After carefully thinking about it, I have decided not to do nursing. I do however thank everyone for the advice they gave me. I would like to do nursing, but virtually all of the schools in my area use exit exams, which I find are unfair. The more I research them, the more I dislike them. Here is just one recent article I found, in which the ENTIRE nursing class failed the exit exam. Unbelievable.
"you may want to reconsider...as long as the school has a good NCLEX passing rate it would be worth it. My school did exit exams, and an exam to gauge how we were doing every semester, but they have an over 90% passing rate on the NCLEX...the honest truth is...exit exams are a good gauge because if you can't pass an exit exam you probably won't be able to pass the NCLEX."
If you read some of the posts, many people have done poorly on the HESI but passed the NCLEX. Also, I could not care less what a school's NCLEX pass rate is if they are using an exit exam since the exam does inflate their pass rate by ensuring that only the smartest students take the NCLEX.
Also, believe it or not, but there are plenty of schools out there in which only 1 student graduated and took the NCLEX. And if that 1 student passes, the school has a 100% NCLEX pass rate. If only 1 student took the exam, can you really take the school's 100% pass rate seriously?
I visited a school recently that had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX. I dug up the school's data on the BON website and, out of 30 students, only 4 took the NCLEX for the prior year. There are plenty of schools where I can count the number of students who took the NCLEX on one hand. This is not an exaggeration.
Would the 26 students who did not graduate make bad nurses? Would they all fail the NCLEX? I think it would be hard to answer yes. (and if you do answer yes to these questions, then the school should be shut down ASAP).
I visited a school recently that had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX. I dug up the school's data on the BON website and, out of 30 students, only 4 took the NCLEX for the prior year. There are plenty of schools where I can count the number of students who took the NCLEX on one hand. This is not an exaggeration.
The solution is simple. Don't go to that school. Go to one that has a great reputation, high graduation rate, and high NCLEX pass rate.
If you don't want to be a nurse, don't be one. Don't use an exit exam as an excuse.
I visited a school recently that had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX. I dug up the school's data on the BON website and, out of 30 students, only 4 took the NCLEX for the prior year. There are plenty of schools where I can count the number of students who took the NCLEX on one hand. This is not an exaggeration.
Would the 26 students who did not graduate make bad nurses? Would they all fail the NCLEX? I think it would be hard to answer yes. (and if you do answer yes to these questions, then the school should be shut down ASAP).
I would agree with you on that point. There ARE some absolutely horrendous nursing schools out there. Many (but not all) of the worst have opened up in recent years as for-profit schools have tried to make money off of the much-publicized nursing shortage. Also, the nursing job market was one of the last ones affected by the economic downturn -- and as people were laid off in other professions, many flocked to the nursing field believing it would be a "safe haven" from poor economic conditions.
The net result -- a whole lot of new new nursing programs chasing after those educational dollars. Many of those programs do not have the resources (e.g. experienced, qualified faculty) to do a good job -- and many of those programs aren't too picky about who they admit into their programs. So ... you have borderline students attending new programs that lack experienced, expert faculty. The results should not be surprising.
I agree with the OP on this one point. Prosepective students should avoid programs like that. However, some very good and reputable schools also use exit exams. The problem is bigger than just the exit exam issue. It's much bigger and broader than that.
I find it hilarious how so many people here are defending exit exams. You guys do relaize that the majority of older nurses have not taken them? Exit exams have not always been around, they more or so popped up about 15 years ago. So how do you exit exam supporters argue that the exams are needed to ensure that nurses are competent, when, the fact of the matter is, a substantial numer of nurses have never taken such an exam? My mother graduated from RN school in the early 80s. I asked her if she took an exit exam. She had no idea what I was talking about. I had to explain the test to her.
State standards have probably changed since your mom graduated nursing school....that was almost 30 years ago! In fact, the difficulty of the NCLEX/passing standard has changed several times since then! Our school instituted an exit exam this year because the prior year students did HORRIBLE on the NCLEX and our program director got a little talking to by the state board of nursing. No nursing school wants to be put on probation because a sufficient number of students can't pass the NCLEX on the first try.
