Assignment 2: Study Plan

Amelia McDonald

Walden University

NRNP 6665: PMHNP Care Across the Life Span

March 21, 2021

Running head: STUDY PLAN 1

Strengths and Opportunities

This article examines my test prep results. I completed 100 of 150 practice questions for

my psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certification exam. With the answer key, I got 82

out of 100 questions right. When answering the questions, they seemed endless, but after the first

thirty, I created a flow in my mind and strengthened myself, saying each comes with new nursing

information. Each question offered a chance to learn from the case studies’ demographics. In 100

out of 150 questions, critical thinking was a strength. The practice test questions are unique, and

the ideas in one don’t apply to the other (Zakhari, 2020). The biggest opportunity was learning

how to review and gather information from different sources, as each question required more

research. The dilemmas also helped me solve problems. Most answers give solutions to different

disorders, improving my nursing knowledge. The last opportunity is the ability to handle various

case scenarios.

I spent a lot of time on the difficult questions, but I finished 100 in 2.5 hours.

Study Plan and Tasks Needed to Complete Each SMART Goal

My exam preparation is crucial to my success. My journey preparation involves six steps

using SMART goals. SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time Bound) are

set using a set of criteria that ensures your objectives are attainable within a certain time frame.

First, assess how I study best. Every plan must fit the learner’s needs and schedule. I read in multiple

one-hour sessions instead of one long one. I will read for four to five hours.

Second, pick the right study materials. I must find updated, peer-reviewed materials online

to ensure accuracy. SMART goals prevent studying old material. I don’t want to pass irrelevant prep

questions and fail the exam. Assessing my knowledge helps me determine if my goals are attainable.

I occasionally take past NP certification exams to gauge my progress. Fourth, breaking down the

exam content helps me prioritize and schedule more time. Reviewing my weakest topic and taking

practice exam questions will show how much I can cover in each study session. I solve how many

case studies? Is there a mistake count? These two questions and taking time to learn from wrong

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answers will sharpen me. Fifth, give the plan a due date (Walden University, n.d.). Writing out the

study session on a calendar and noting what to cover per period gives me a written plan. Last is

celebration. After so much effort, I need time to appreciate how far I’ve come. On graduation day,

nursing students should reflect, relax, and celebrate.

Resources Used to Accomplish Goals and Tasks

Creating a plan is different from studying and achieving goals.I’ll use ANCC case-based

questions to eliminate memorization and introduce critical thinking. I know data and facts are

important, but patients’ conditions require evidence-based judgment. Chapter 16 of the course book

contains challenging questions with multiple correct but unequal answers. I should support my

opinions with book knowledge, common sense, and deep reasoning. Forming a study group will

help me retain most read material. Members can learn from each other as they brainstorm. Even

though I know not everything is on the ANCC, I will focus on it while varying my study methods

and materials. I’ll start studying for my certification exam now, not after graduation.

——– In order to pass my certification exams, I’ve demonstrated clinical competence (Mancini

et al., 2019). I’ve shown the ability to perform well and act in real-life situations. So, I’m

confident I’ll excel in clinical practice. Today’s health care system is dynamic and intricate,

requiring instant and informed decisions to improve patient welfare. Therefore, honing my

clinical skills is essential to staying abreast and navigating this highly evolving and

intricate health care system (Mancini et al., 2019). I appreciate that the certification exam

imparts skills, education, and experience to improve patient care and health outcomes. The

opportunity for improvement to pass this certification exam includes developing effective

study strategies, revising the initial study plan to fit my current plans, proper time

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management, reducing anxiety, developing confidence, and creating test-taking skills.

These strategies are vital and practical for passing my certification exams.

New SMART Goals

Smart Goals How to Achieve SMART Goals

Specific

Increase my performance to pass the certification exam and become a registered nurse.

Improve my performance generally to increase chances for passing the certification exam and getting certified as a registered nurse.

Create a new study plan based on my demonstrated strengths, study resources, established target, and self-knowledge.

Create a new study plan based on my demonstrated strengths, study resources, established target, and self-knowledge.

Measurable

Pass certification exams with credit.

Strive to obtain at least a credit pass in certification exams.

Start studying for certification exams early and work on my weak areas. Begin studying for the certification exams early and work on my weak areas.

Attainable

I’ll meet weekly with my instructor to discuss my weak areas and attend peer group discussions to further strengthen them. I will arrange a weekly meeting with my instructor to guide me on my weak areas and attend group discussions with my peers frequently to strengthen my weak areas further.

Face-to-face contact with my instructor and peers to improve my strengths. Ensure face-to-face contact with my instructor and peers to ensure effective guidance on how to improve my strengths.

