Of course a test cannot be described as an imprudent or immoral female. Or can it? From a handful of nursing students each academic term, it probably could be described in such a way, and I may be an instigator to this definition.
On February 27th, I fell victim to the HESI for the first time. And I almost escaped her wrath. It was like the recent Penguins- Flyers Game 1 of the playoffs. I thought I had defeated her, but she came back and beat me by inches (refer to this video for a visual http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcXoSYK8mn0&feature=player_embedded-- I'm the racer with the flailing arms that takes second).
The HESI is typically scored out of 1500 points. It is 160 questions and is cumulative of all the possible topics learned in nursing school- also known as a comprehensive exam. Each school expects a certain score, which correlates with a percent rate of passing the NCLEX. Pitt requires an 850, which guarantees a 92-94% pass rate for the nursing boards.
This test is difficult to study for since the body of knowledge from which the questions are picked from is so extensive. There are, however, strategies they teach you to improve your score. You are supposed to pick out key words in the question, read the entire question, read all the answers, and make your decision based on what information best refers to and opens what the keys of the questions are looking for. It is also helpful to eliminate answers you know aren't right to increase your probability of choosing the best answer.
With all these tricks in mind, the results still did not quite pan out the way I had hoped. On my first attempt I hesitantly clicked submit, answer 160, to find the score of 846 on the screen. My first thought was "you're kidding me". I had spent almost the full 4 hours allowed for the exam and had gotten so close (was one question away) from a glorious accomplishment. Pure frustration, disappointment, and agony set in.
I hadn't hit the benchmark, nonetheless. And so came my second attempt, which was preceded with more case studies, practice questions, and practice exams/quizzes. While the second exam took less time, and I tried to spend less time second guessing my answers, I still managed to fail; 790, even lower than my last score. This test was more difficult with more specific disease processes and required interventions. I felt so unaccomplished and incompetent. How had I done so poorly? This was a test I needed to pass to pass nursing school, according to my professors, but if I am not passing, what does that mean?
Initially, to me, it meant that I was not capable enough to be a nurse. That I hadn't studied hard enough, wasn't smart enough, or didn't have the devotion to becoming what I had hoped to be for the last four years. The nursing school tends to make this test seem like the precipice in the determination of your nursing knowledge.
After hours of contemplation, disappointment, and studying, I realized that this is not at all the case. This test is an important preparation tool for the test that really matters. After a meeting with my professors after not satisfactorily passing the third and final attempt of the exam, I was assured of this even more. This test now means, to me, that some people are simply not good test takers. This test also showed me that the HESI is difficult! It must be if getting a little over half the answers right means you are over 90% likely to pass the nursing liscensure examination.
It is that way for a reason though, and I am so thankful that I was required to attempt this test 3 times, because in the end, the hours I spent studying and the hours I spent reviewing will all lead to a more successful outcome when a lot of money is involved, and my license is on the line in the NCLEX.
So, to any HESI test takers that are reading this: do not be discouraged. This test is your friend, although it seems incredibly intimidating, and immoral, and imprudent at times. It is here to help you succeed. Much like your nagging parents, it wants what is best for you in the end, despite all the transient obstacles it may divert you with in the meantime. Keep your head up.
No comments:
Post a Comment