STUDY PLAN Can you imagine an athlete deciding to run a marathon without training for the event? Most ambitious people who have set this goal will follow a specific training plan that will allow them

Shannon Pierce

College of Nursing-PMHNP, Walden University

NRNP 6665: PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan I

Dr. Wendy Hopkins

September 17, 2023

Strengths:

1. Strong foundational knowledge in psychiatric nursing and mental health.

2. Clinical experience in psychiatric nursing.

3. Effective time management and organizational skills.

4. Access to study resources and materials.

5. Commitment to achieving certification.

Opportunities for Improvement:

1. Need to review and reinforce specific content areas.

2. Develop a structured study plan.

3. Improve test-taking strategies and skills.

4. Simulate exam conditions to build confidence.

5. Use of DSM-5 TR to proper diagnose based on clinical presentation.

Study Plan with SMART Goals:

Goal 1: Content Mastery Specific: Review and strengthen knowledge in key content areas of the certification exam. Measurable: Achieve a score of at least 85% on practice exam by the end of the 10th week of this course. Achievable: Dedicate 10 hours per week to content review. Relevant: Improving content knowledge is crucial for success on the exam. Time-Bound: Complete content review in 8 weeks.

Tasks for Goal 1:

• Identify content areas that need improvement based on practice exams.

• Create a study schedule to cover each content area.

• Utilize textbooks, online resources, and review courses to reinforce knowledge.

• Tackle sample questions and regularly assess progress.

Goal 2: Test-Taking Skills Specific: Develop effective test-taking strategies to approach questions confidently. Measurable: Achieve an average of 90% accuracy on practice questions. Achievable: Dedicate 5 hours per week to practice questions and strategies. Relevant: Strong test-taking skills are essential for success on the certification exam. Time-Bound: Complete test-taking skills development in 6 weeks.

Tasks for Goal 2:

• Obtain a comprehensive question bank or review course.

• Practice answering sample questions under timed conditions.

• Analyze incorrect answers to identify areas needing improvement.

• Seek feedback from peers or mentors on test-taking strategies.

Goal 3: Simulated Exams Specific: Simulate exam conditions to build confidence and assess readiness. Measurable: Achieve a passing score (minimum 75%) on the practice exams. Achievable: Dedicate 4 weeks for simulated exams, about 20 questions per week. Relevant: Simulated exams provide a real test environment experience. Time-Bound: Complete the simulated exams in 8 weeks.

Tasks for Goal 3:

• Obtain and take full-length practice exams.

• Time each exam to mimic the actual exam conditions.

• Review results and focus on weak areas for improvement.

• Track progress and adjust study plan accordingly.

Goal 4: Final Review and Confidence-Building Specific: Review all key content areas, test-taking strategies, and confidence-building techniques. Measurable: Achieve a score of 90% or higher on a final practice exam. Achievable: Dedicate the final 5 weeks for this goal. Relevant: Final review ensures readiness and boosts confidence. Time-Bound: Complete the final review in 8 weeks.

Tasks for Goal 4:

• Create a condensed study guide summarizing key points.

• Conduct a comprehensive review of all content areas.

• Take a final practice quiz to assess readiness.

• Focus on self-care and relaxation techniques to manage stress.

Progress Measurement:

• Weekly tracking of study hours, practice quiz scores, and areas of improvement.

• Regularly assess if SMART goals are being met.

• Seek feedback from mentors or peers to gauge progress.