Relevant Focus on myself and my behaviors and avoid things beyond my control. This is essential for me to stay focused and pass my exams.

Reflect on previous successes, failures, and test-taking skills. This reflection helps me identify what has worked and what hasn’t for me before. In

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Strongly emphasize on myself and my behaviors and avoid things beyond my control. This is essential in assisting me to stay focused and pass my exams.

turn, I will make informed decisions. Reflect on my previous successes, failures, and test- taking skills. This reflection is essential in identifying what has worked and what has not worked for me before. In turn, I will make informed decisions.

Time

The certification exam is still three months away. This period is enough for preparations and consultation with my instructor and peers. The time is also enough to take more exam preparation steps. The certification exam is still three months away. This period is enough for preparations and consultation with my instructor and peers. The period is also enough to take more steps pertinent to preparations for my exams.

Refine and improve weak areas. Revise and adjust the weak areas that still need more effort.

Resources to Accomplish Goals and Tasks My goals and tasks rely on using various resources. The first resource is study groups.

Attending study groups helps motivate creative thinking and develop communication skills.

Creative thinking and effective communication are crucial in nursing practice (Aung et al.,

2018). Another resource is mnemonic strategy. Mnemonics help boost the memory of vital

information. This resource links newly acquired information to previous knowledge

through acoustic cues and visuals. Online resources help me accomplish my goals and

tasks. Internet documents and web pages can be used to find essential information for my

goals and tasks.

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——– Article Forge

Fortunately, there is a study plan that will make it easier for you to ace the ANCC

Psychiatric-Mental Health Certification Exam. The test is divided into four domains:

assessment and diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Each section is

broken down into several sections, each covering a different topic within that domain. To

help you prepare for the APsychiatric-Mentalntal Health Certification Exam, you should

review the topics below.

Practice questions from past exams are an excellent way to learn the exam format and

prepare for the ANCC Psychiatry Mental Health Certification Exam. Practice test questions

also come with detailed explanations, making it easier to understand the questions.

Studying for the ANCC exam with practice tests can help you pass the ANCC Psychiatric

Mental Health Certification Exam faster!

A good review of ANCC practice questions can help you answer board questions in the

most efficient way. Reviewing the practice questions and the review book will give you the

opportunity to understand the content better. The keywords that appear on the practice

questions will help you answer them correctly. Once you have studied the practice

questions, you will be ready for the actual ANCC Psychiatric Mental Health Certification

Exam.

Using an ANCC certification course to prepare for the test is an excellent supplement to

your study plan. These courses are offered at convenient times. You can take these online or

in person. You can benefit from learning from expert instructors and from studying with

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your peers. Moreover, practice courses will help you develop a solid knowledge base and

boost your confidence on test day. If you take ANCC certification training, you will have

access to a range of helpful resources that will assist you in your ANCC exam preparation.

The content of the ANCC Psychiatric and Mental Health Certification Exam is based on

your knowledge of the field. It shows your competence and professional accomplishment.

Even though you are a nurse practitioner, you must obtain certification in order to practice.

Moreover, if you have a specialty track, you must still take the exam to become certified.

You can choose to study alone or with colleagues, but it is important to set priorities and

prioritize your study goals.

The ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Healthcare Certification Exam requires an RN with

knowledge of psychiatry and its disorders. Those who possess this certification are capable

of providing life-saving care for patients when they need it. However, it is crucial for them

to show that they have the knowledge and skills to practice their profession properly. The

ANCC certification exam is designed to measure this competency and help individuals

succeed.

In addition to improving their career prospects, ANCC certification can make it easier to

find a new position. Employers tend to consider professionals with ANCC certification as

more desirable candidates. It can help set you apart from the competition. And once you

earn it, your salary will follow. The benefits of this certification can last a lifetime. So go

ahead and study hard for the exam today!

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References Aung, K. T., & Jamal, N. Q. A. B. (2018). Nurse managers’ perspectives on nurses’ performance in mentorship program. Enfermeria Clinica, 28, 139-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1130-8621(18)30054-8 Mancini, M. E., LeFlore, J. L., & Cipher, D. J. (2019). Simulation and clinical competency in undergraduate nursing programs: A multisite prospective study. Journal of Nursing Education, 58(10), 561-568. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20190923-02

References

Walden University. (n.d.). Developing SMART goals. Retrieved 21 March 2021 from

https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/ld.php?content_id=51901492

Zakhari, R. (2020). The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certification review manual.

Springer. Chapter 16, “Practice Test.”

