for weeks does not mean I did not try. I studied in one week and passed meaning I obviously KNEW the content and how to apply it.

I did not pass by luck or chance because the HESI is not a test of chance or luck.

And it doesn't upset me at all, it makes me laugh because it is so left field. I'm patting myself on the back because I actually KNEW my stuff and was able to apply what I knew and the techniques that I developed on my own to master the test and PASSED and because of that I will be graduating and don't have to worry about taking it again. And I'm OBVIOUSLY a well prepared nursing student and soon to be nurse. And the school I attend has a very rigorous program. And yes I will pat myself on the back again because everyone saying this test was so hard and many people let the test conquer them through fear of what they heard, and I conquered IT.

Keep in mind this is the EXIT exam. So ma'am or sir, I don't know what you are speaking on because I specified that earlier. And being that this is an EXIT exam, I do believe that one should have knowledge of what they have learned through the previous semesters and the fact that I did not have to study for the whole winter break like many of my counter parts who still failed speaks for itself.

And nursing school is only what you make it.

Thanks!!!!

YOU are funny. Because you obviously are finding nursing school hard and it's probably because you don't READ and perhaps jump to conclusions with prejudgment and analyze incorrectly. Because you obviously did not read my post, and you ASSUMED that I did not come up with my own test taking techniques!!!

Good luck to you in nursing school though. And you don't have to worry about I myself taking care of you, or any of your children. (Boo hoo)

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Also I did state previously that it is not idea for everyone. Because everyone is different. I'm just baffled really. I don't understand how I did not work hard but went and passed the exit exam?!?! that everyone states is SOOOO hard.

Also, I don't know what the HESI entrance exam is like because I did not take it and could not even offer any advice, and I'm not going in with any mentality INTO nursing school. I'm LEAVING nursing school with the mentality that I KNOW MY STUFF and I AM READY TO BE A NURSE. :D:idea::)

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Specializes in 0 as RN, 3 in ICU and Tele as Tech.

I just wanted to say congrats to you for passing on your first try!! :yeah::yeah: Hesi is hard and for you to have passed it on your first attempt it says you did know your material. I would pat myself on the back too, because if anyone has ever took Hesi, they would know that it's not something that you can really study for- either you know the material or you don't. Preparation is based on your current knowledge and how you apply the knowledge you have been taught. Sometimes even the review course and the Hesi Exit Prep book is not helpful.... Good luck to you and congrats on your upcoming graduation :clown:

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Specializes in Transplant, LVAD, cardiac.

Congrats to you! I'm still waiting for acceptance to nursing school (hopefully will hear next month or April), but I hear the exam is quite difficult. I think I might print off your study tips and keep them for future reference. I'm a good test taker (studied for HESI A2 for about a day and made a 97), but I like to have some focus when I start studying. Thanks for posting!

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I really envy you for being a gook test taker. Would you like to share your test taking skill strategies. I am taking the HESI entrance exam next week. I'm hoping to pass the exam for the first time. Was there a lot of questions on Chemistry and Biology? Please Help.

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Ok, this is in regards to the HESI exit exam. I am not sure what the HESI entrance exam is exactly comprised of.

Also, I did do the HESI 1200 questions as well as evolve questions.

These are the test taking tips that I came up with while doing the HESI 1200 questions and evolve questions and after reading the rationales.

First and foremost you will be presented with a question and in the question you want to identify the patient or client, the problem, and what can be done to sovle the problem.

So here are some helpful tips:

1. When asked for PRIORITY nursing diagnosis, if unfamiliar with the disease process choose the most critical (Think in regards to the ABCs).

2. Remember ABCs

3. When an assessment is abnormal in comparison to what is usually considered normal, it is essential to compare to the patient's specific history because it may be normal for that patient.

4. Read each question thorougly and take for value

A. Don't add things that are NOT there

B. Don't make assumptions.

5. When asked what should the nurse do, even if priortiy is not listed in the question, choose what is the priority decision based on the patient and/or problem presented.

6. Do not second guess yourself, go with your first instinct.

7. Act first in some instances prior to calling the doctor. You have to basically think in the mind frame that you are actually the nurse. So in some instances you may have to perform an assessment first or provide some type of intervention prior to calling the doctor because the doctor may ask have you done this, or have you done that.

8. Correlate the answer to the question. If the answer does not relate to the question ELIMINATE

9. Some things are based on protocol, so do not do anything that you would need permission to do w/o prior instruction. Such as giving a specific medicaiton that is not on the patient's MAR. If it is a PRN medication that is than that is different, of an emergency medication. However, if it does not fit that description usually it shouldn't be done. Therefore, do not give medications that have not been prescribed unless it is an antidote for another medication, a PRN, or emergency medication in the case of an emergency.

10. When should the nurse report to the physician. If it is something that is NOT EXPECTED of a particular disease process. If it is a normal symptom of a disease process it is not necessary to call the doctor because it is expected. Such as with diabetes if a patient has a BG of 130 and he is diabetic then the doctor does not need to be called, or if the patient suffers from heart failure and has pedal edema that too is specific to that disease process. However if it is something critical such as the patient with heart failure having an O2 saturation of 80% that should be reported. Or the patient with diabetes having a Cr level of 2.7 would be a problem and should be reported.

11. When asked about side effects of drugs and you are not familiar with the side effects of that specific drug think of drug action....what does the drug do.

12. Eliminate like answers.

13. If asked about things to report about drugs, report things that are atypical. It is not necessary to report the normal side effects. You would want to more so report the severe adverse reactions.

Read the question thoroughly before looking at the answers and read carefully.

**Know the normal ranges for lab values

**Remember the ABCs

I hope someone will find these tips helpful. These are just a few that I used. I would continue to do questions, to become familiar with the style of questions that are on the test. I'm not saying just reading these tips alone will help you pass the test, because everyone is different. And I'm not suggesting that you risk studying for only a week like I did. You may want to purchase some test taking books or if your school provides a test taking skills class register.

Thanks!

I am in Chicago and I applied to the nursing program here, I am waiting on my acceptance/denial letter. I really want to congratulate on having the gift of good test taker. Some of us are not too good test takers and need to study many hours when people like you only need a few! I want to thank you for your tips. They make a lot of sense to me. I will definitely copy those. And just remember that there is a lot of people that are not going to agree with us in life and thats ok, (reffering the previous post that states that you tool those tips from a book) whats important is to help people and you deffinetly have helped me :) Thank you!

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