What purpose does the HESI test serve?

[fencikboy]

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.

[Donald11]

The HESI is there to help schools inflate their NLCEX pass scores by ensuring that only the best of the best students are allowed to take it. SCST mentioned that their school gives you 6 shots at the test, but some schools like Lincoln Tech give you as few as 2.

I feel very strongly about these tests and refuse to enroll in any school that uses them. Some will say that this is insane, but schools should not be allowed to pick and choose who gets to become a nurse. If the school won't let me take the NCLEX after passing all my classes due to a low grade on the HESI, fine. But how about you refund my tuition?

[llg, PhD, RN]

Some will say that this is insane, but schools should not be allowed to pick and choose who gets to become a nurse.

I agree that some school mis-use tests such as the HESI. However, society has deemed it important for all such professions (or most of them, at least) have a 2-step process of approval before the person is allowed to practice as a licensed professional. The first step is to graduate from a state-approved school. Schools approved by the state ARE invested by the people of that state with the responsbililty to not only educate people desiring to be a nurse (or physician, etc.), but also of evaluating whether students perform at a level appropriate for that profession. Then the test (NCLEX) documents that certain content has been mastered at a minimal level for patient safety.

So, the school's role in "allowing to pick and choose" is the way society wants it. The public doesn't want a single exam to be enough to give someone a license. Society wants multiple assessments and measures. So, schools are legitimate in their efforts to set standards as to who is allowed to take the NCLEX. That is their proper role in the process. However, I agree that some schools handle that responsibility poorly.

As for expecting your tuition back because you can't pass the final ... A legitimate school does not guarantee a diploma to every student who pays money. Schools provide the opportunity to learn and the credential of a diploma/degree for those students who perform at a level that meets their standard. You pay for the opportunity to learn and for the opportunity to be evaluated by the faculty, judged adequate, and earning the credential. That's the way legitimate education works. The student must earn the credential. But again, I acknowledge that some schools do a better job of teaching than others.