——— This article examines my practice test question results. I completed 100 out of 150 practice review questions to prepare for my psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certification exam. After scoring my results with the answer key I scored 82 out of 100 questions correctly. When answering the questions, they seemed to go on and on, but after

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the first thirty, I created a flow in my mind and strengthened myself, saying each comes with new information necessary for nursing education. Besides, each question created an opportunity to learn since the case studies have their specific demographics. Additionally, the main strength of the 100 out of the 150 questions was the ability to think critically. As mentioned, the practice test questions are unique, and the ideas used in one do not apply to the other (Zakhari, 2020). The foremost opportunity was learning how to review and derive information from different sources as each question required additional research. The other strength is that the dilemmas improved my problem-solving skills. Most of the answers provided give solutions to different disorders, sharpening my ability to apply my nursing knowledge. Finally, the opportunity created is the ability to deal with various case scenarios. Nonetheless, some of the questions were difficult, and I spent considerable time on them, but I managed to finish 100 test questions within approximately 2.5 hours.

Planning for my certification exam is crucial, as it will determine my success. My preparation process involves six steps using SMART goals that I believe are practical and necessary for my journey. SMART goals are (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time Bound) goals that are established using a specific set of criteria that ensures your objectives are attainable within a certain time frame. The first step is evaluation of how I study best. Every plan must be tailored towards meeting personal learning needs and schedule. Instead of having one lengthy cramming session, I will read in multiple sessions lasting for over an hour. I will set four to five hours of reading for adequacy. The second stage is choosing the right study resources. I have to check for updated and peer-reviewed materials online to ensure the information is relevant. It is one of the SMART goals that prevent studying outdated materials. I do not want to pass the irrelevant prep questions then fail in the actual exam. Thirdly, assessing my knowledge is a step towards knowing whether my goals are attainable. I will occasionally take past NP certification exams to identify my strengths and weaknesses as I continue with my studies. Fourthly, breaking down the exam content is necessary to know the areas that I should prioritize and schedule more time. How much I can cover in each study session will be measured by reviewing the weakest topic and then taking the practice exam questions. How many case studies do I solve correctly? How many questions did I answer incorrectly? These two questions and setting time to understand and learn from incorrect answers will sharpen me further. The fifth step is putting a date on the plan to make it time-bound (Walden University, n.d.). Penciling out the study session on the calendar and noting the content I should cover per each period will give me a comprehensive written organization. The final stage is celebration. It may not sound educational, but after putting so much effort, I need time to look back at the journey and appreciate the far I have come. On graduation day, every nursing student needs to reflect, breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy the achievements

Creating a plan is one thing and learning how to study and accomplish goals is another.

Therefore, I will use the American Nurses Credentialing Center Examination (ANCC) application and case-based questions to eliminate memorization and introduce critical thinking. I know data and facts are essential, but patients’ conditions are unique and situational, requiring evidence-based

STUDY PLAN 9

judgment. The questions such as the ones in chapter 16 of the course book are challenging because the multiple choices look correct but not equal. I should apply the books’ knowledge, common sense, and deep reasoning to support my opinions. Forming a study group is the second resource that will help me retain most of the read information. Besides, as members brainstorm, it will be an opportunity to learn from what they know. Finally, as much as I know that not everything is found on the ANCC, I will orient my study towards it even as I vary my study methods and materials. I will also make preparations to begin studying for my certification exam now instead of putting it off until graduation.

In a bid to pass my certification exams, I have demonstrated that my strength lies in clinical competence (Mancini et al., 2019). I have shown the capability to perform well and take action in numerous real-life circumstances. As such, I am confident of excelling in practical clinical practice. Today, the health care system is hugely dynamic and intricate, which needs instant and informed decisions to enhance patient welfare. Therefore, honing my skills and strength in clinical competence is essential in helping me to stay abreast and navigate this highly evolving and intricate health care system (Mancini et al., 2019). Essentially, I appreciate that the certification exam is crucial in imparting requisite skills, education, and experience to enhance patient care and health outcomes. The opportunity for improvement to pass this certification exam includes building effective study strategies, revising the initial study plan to fit my current plans, proper time management, reducing anxiety, developing confidence, and creating test-taking skills. These strategies are vital and practical for passing my certification exams.

The realization of my goals and tasks relies on utilizing various resources. The first resource is study groups. Attending study groups is critical in motivating creative thinking and developing effective skills in communication. Creative thinking and effective communication skills are critical in nursing practice (Aung et al., 2018). The other potential resource is the utilization of mnemonic strategy. Mnemonic strategy is essential in boosting memory on vital information. This resource is a crucial strategy in linking the newly acquired information to the previous knowledge through acoustic cues and visuals. The other vital resources to accomplish my goals and tasks are online resources. For instance, Internet documents and web pages can be utilized to find essential information relevant to my goals and tasks.

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