ATI Schools

augurey · Apr 8, 2015

I only recognize you because of the state you live and your avatar lol but as I was reading this I kept telling myself that this sounds awfully like the school I recently withdrew from... Guess it is!

From what I've been keeping up with, it looks like many are still really struggling with the ATI. Are you guys just working on the practice ones required to take the proctored?

I really hope some others that have had experience with ATI come in and share what their experience has been like and how they learned the ATI material and if their schooling was centered around ATI rather than ATI being more supplemental.

Can a group of you talk with administration about this? I know based on how well the Nutrition proctored went, I'm guessing many are probably running into the same thing again. Since the ATI is required to continue the program, I think the class needs to talk to someone about how to fix this. This may very well be the norm and a "welcome to nursing school" type of thing, but I really don't know unless others share how their experience has been. I think if you guys can let them know everything that you've been doing to study for the ATI, maybe they can help you figure out what the issue is (and maybe it is about having a more ATI structured class, I don't know).

If only a few out of the class are passing the proctored exams time after time, I think there needs to be some kind of investigation on how exactly 90% of the class failing ATI. I believe achieving a level 2 is something they just implemented for the 2016 class (though I don't know what their results were like with the 2015 graduating class before implementation). From what I've read on here since I joined, having to achieve a level 2 on ATI to continue with the program isn't that uncommon (though I don't know how common it is).

When is the proctored exam for the current classes?

futurepsychrn, ADN · Apr 10, 2015

The proctored for Fundamentals is Monday. 71.1% to move on. Only 3 people have gotten the 85 needed to take the proctored. Class officers were elected, therefore we got to go to the bi-monthly staff meeting to address any concerns. Of course ATI was one. We asked if ATI determined our moving on why are we not being taught from ATI and using the textbook as supplemental material? Their answer (as usual LOL) " We are not an ATI based school. The ATI is supplemental to help you." Then a bunch of double talk as usual. No answer, par for the course.

futurepsychrn, ADN · Apr 10, 2015

Oh and I got a pencil sharpener! Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cheeky:

brit.pz · Apr 10, 2015

Our school uses ATI for homework and final exams - well for some classes. We also use HESI for homework but not exams. I actually like the HESI case studies way more than ATI.

I'm not sure if this is what you're asking but for our Fundementals/Nursing Skills final we had to take an ATI exam. We were expected to study the ATI material on our own time to prepare for the final. We were given an ATI book at the beginning of the semester and about a month before the final practice ATI fundamental exams were opened to use.

Our school was pretty open with us that we may have difficulty with the ATI final but the hope was that our grade was already high enough to where the ATI grade wouldn't fail us. There were several items that we were questioned on that we wouldn't learn until 2nd semester, like ABGs. The final was also graded by levels - so if you scored between (I'm just going off the top of my head here) 65-75% on the ATI you would be given a 85% as your final exam grade.

Our pharm exam was also ATI but our instructor set it up so that she was able to pick and choose the questions we would be asked. That's also how our Adult Health 1 (Med-Surg) exam will be.

Overall, I'm happy with how our program is run. I will add though that if we fail the ATI exam we aren't held back or anything of the sort - that is unless it brings your overall grade down to a 76% or below.

tsm007 · Apr 10, 2015

I'm sorry, but I'm going to disagree with the line of thinking here. My school used ATI. It was not part of the curriculum. We knew there was an ATI exam after every class. It was up to us to study independently for that. We were provided with the ATI review books and the practice exams. A bunch of people failed the first ATI exam the first attempt, but after that they figured it out. Study on your own. Secondly, the NCLEX exam is the same. If you don't learn how to study independently you are going to have problems. I would agree that your school should let you know you are going to be tested and when and that you are responsible to study for this independently. They should emphasize that, but other than that I think that's there only responsibility. ATI review books are available for purchase at ATIs website and on Amazon.

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2015

I think the core of what happens when schools say ATI is supplemental material students go, "Oh no, I'm not going to mess with that. No time. Gotta focus on what is in lecture & the texts." Then they totally forget it and ATI is upon them and blah. I think ATI gets lost in the shuffle which is very unfortunate. We're facing a similar issue in our school though thankfully we don't have the added pressure of failing out just because we didn't get a 2 or higher on the proctored.

antowas, ADN, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2015

I actually really like the ATI (don't shoot me, lol!) Yes, it may be hard but read the books and do the practice exams. Read every single rationale in the practice exams and write down the ones you miss or don't completely understand. ATI is statistically proven to be better than hesi and Kaplan, so try and make lemonade out of those lemons!

augurey · Apr 11, 2015

I'm really glad to see other responses here! I've been curious how other school handle ATI, so I think it's really helpful to know how it works with other schools.

My line of thinking is that the school in question is ACICS accredited, so I was honestly curious to see if the regionally accredited schools operated similarly with ATI which is why I said "This may very well be the norm and a "welcome to nursing school" type of thing" if the regionally accredited schools work with ATI in the same manner.

Based on the other responses it really sounds like it's really about adjusting to ATI and learning how to study for it. Based on what you've told me outside the forum, it sounds like you guys are starting to get there though. Try and stick with it. I think once you guys get through Fundamentals and Pharm, you'll really start figuring out the best way to study.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you guys!

futurepsychrn, ADN · Apr 13, 2015

We spend the whole module (8 weeks) studying ATI and taking the tests.

They count as points on our grades. My problem is we are not taught the ATI material properly and it should not be a make or break situation. If I spend the whole 8 weeks working my butt off to pass the class, why should I fail for an ATI test. I have an A in one class and a high B in the other, but if I fail the ATI that matters not in the least. I still do not move on. Very unfair!

kittilvr · Apr 13, 2015

My school also uses ATI and it can be helpful or harmful depending on how you approach it. I know it is frustrating to be taught with a particular book and then be tested on ATI week 8. My best advice is to take ATI seriously because at the end of the program you need to pass an ATI exit exam. I have gotten all level 2 on my proctored (except damn peds) and I have found taking the practice tests and reading the entire book if possible is extremely helpful! Sorry ATI is not treating you well, hope it all works out!

futurepsychrn, ADN · Apr 15, 2015

My school also uses ATI and it can be helpful or harmful depending on how you approach it. I know it is frustrating to be taught with a particular book and then be tested on ATI week 8. My best advice is to take ATI seriously because at the end of the program you need to pass an ATI exit exam. I have gotten all level 2 on my proctored (except damn peds) and I have found taking the practice tests and reading the entire book if possible is extremely helpful! Sorry ATI is not treating you well, hope it all works out!

I have passed all ATI exams thus far. It's just very stressful to have to study all the added material on top of the material you are learning in class! Then there are some class members, who are very immature, that get upset with me because I pass and they don't! Even more stress. UGH!