If used properly (and I do know that there are some schools that don't use exit exams properly), I see no problem with an exit exam. In fact, I see only benefit. I want to be given the BEST chance to pass the NCLEX on the first try, if that means I need to take an exit exam or take part in a review course, then so be it. Our exit exam was in the form of the ATI predictor. We had to get a certain percentage in order to "pass". It was a slightly complex system, but our school wouldn't let us "fail" the class that the test was required for. We just had to do remediation until they would pass our name onto the board of nursing.
None of us had to worry though, we all passed on the first try!
most schools do require an exit test, like HESI. most require an 850, but my school requires a 900! all students who fail it are usually in between and find it unfair because if they were in another program they would be walking with their friends. however, the exit test shouldn't worry you. it's like a practice NCLEX. you should look at a schools NCLEX pass rate, and not graduating rate. I can see how these students were upset, they spent all their money and time in a program that didn't prepare them properly.
Wow I'm sorry about that!! In our area we have several nursing schools. The two community college programs have the highest NCLEX pass rates, at over 90% passing the first time. However down the street another community college is about to lose its accreditation.
I've always been of the mindset that I will do what I set out to do, regardless of others attempting the same thing. So while I don't think it's a good idea to go to a school where nobody passes, I certainly would not let that stop me if I really wanted to be a nurse. I'd go to a school with a decent NCLEX pass rate and be determined to do whatever was necessary to pass. Who cares if ony 4 out of 26 students take the NCLEX? If all 4 pass, that's good indication that the others could have passed if they had CHOSEN to take the exam.
I agree with a couple of others that it sounds like there are other issues involved in the OPs decision to decline nursing school. My take is that due to those issues, whatever they are, the OP has found the "out" that he was looking for. Plus, I don't understand the need to justify to this community his decision for not going to nursing school. A simple, "After much consideration, I have decided not to become a nurse. Thank you all for your input," would have sufficed if he felt a need to post at all. There are many good reasons for not becomming a nurse and no one should have to justify them. I just find the OPs reason for not becomming a nurse kind of absurd.
Hey, OP. Just as a little something to think about...have you considered using your interests (helping people, sciences, steady work, etc.) and redirecting them into something like the Forensic Sciences? Fascinating work, if you enjoyed your labs at all, and an extraordinary amount to learn as well to keep you challenged and never bored, and the service to the community is invaluable.
Don't worry, I'm not some weird recruiter. Just someone who has had her interests redirected, as well.
I am taking my last statistics prereq class, having finished everything else. But, I realized something in my Microbiology class. Everyone, for the entire school year, told me horror stories about Micro and how hard it is, the work load is crazy, whatever. It was the best class I'd taken! The detective work involved in incorporating information to deduce what you were dealing with, the precision of the work, the opportunity to work alone or with a great group of people, ALL of it cooperative - it just seemed like it would be a better fit for me. And now I'm excited to be scheduled to take a series of computer and physical exams for deputy sheriff, with a focus on Criminal Investigations.
Your brain and critical thinking skills are tested constantly, and the field is changing in a number of ways as forensic scientists and veteran investigators develop new tools and methods for evidence gathering and interpretation - the opportunities to apply your experiences, education, and interests abound.
PLUS, sheriffs tend to be assigned duties that support the community and normally do not involve the two most dangerous situations for a law enforcement officer - domestic disputes and traffic stops.
Just throwing that out there for what it's worth...
Good luck to you!!
PS - Forgot to say my original focus for nursing school was to graduate with a degree in Advanced Practice Forensic Nursing, so my interest in helping trauma/rape/abuse victims as well as liaise between officers and the health community was already established. Thanks for reading :)
Specializes in OR 35 years; crosstrained ER/ICU/PACU.
Doctors are not interested in nurses catching their mistakes. I have 6 doctors in my family and many of them are not big fans of nurses. My cousin wrote up a nurse for calling him by his first name instead of doctor. True story.
