How "OLD" are ATI questions really?

[adnstudent44]

So I know that ATI is just a way of life for a lot of nursing schools and as I am about to finish my first year of my ADN program I get it. I passed my first two ATI tests (Fundamentals and Mental Health) first time around so I'm not "complaining" because I couldn't pass.

However, while I was studying for the fundamental's test I took the practice tests on the site and I realized that some of the information is really really backwards/old. For the rationales for questions about CPR they use ABC (airway, breathes, compression) while, correct me if I'm wrong, its been changed by the American Heart Association to CAB (compressions, airway, breathes) for some time now. In addition, we were told this content was just recently updated and that was why they changed the benchmark number required to pass. Whenever discrepancies are brought to our professors they state that 1. they cannot see the test content because it would jeopardize the testing validity and 2. that we need to get "used" to questions having answers different that are taught in our classes/lectures because the NCLEX is written by nurses across the country.

This is frustrating to me because I feel as though this is not an accurate analogy. Yes, test questions on the NCLEX are written by nurses across the country so when we learn a certain skill the order we learned it in might be slightly different, or lab values might be slightly different in their normal ranges. I get that I need to understand the concepts I am taught so that I can apply them no matter who writes the test and use critical thinking. I understand all this, but testing students on CPR incorrectly seems categorically different. I feel like professors are turning a blind eye simply because it helps the programs compare themselves to other programs. It is for the school's benefit, not the students; we are just stuck with the ATI bill.

Also, how the heck can our professors teach us the content that will be on the tests if they don't know what we are being tested on? If they trust the ATI content so well, why don't they use the ATI books? and not separate textbooks? I have come to the conclusion that I have to learn two ways: 1. the correct content my professors teach me and 2. the incorrect content ATI gives us. I feel like the students in my class who are failing by 1% below the benchmark are being denied the 5% of their grade unfairly. I just deem myself fortunate for being able to catch the discrepancies. How can nursing programs decide if the ATI program/product is being successful if they cannot view the test after it is taken? To me it seems like nursing programs won't be able to adequately assess its school's progress as it uses the ATI product.

[NursingGirl0726]

i get frustrated with ATI for the same reasons. Last semester it was more of a problem but their videos were helpful. I just try to focus on what the teachers lecture on and then when it comes time to test do my best. Its too hard to go back and forth between regular exams and ATI

[Zelda21]

I find ATI annoying, but extremely helpful, especially when it comes to simplifying content.

Do you read the updated ATI modules/books? Mine teaches CAB...

ATI gives you structured information, without extra fluff/detail. When I need to know the full pathology, etiology etc. I refer to by larger textbooks. They have tons more information (some I need, some I don't). We are given multiple tools to help learn. I use ATI, my textbooks, NCLEX books, review and rationale books. There is no one way to present information, hence the multiple sources - just like there is no single med/surg, psych, pediatric etc. textbook. Nursing is a collaborative profession.

NOW...Do I want to pay for ATI? Not necessarily, but it is what my program chooses to use, therefor I am stuck with that bill

[laKrugRN]

I have found many errors or just plain conflicting info in the ATI books. I studied them to pass school, but I am steering clear from now on.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I didn't have that many issues with ATI. However, there are multiple tests and some schools are using older tests. Maybe your school has not paid for the updated tests? I know our class was using the older tests because we started with them but then the class after us was using the newer updated versions. I would see if you can find a year associated with the exams.

[chitwndeva]

What version of ATI is your program using 2010 or 2013

[adnstudent44]

as I said in my original post, our program claims it is the "updated version." However, the errors seem to say otherwise

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

That sucks! I know we had some issues where the book may have a different steps but the ATI book and test had different steps (I think walking with the cane was one of them). People also complained about errors but I never had an issue with them so either I chose the error or I didn't know the answer when the question came up.

One thing I hated was that the ATI tests always had what seemed like four word from word or so similar you couldn't miss it questions from the practice one and the tutorials.