What purpose does the HESI test serve?

CoffeemateCNA · May 13, 2010

Many schools don't want to "screw up" their pass rates for the NCLEX.

They set a high bar for the HESI because they don't want people who are statistically less likely to pass the NCLEX to be allowed to take it.

...if that makes any sense.

llg, PhD, RN · May 13, 2010

The HESI (and similar tests) provide information for both the student and the school. It's up to the individual student and school to decide how they will use that information.

For example: A student who does poorly on the HESI in the middle of her program can take it as a warning sign that she is at high risk for failing the NCLEX. She can choose to use that information to motivate her to work harder to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to improve her test performance. She might choose to take a course (or courses) in test taking, work to gain a better mastery of her class material, etc. -- in other words, get some help before she graduates so that she can improve her chances of success. ..... OR ... that student can ignore that information and do nothing to increase her chances of success later.

A school can use the class performance as a whole to assess it's performance -- perhaps choosing to change its teaching methods and/or course requirements if the students as a group perform poorly on the HESI. They can choose to force students who perform poorly to do some remedial work before moving to the level of school, etc.

Schools can also use the test as "final exam" that must be passed in order to graduate. They can insist that a student pass the HESI (or similar test) before certifying for the State Board that the student has met the standards for graduation. This is the most controversial use of the such tests as it can be argued that student deficiencies should have been discovered and dealt with long before the end of the last semester.

RNTutor, BSN, RN · May 15, 2010

Schools can also use the test as "final exam" that must be passed in order to graduate. They can insist that a student pass the HESI (or similar test) before certifying for the State Board that the student has met the standards for graduation. This is the most controversial use of the such tests as it can be argued that student deficiencies should have been discovered and dealt with long before the end of the last semester.

It certainly is controversial!

And in the end, research studies have shown that students who do well on the HESI are more likely to pass NCLEX. Which is why the nursing schools use HESI to improve their NCLEX pass rate.

SAHMStudent · May 16, 2010

My school (to it's detriment IMO) does not have admission tests. My program uses 6 core classes GPA and overall GPA as well as completed co-reqs in determining entrance. I have been told that the reason we have started using the HESI is to demonstrate to the school and the board that people doing poorly on the HESI should not have gained acceptance into the program. A test for entrance would weed these people out. Our NCLEX rate is not as high as other similar programs in the state; we have excellent instructors, difficult tests, and great clinical sites. Why do we have such low NCLEX rates? The HESI is the first step in getting an entrance test.

I also personally believe, that as a product put out by ELSEVIER, there is a bit of "selling-out" going on. The state boards require nothing more than a fee (correct me if I'm wrong); EVOLVE and their HESI requires a fee each semester (at least at my school) and the fact that the test is NOT standardized by state, the way the boards are makes me ever more suspicious.

Intern67 · May 16, 2010

Hello, Can anyone tell me why schools give the HESI test? .

My first guess is that somebody makes a lot of money off it.

My school claims the HESI test is a good predictor of NCLEX success. It can also give a program an idea of how they are doing opposed to other programs. My program doesn't use it to pass or fail people. 20 points out of 400 theory points were HESI tests.

It looks like other schools use HESI to prevent students from graduation and thus hurting their NCLEX pass rate.

RNTutor, BSN, RN · May 16, 2010

My first guess is that somebody makes a lot of money off it.

:rolleyes: Lol, oh how true that is...

JenniferSews · May 16, 2010

As other's have said, it artificially improves their NCLEX pass rates by failing out the students who don't do well enough on HESI.

CuriousMe · May 16, 2010

I posted this in another thread, but I'll say it again here. While it is of course true that denying graduation to students who don't pass a final HESI does protect the school's NCLEX %.

From my understanding, it's common to allow students multiple attempts at passing HESI, and ELSEVIER, via EVOLVE provides metrics on what a student's weak areas are and provides remediation coursework to improve. So, it should also assist students in passing their NCLEX on the first try.

SCSTxRN · May 16, 2010

To protect NCLEX pass rates. 99% of my school's graduates pass NCLEX. 59% of people who start the nursing program become RN's. There are a total of 6 chances to pass before you wasted the last three years of your life.

Jacque, RN-BSN · Aug 10, 2010

The HESI is used as a predictor for students who will pass the NCLEX. Say if you score a 900 on the HESI, you have a 90% chance of passing the NCLEX or if you score a 500, you have a 50% chance. The test is most definitely not used to make money. And it is true that it helps with pass rates, but for the student's benefit. The test breaks down your weak areas so you can see where you are lacking. It is up to the student how they will use the information. The HESI is based on the NCLEX test plan which is super helpful for NCLEX candidates. I was having difficulty passing the NCLEX and finally took a review class that broke down the areas where I was weak. My areas were OB and L&D. After I was able to see where I was lacking, I was able to focus on those areas, and I passed the NCLEX the next time. Trust me, you would be better off paying the $40 to take the HESI, than a repeat of the NCLEX that costs $200.

Nurse-One · Aug 10, 2010

Hello, Can anyone tell me why schools give the HESI test? I just passed my mid-curricular HESI and I am looking forward to second year. At out school, if you fail the exit HESI, you are not able to take the NCLEX (you have two chances to take the HESI). However, our graduating class just took the HESI with horrible results. Out of 110 students, 49 failed (the results were not much better last year).
I guess what I am asking is, since the HESI test has been given, have better nurses been produced? Has the HESI test actually "weeded" out the bad students? Is the NCLEX test not enough anymore? Why is it that each school gets to pick their own passing grade? I just feel that this test has been handed to us without being told what the benefits are to the test or why schools give the test.

any test required to enter into nursing school or exit nursing school, i believe is to weed out the "weak" ones.

more like if you really want this, you'll have to lose sleep, lose/gain weight, lose family time....lose, lose, lose.

the NCLEX should be enough! when I took the NCLEX it was NOT as hard as those other exams that i had to take in school, it's so stupid what they make someone go through just for a freaking LPN, RN license.

too many individuals want to become nurses now-a-days. AND THE MOST ANNOYING PART IS GRADUATING BY BUSTING YOUR BEHIND STUDYING AND PASSING JUST TO GO OUT TO THE WORK FIELD THINKING YOU'LL FIND WORK CAUSE IT "NURSING AND NURSES ALWAYS HAVE A JOB" BUT FINDING A JOB IS LIKE FINDING A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK. Even experienced nurses with YEARS under their belt cannot find a job. NURSING IS NOT WHAT I READ IT TO BE BACK IN THE DAY:down: