States Who Have Banned HESI

Indy, LPN, LVN · Feb 22, 2010

Maybe, but the urban legend is based on the fervent wish of a whole lot of nursing students.

itsmejuli · Feb 22, 2010

The HESI questions are no different than the NCLEX.

I didn't mind doing the HESI exams, they gave me a clear idea of where I stood in my competency to write and pass the NCLEX the first time.

RNandRRT · Feb 22, 2010

The HESI questions are no different than the NCLEX.
I didn't mind doing the HESI exams, they gave me a clear idea of where I stood in my competency to write and pass the NCLEX the first time.

Yes, but it sounds like a huge waste of time and energy. Wouldn't taking the NCLEX for the first time give you a good idea where you stood?

Just seems pretty redundant for a mandatory item. If it was used just for practice for the NCLEX I would understand.

CuriousMe · Feb 22, 2010

Yes, but it sounds like a huge waste of time and energy. Wouldn't taking the NCLEX for the first time give you a good idea where you stood?
Just seems pretty redundant for a mandatory item. If it was used just for practice for the NCLEX I would understand.

It's used as our (and many other) school's exit exam. The HESI is supposed to be a good indicator for success on NCLEX. Personally, I like it....what's the use in graduating if I can't pass the NCLEX?

elkpark · Feb 22, 2010

What is HESI???? Can someone please clarify? Is it a preliminary exam for nursing school or something like that? Yeah, I'm an OLD nurse--just submitted transcripts, letter describing why I wanted to enter nursing and then an interview with the DON of the nursing school are all I had to do to get in.

I'm not sure how OLD a nurse you mean you are :) -- did you take the NLN exams when you were in school? The HESI exams are what used to be called the NLN exams (there are tests for each of the subject/specialty areas, and cumulative/overall exams that are considered a "warm-up" for the NCLEX, to predict how well you are likely to do).

Some schools use them just as a self-study tool for the students, to help them identify areas in which they are weak and need more study before they attempt the NCLEX, and some schools use them (this is where it gets controversial) as a type of "final exam" for nursing school -- if you don't pass the HESI, you don't graduate, even though you've passed all your courses and met all the school's other requirements. They do this to avoid graduating students who are likely to fail the NCLEX, in order to keep the school's NCLEX first-time pass rate high.

Midwest4me · Feb 23, 2010

the hesi shouldn't be the deciding factor whether students should have the privilage to take the nclex. students who graduated, made sacrifices, put in their blood, sweat, and tears, and passed their classes definitely paid their dues and deserve to take the nclex exam.

i so agree with you; that hesi exam should not be yet another obstacle or hoop through which students need to jump! the mere graduation from a nursing program should be the ticket they need to take the nclex.

RNMeg · Feb 23, 2010

At my school, we take course HESIs at the end of each semester, and a final exit HESI at the end of the program. You get 2 chances to pass the exit HESI, and if you don't, you're required to take the Kaplan Nclex course. You don't have to actually ever pass the HESI to graduate, you just have to take the Kaplan course (which costs $$$$).

want2graduate · Apr 9, 2010

I feel as though Hesi should only as a tool to strengthen your ability to pass NCLEX. It should not be used as a pass of fail. It should be used as a tool to direct you in your areas of weakness and with the schools help get the assistance you need to improve. It's not like you will learn everything you need in the Nursing Program and some of the things I have seen on the Hesi we didn't learn in class. Regardless of how many questions I did. I took Hesi for the third time and failed. Now I am jobless, penniless, degreeless, and I can't use any of my classes to even attempt to get in the PN program. I was told they will take all my nursing classes and use them toward a General Studies degree. I can't do anything with that. I'm depressed and keep beating up on myself. What about the nurses that didn't have to take Hesi??? They find it so easy to dismiss you and that is what they've done to me. I am not stupid. I know I don't test well but I know my stuff. I know several people who cheated with Hesi but failed NCLEX. Why?? because they were lucky enough to find the version on the test that we took but and they were successful but failed NCLEX but guess what they can continue to take NCLEX until they pass. Isn't there suppose to be a shortage in nursing? :nurse:

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2010

Why would states ban Hesi? Don't they write the NCLEX?

Heck no.

HESI is being used by schools to prevent students from graduating that can't pass it...therefore, they can't sit for the NCLEX if they don't have a degree in their hands.

The schools say that the students need to "meet a standard".

However, we all know it's to artificially skew the pass-rates and give the school the best possible shot at increasing their pass rate percentage with the BON's as they make this information public.

It prevents the BON's from identifying and shutting down substandard nursing programs, and frankly, I believe that BON's should not permit the practice at accredited schools.

There is nothing wrong with using HESI as an evaluation tool, but it should not be used to determine who graduates.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2010

It's used as our (and many other) school's exit exam. The HESI is supposed to be a good indicator for success on NCLEX. Personally, I like it....what's the use in graduating if I can't pass the NCLEX?

The problem is, the people making the claim that HESI is a good predictor is the people that are SELLING the program to the schools.

Odd how you can't find independent research to see if there is a correlation.

To me, HESI simply hides a bigger problem: If you get a student that can complete a nursing program with a high GPA and can't pass the NCLEX, then there is a problem with the nursing program, NOT the student.

FLmomof5 · Apr 9, 2010

I agree somewhat with the last post. I cannot comprehend how someone can get a high GPA in a nursing program and be unable to pass the HESI.

We take it every term. I know classmates that don't score well on them...and they are usually struggling to pass the courses as well. For me, my GPA isn't the highest. I work FT in addition to NS. I am content with B's (given that you need an 86 to get a B and a 93 to get an A). When I take the HESI, my scores are always in the 900+ range!

For me, taking the HESI every term and scoring that high gives me comfort. Since the vast majority of those who take the NCLEX pass on the first try and those who score 850+ on the HESI usually pass on the first try, I see this as a great way to measure my own progress. I won't be terrified on the day I take the NCLEX.

CuriousMe · Apr 9, 2010

The problem is, the people making the claim that HESI is a good predictor is the people that are SELLING the program to the schools.
Odd how you can't find independent research to see if there is a correlation.
To me, HESI simply hides a bigger problem: If you get a student that can complete a nursing program with a high GPA and can't pass the NCLEX, then there is a problem with the nursing program, NOT the student.

Is there independent research at all though? It just doesn't seem to be the kind of thing folks are clamoring to study...

How common is it really for a student with a high GPA to not pass the NCLEX?

It seems to me, that not many folks are concerned about how someone with a high GPA will do on the NCLEX....they're more looking at the majority of the bell and the folks to the left of the highest point of curve. So the mean down to the just passing. That's who had trouble passing the exit HESSI in my program...there were just 3 or 4 and they were all squeaking by in the program.