What does this mean???

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I hope someone out there can help me calm down. I just wrapped up my 2nd clinical semester today! I was so glad to make it through pharmacology and med-surg nursing. I made a 98 on my last pharm test, and got a B+ as a final grade for the class (B+ = 91 at my school). I also got a B+ in my med-surg clinical class (lecture + clinical). I felt really good up until today...

My school decided to test using a HESI test. Anyone familiar with these? Well, it was the first time 2nd-clinical-semester students were having to take it and they wanted us all to get 85 or higher. We were completely unprepared, didn't know what to expect, how many questions or anything. My teacher only told us going in that it was set up similar to the NCLEX and that it was supposed to be an indicator of where we stand in our knowledge. Well, I got a 73 and was practically in tears. I've made all A's and B+'s in nursing school so far and have worked so hard to be in the top of my class. My teacher said she was very surprised at my low grade and didn't know why I didn't do well. That's when I started panicking because I explained, I thought the questions were hard! It was more difficult to have to use the computer and not be able to write anything down. Now after having such a good feeling at the end of this semester, I can't help but feel really worried. Does students or teachers have any experience with this and any suggestions?

Thank you,

Spec

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Apparently, there is research showing that HESI is a good predictor of NCLEX performance. Nursing schools love to use HESI to see if their students are prepared.

You mentioned you were in 2nd clinical semester...when do you graduate? I don't think you can wonderfully on the HESI when you haven't had all of the material of nursing school yet. But, with that said, the computer is how NCLEX is administered so it's good to get used to that. HESI should also give you a breakdown of your weak areas and strong areas so look at it as a good suggestion on where to focus with your NCLEX studying.

Bottom line...don't worry about it. Do you take HESI again later in your schooling? We didn't take it until the end of lecture in our final semester...and, even then, many people did NOT score 85 or higher -- yet, my school has a 98% NCLEX pass rate so - go figure.

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Originally posted by PJMommy

Bottom line...don't worry about it. Do you take HESI again later in your schooling? We didn't take it until the end of lecture in our final semester...and, even then, many people did NOT score 85 or higher -- yet, my school has a 98% NCLEX pass rate so - go figure.

Thank you. Yes, this is the first time they've administered it to 2nd-semester clinical students. We actually take one EVERY semester until we graduate, which for me isn't until may 2005.

Thanks again,

Spec

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I made 88% passed my boards but I did take 116 questions and most of the people that made 99.9% passed boards with 75 questions... and the point is we are all RNs today

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Specializes in CICu, ICU, med-surg.
Originally posted by PJMommy

You mentioned you were in 2nd clinical semester...when do you graduate? I don't think you can wonderfully on the HESI when you haven't had all of the material of nursing school yet.

There isn't just one HESI test. My school gives us several different tests over two years with one final big test at the end. They're all HESI, but just cover different areas. For example, this semester (first semester) we took a HESI test on nursing fundamentals, while next semester we take a HESI test on mental health.

To the OP: How did your other classmates do? Since your school just started using the test, it could be that they truly didn't prepare you for it. I would check with your other classmates before getting too upset. At any rate, don't let this get you down. Just keep working hard and you'll do great! Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I just downloaded the sample HESI and took it to get an idea of what it was like. I really wish our school administered this test and I'm going to ask my nursing instructors if they will consider it. I scored a 70% (I just ended my first semester) and it said I have a 73% chance of passing the NCLEX..not too bad for only one semester, huh? LOL....but I think I see how this exam would prepare one for the NCLEX. I have taken plenty of practice exams out of books, but it's different on the computer.

Does anyone know if this is an expensive exam for nursing schools to give? Maybe that's why my school doesn't give it...we're too broke!!! :D

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Originally posted by RNnTraining1973

I just downloaded the sample HESI and took it to get an idea of what it was like. I really wish our school administered this test and I'm going to ask my nursing instructors if they will consider it.

Do you have a link for that? The site I found seemed to require a password.

Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in CICu, ICU, med-surg.
Originally posted by RNnTraining1973

IDoes anyone know if this is an expensive exam for nursing schools to give? Maybe that's why my school doesn't give it...we're too broke!!! :D

I don't know how much it costs the school, but they make us pay a fee for each test we take. It's usually about $15 per test, depending on the length of the test.

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as the NLN exams? The NLN are the ones our school uses and then we will take a big assessment test in the spring to see how well we will do on our NCLEX exam. I was jsut curious if these HESI tests are the same as the NLN exams.

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.
Do you have a link for that? The site I found seemed to require a password

Here you go...it's only a 10 question sample, though! But it does give you an idea of how it works. I'm going to work on getting my instructors to administer this to us at the end of this next semester to give everyone an idea of where they're at.

http://www.myhesitest.com/evalsoft/simcatregform.asp

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I am not in Nursing School yet but there are 2 schools here where you have to pass the HESI with an 80% (I think) to even get into Nursing School.

It has anatomy, chemistry, math, physiology, english, reading, etc on it.

Is that the same HESI you all are talking about? I'm just curious...

Marilyn

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

That is the HESI entrance exam....different from the exit one they administer once you are in nursing school. It's more of a general aptitude than one focused on nursing topics. The HESI website explains the differences between the two.

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