To say doctors aren't interested in nurses catching their mistakes IS a big mistake. I've never, in 32 years, had a doc get mad at me for catching an error, or suggesting a treatment or medication. If anything, they're glad we're on our toes! Hey, we're on the same side here!! The trick is to be diplomatic about it: how you say it is everything. I had one old doc whom I had to make everything sound like it was his idea, before he'd write the order!! And all of the residents I work with know they need to listen to what we say, & learn from it. I think this increases the respect they eventually will have as attendings themselves some day! So let your cousin know I think he's way too into himself if he can't be on a first name basis with some nurses; many of us are, and we even socialize (OMG!!!) with each other on a regular basis! Get a life , Doc! You need us!!!!
To Spiker, nice to read something positive about doctors. Oh, I've had more than my fair share of first-hand experiences with egotistical, even abusive (yes, abusive), doctors, as well as wonderful experiences with doctors who still care and listen to their patients.
It's good to read of your cooperative experiences as it makes us future patients feel oh so much better...
Specializes in OR 35 years; crosstrained ER/ICU/PACU.
NurseNed: thanks for the walk down Memory Lane! I graduated from college in 1979, while raising 2 kids. The NY state board exam was a 2-day affair, given in a huge non-air conditioned exhibition hall at the State Fair Grounds. We took 5 different exams over the 2 days, & went through many #2 pencils! A trip to the restroom was a major security issue - leave your pencil, purse, & exam (of course) on the desk, & a proctor had to "go" with you! By the end of the 2 days you had writer's cramp, stiff legs, a headache, etc. But we all survived & passed on the first try! Now I'm looking at retirement in a few years, also. I also was a Paramedic for 12 years, when my kids were in college, as a supplemental income; More tests! AND, we had to recertify every 3 years!!! It's like taking boards, & practicals, all over again! We're lucky in nursing to only have to pass the licensure exam once!
And to the people who say that FINAL exams are the "exit exam" please understand that final exams are a joke compared to a comprehensive exit exam like the HESI. On the final, you are only tested on material you learned in that one class. That's it. You are not tested on 2 or 4 years worth of material liek you are on the exit exam.
OMG.....I for one am glad not going to be becoming a nurse. I'd hate to have my life in the hands of the nurse that doesn't think it's right or relevant to have to remember 2 to 4 years worth of information. Being a nurse involves constantly learning....AND constantly being tested....every patient, every day!!
To say doctors aren't interested in nurses catching their mistakes IS a big mistake. I've never, in 32 years, had a doc get mad at me for catching an error, or suggesting a treatment or medication. If anything, they're glad we're on our toes! Hey, we're on the same side here!! The trick is to be diplomatic about it: how you say it is everything. I had one old doc whom I had to make everything sound like it was his idea, before he'd write the order!! And all of the residents I work with know they need to listen to what we say, & learn from it. I think this increases the respect they eventually will have as attendings themselves some day! So let your cousin know I think he's way too into himself if he can't be on a first name basis with some nurses; many of us are, and we even socialize (OMG!!!) with each other on a regular basis! Get a life , Doc! You need us!!!! 
Donald11
187 Posts
"you may want to reconsider...as long as the school has a good NCLEX passing rate it would be worth it. My school did exit exams, and an exam to gauge how we were doing every semester, but they have an over 90% passing rate on the NCLEX...the honest truth is...exit exams are a good gauge because if you can't pass an exit exam you probably won't be able to pass the NCLEX."
If you read some of the posts, many people have done poorly on the HESI but passed the NCLEX. Also, I could not care less what a school's NCLEX pass rate is if they are using an exit exam since the exam does inflate their pass rate by ensuring that only the smartest students take the NCLEX.
Also, believe it or not, but there are plenty of schools out there in which only 1 student graduated and took the NCLEX. And if that 1 student passes, the school has a 100% NCLEX pass rate. If only 1 student took the exam, can you really take the school's 100% pass rate seriously?
I visited a school recently that had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX. I dug up the school's data on the BON website and, out of 30 students, only 4 took the NCLEX for the prior year. There are plenty of schools where I can count the number of students who took the NCLEX on one hand. This is not an exaggeration.
Would the 26 students who did not graduate make bad nurses? Would they all fail the NCLEX? I think it would be hard to answer yes. (and if you do answer yes to these questions, then the school should be shut down ASAP).