Chapter One: Introduction

CHAPTER ONE:

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to this audio course on preparing for the HESI-A-Two Entrance examination! I will guide you through the course material.

The HESI-A-Two exam is also known as the HESI Admissions Assessment Exam. And by the way, HESI stands for Health Education Systems Incorporated. The test is actually a series of separate exams covering all the topics, rather than just one big test.

You may or may not know that many nursing schools use this exam to screen applicants before accepting them into their programs. Since you’re listening to this course, I assume you’ve decided to pursue a nursing career and you’re getting ready for this exam. Maybe you've found a nursing program you want to enroll in, and they’ve advised you that you must take this exam. Perhaps you’re just thinking about becoming a nurse, and you’re curious about the entry requirements for nursing degree programs. Whatever your reason for taking this course, I want to congratulate you for considering such a potentially rewarding career path — rewarding both financially and emotionally.

Let’s explore a bit about the opportunities that passing these exams can afford you. Of course, the direct result of passing the HESI-A-Two exams is getting into a nursing program. But what about the long term benefits? Suppose you’ve passed the HESI-ATwo and you’ve been accepted into the nursing program of your choice. After completing your studies, you’ll take more exams to determine if you’re ready to become an entry level nurse. The official test required for your actual license to practice as a nurse is the NCLEX: the National Council Licensure Examination. Every state regulatory board requires you to take the NCLEX.

Many nursing schools also use a test to see if you’re ready to take the NCLEX. One such exam is the HESI Exit Exam. This particular test has shown to accurately predict success on the NCLEX with ninety eight percent accuracy. In many, if not most cases, you'll have

to pass the HESI Exit exam to graduate. The content of the exit exam is not the same as that on the HESI-A-Two; it will be based on your specific nursing program curriculum.

As you can tell, I hope, the HESI-A-Two is your gateway to a rewarding nursing career. Passing this exam is only the first of many steps to follow. In this audio course, I'll give you the opportunity to thoroughly learn about all the subject areas on which you will be tested. I’m going to provide you with all the information you need to know as well as some effective study tools.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for registered nurses is growing. In fact, between twenty-twelve and twenty-twenty-two, demand is expected to increase by nineteen percent. As you prepare to enter the nursing field, it’s also important to consider any areas you might like to specialize in. Of course, it’s only natural that you’ll have a better idea about this after completing your nursing program. But it never hurts to give the subject some thought.

Nursing is a field that offers the opportunity for continuous development. You can always expand upon your education and skills and climb the career ladder. With time and experience, you can assume a high level of responsibility on behalf of your patients. Perhaps you may choose to work with specific populations like children or the elderly. Maybe you will choose to specialize in working with patients who suffer from certain conditions like diabetes. Regardless of the path you take, there are always options to develop and refine your expertise.

Listening to this audio course will not just help you prepare for the content of the HESIA-Two exam itself. You will also understand the practical aspects of the format and structure of the test. For example, how you register and schedule an exam date. Once your big day arrives, you’ll be fully prepared.

Now, I want to give you an overview of this course. I will tell you about the content and what you can expect as we go through the material together. Thank you, again, for your interest.