HESI vs NCLEX vs ATI

Wrangler156 · Oct 13, 2013

Hi! I am fairly new to this site and was just wondering if someone would be kind enough to explain the difference between HESI, ATI, and NCLEX. I am in the nursing program and we currently do reviews and tests on ATI but not HESI? Nor has HESI ever been mentioned to us. Is it for a different program? I'm sorry, just a little confused...

Where I am in school at we just use ATI I have heard of the HESI but we don't take it. I know that the 2 year colleges in my area use it, but where I am getting my BSN we just use ATI. I think it just depends on the school I know a while ago before I was in the program my school I attend used the HESI but not anymore.

#NurseB · Oct 13, 2013

Ok, nevermind. It was explained to me that HESI and ATI are similar in that they are used to determine a baseline of where you are at when you enter or exit a program. Not sure how reliable they are on determining how you will do on NCLEX since I have read various opinions on this site. Thanks all!

#NurseB · Oct 14, 2013

Where I am in school at we just use ATI I have heard of the HESI but we don't take it. I know that the 2 year colleges in my area use it but where I am getting my BSN we just use ATI. I think it just depends on the school I know a while ago before I was in the program my school I attend used the HESI but not anymore.[/quote']
Perfect! Thank you! We also use ATI so when HESI was mentioned I thought I was missing something :)

seanynjboy, BSN · Oct 14, 2013

Perfect! Thank you! We also use ATI so when HESI was mentioned I thought I was missing something :)

Hey FutureRockstarRN,

This is just a really tiny little bit of advice. I scored high enough on a Kaplan Exam (similar to HESI, just different company) that said I had a 97% chance of passing NCLEX-RN. So I took the NCLEX and failed the first time. The piece of advice is still study really really hard for the exam. Do not go by a computer prediction of how well you will do.

I have since taken it and passed in September :)

GOOD LUCK!!! when you take your NCLEX

papusha · Aug 8, 2014

ATI is a testing system that offers a different kind of tests.

HESI is a test, kind of proficiency test, you have to teke before entering a nursing program. Then, NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is an examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States.

RookieRoo · Aug 15, 2014

Our program uses ATI. We had to pay $600 and at the end we take an ATI predictor test of how well we will do on the NCLEX. Passing this test is required to graduate.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 15, 2014

My program used HESI for an RN exit exam and they also use it for testing for various modules throughout the program. It's not a graded exam, so we can absolutely fail the exams and it won't affect our progression in the course and it won't affect our graduation. They use HESI exams primarily as a second check to ensure that students are learning the material they're teaching. HESI claims that if you score >900, you have about a 97% chance of passing the NCLEX.

The school also uses HESI so that students can see what areas they're weakest in near graduation, so they can better study content for the NCLEX.

Personally, I found the HESI exam to be challenging though it wasn't computer adaptive, so in that respect, it didn't really find my limits as the NCLEX did. My score was high enough to suggest that I'd have a >97% chance of passing the NCLEX the first time.

In my case, it was right, and the computer shut off at 75 questions...

amy wg · Aug 22, 2014

I need advice I failed my ATI Exit several times. I have been a nurse long time and past copy of NCLEX. Now I cant sit for boards and cant get degree. May take HESI some where if I pass then no other courses. How to study what book with question's for HESI I should buy. I have Sanders that written by the same people who write HESI