TEXAS RN's: Is HESI harder than NCLEX?

maryloufu · Apr 1, 2008

Yes, I believe HESI is harder.

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Apr 1, 2008

do you need to pass the hesi to graduate? good luck in school .. hang in there

DaMale Nurse · Apr 1, 2008

I passed my NCLEX recently and also took the HESI. For comparison, only 40 of 98 of my class passed the HESI but all but one passed NCLEX the first time around. Although I thought the HESI was harder I passed with a 968 and passed NCLEX in 40 min and 75 questions. The big thing about the HESI is that it's a tool to tell you what to study. I found the questions very similar and saw the HESI as more difficult just because it was longer, not that the questions were worse. There were a few on NCLEX that were quite horrible but most were fairly straight forward. The most important thing is the HESI is a study guide, use it and good luck!

BeachBayNurse · Apr 1, 2008

I think you are definitely at more of a disadvantage with the HESI, you are often taking it before you have graduated. With the NCLEX you have graduated, maybe taken some time off and had weeks to study. I passed the HESI on the first try, however half of my class did not. The amount of time I had to put into study however was ridiculous.

SillyStudent, ASN, RN · Apr 1, 2008

I have lots of friends that failed HESI and passed NCLEX on their first try.

FL NICU RN · Apr 1, 2008

i think the HESI's questions are acutally easier, but its easier percentage-wise to pass the NCLEX. you need like an 80% to pass the HESI and only like a 50% to pass the NCLEX. i took HESIs in school and i just passed my boards. I know of only one who passed the HESI and then failed the NCLEX. most of the ppl in my class who failed the HESI passed the NCLEX on their first try. I think the actually test quetsions are harder on NLCEX, but like i said percentage wise, its easier to pass NCLEX. good luck and hang in there its well worth it. plus HESIs are wonderful practice for NCLEX style questions!!

CrazyScrubNurse, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2008

Yes we do have to pass HESI to graduate. We took it last week for the 1st try. There were only 22 out of 80 at our school that made above the 850. They have 3 weeks to study and take it for the last time and if they can't make an 850 then they don't graduate. The reason our school is doing this is because they only had a 78% pass rate on the last NCLEX so their program is on the line if our class does not have abouve an 80% pass rate. I think it is really sad that instead of teaching what they need to, they expect students to complete all of critical care in 8 weeks, along with a paper and other assignments, and only have one week to study for an exam that is supposed to be harder than NCLEX. You have as much time to study for NCLEX uninterrupted as you need. Why are they doing this to our class? Trust me, we have been through enough.

I made 986 on it and didn't study because I was very sick the entire week before but, to be fair to others, I have worked as a scrub in the OR for 8 years and a nurse tech for 2 before that so I have more experience than a lot in my class and YES it does make a difference.

I am so worried about all of my friends. We have had 2 years of drama and h@ll and some are on the edge of needing to go to the psych ward...not kidding. :uhoh3: I just want to cry for my classmates because through all of this h@ll we have become life family! :cry:

Were in the Houston area.

BebobthefrogFNP · Apr 1, 2008

Courtney1202, I know how your class is feeling.I'm graduating in May, I have passed the Hesi. However, about 22 people out of 89 or 90 (number changes frequently) in my class didn't pass the Hesi; they had 4 times to take it and pass it. My school also has the requirement that you must get an 850 or higher otherwise you get an F in complex care (with preceptorship). These 22 people are allowed to walk, and get pinned but must finish complex care in the summer and graduate (officially) in August.

After the 22 people didn't pass for the fourth time there was much confusion about their future. First of all, you are only allowed to fail 2 nursing classes and after that you can no longer attend my specific nursing school. After having to met with the Dean, some other nursing school administrator, and BSN committee it was decided that they all would get Ds in complex care instead of Fs. They decided this because it would set off red flags if 22 people failed and a D is passing according to the University but not the nursing school (76 is passing). I think it is insane that nursing schools put so much stock in this one test. It also just plain stinks. Sending happy thoughts and strength to all of you studying for the Exit Hesi.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2008

Moved to the Texas Nurses forum. Good luck to you!

NeoNurseTX, RN · Apr 4, 2008

I didn't think either of them were that bad. More people in my school failed HESI first time around than NCLEX.

I passed HESI w/ 99.9% or something and NCLEX w/ 75 questions.

DaMale Nurse · Apr 4, 2008

VENT!

I can't believe that your school requires the HESI. Frankly if they are so bad of teachers. That they can't get almost all of there students to pass the NCLEX what the hell are they teaching in the first place. At my school 96% of there student's pass the NCLEX on the first try! OF 110 students only 4-5 fail the NCLEX. Franky your school needs to take a long hard look at there curriculum not at some stupid test. I hate to say if but NCLEX is MINIMUM passing standard for your license. Every graduate should know what's on the test and if you don't then you need to ask for your money back from your school. Frankly, an student who wants to learn will learn in the hands of a good teacher. ok, I feel better now...