ATI- What do you think?

ChocoholicRN · Oct 13, 2007

Hi,
I have a question and would to hear others thoughts on the ATI Course of study. My sister scored low on these tests but still passed her boards. Then I had a friend that had a 99.9 percent chance to pass her boards predicted by ATI and she failed. What do you think of the ATI course and their predictions if you pass or fail your boards? How well does their course prepare you for boards or is Saunders better?
Jean

My school held a 3 day live ATI review course for us at the end of our program. The actual review was very helpful and I learned a lot of useful tricks, but the course of study the suggested did not seem good to me. They suggested that, based on our comprhensive test that we did earlier in the semester, we focus on our weak areas. Each week should be a different area, such as OB, Peds, Psych, etc. and at the end of each week we should do their 60Q test. For pharm, they suggested making notecards for ALL the prototypes (theirs TONS!!) and then studying those. I know notecards work for some but to me it felt like a waste of time. At the end of week 1, I made up my own study plan. Using the Saunders books (the comp. review and the book of all questions) I focus on a different area each week (this week is Peds) and do about 100 questions a day. I then review each question, the rationale, and strategy. If there are any areas I had trouble on, I'll read up on them in the comprehensive review book. This is working much better than the ATI plan. My friend is still working on her pharm notecards and its driving her crazy. You should do whatever works best for you, but I highly recommend the Saunders books for question review and then refer to the ATI books for touch up on some subjects. Good luck in whatever you choose to do!!

Drysolong · Oct 13, 2007

I found ATI usefull in my LPN course. It was actually mandatory as our final exams were ATI. I also used my ATI Fundamentals and Pharmacology texts as aids in passing Excelsior's Nursing Concepts 1.

Logos · Oct 13, 2007

I study from my ATI boooks all the time, I love them, so much simpler than the actaual text they give us.

mcknis · Oct 13, 2007

Jean, My school also uses ATI testing. I, personally, am not a fan of the ATI testing strategies. I work with many nurses who have passed the boards on one time and did horribly on the ATI. Whether it is a true predictor of NCLEX passing rates, I am unsure, but I can tell you that for me, it isn't my thrill. I have passed all but one test in nursing school and have done so bad on my ATI tests it ain't even funny.

RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 13, 2007

I have passed all my ATI's, but on a couple of them, i sure waited for that ending screen to show up, and damn was i surprised once! i just didnt feel it, and it said that i had a 99% chance of passing LPN boards. I was unable to take them d/t a surgery, but it made me feel good. I have heard that it really helps! i like them a lot, makes sense for things, and some of the material is literally copied and pasted!

One of the reasons i am sure my college has 'em is because my dean of nursing is in the book!

Do you guys have the same book as me? I wonder if the put each dean in at whatever school you are in....who do you guys have for comments on the very very first page when you open the book?? i have terim richards; molly obetz; lindsay koeble; danielle platt, AND MY DEAN Mary moss... really curious what you guys have in yours. maybe they do it regionally.. sorry, a little off the topic, but curious

jean333 · Oct 14, 2007

Thanks so much. I think the ATI does help study but I have heard from more than one student not to let how well you do on the ATI's rattle you. I am going forward with my boards :)

burnoutward, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2007

I had another program prior to the ATI. I have to say ATI is WAYYY better than ATI. I love the books and CDs that come with the program. Very useful, I passed all my and used them for NCLEX-RN. The first program our school used (sorry I can't remember the name) didn't even test us on things we covered that semester! Even as a nurse I have kept my ATI books and reference them on occasion.

I recommend using more than one program though, look into what the NCSBN has to offer they actually have a program as well I used http://www.learningext.com/students/ I even used KAPLAN to study as well. I also had another book my school recommended I buy, but I passed on my first go around. Better to be over prepared, I think. Good luck!

mcknis · Oct 14, 2007

"I have to say ATI is WAYYY better than ATI."

This doesn't make sense to me MariKat. Maybe you meant to put something else there.