WK2 ASSIGN 2 NRNP 6675
National Certification Exam Plan
College of Nursing-PMHNP, Walden University
PRAC 6665: PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan I Practicum
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National Certification Study Plan, Week 3
A study plan is essential for my success at Walden. After graduation, I will take the National
Certification exam to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). In nature, a
study plan will help me to stay on track while completing each progress goal and task. My study plan
will help me stay organized, which is needed to avoid total disarray. I find organizing beneficial to my
mental health because it helps reduce stress caused by mess and procrastination.
I will highlight my summary of strengths and opportunities for improvement after taking the
certification review test. I will also outline my tasks and goals associated with the timeline, which will
help me prepare to take the actual national certification exam. Throughout my studies, I plan to use
many of the available resources, and I have also outlined my plan to measure my progress.
Overview of Strengths and Improvement Opportunities
I realized there is a lot I need to learn after completing my pretest for the National Certification
exam. There was content that I was more comfortable with than expected, but there was also
content that I need to rework and am not at all confident with. I found that examining each area
of the content map is the best way for me to analyze my strengths and weaknesses. My primary
strength is in the scientific foundation in pharmacology and aspects of physical assessment
across the lifespan, especially for adult patients. There is room for improvement in assessment
in children and adolescents since I have no experience with these populations and
pathophysiology, specifically neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, genomics, and epigenetics. My
greatest strengths were my advanced practice skills, considering how much of this material
involves assessment, interviewing, history-taking, physical examinations, intoxication,
withdrawal, and altered mental status. For the past several years, being an RN has given me
experience in these different areas. It would be beneficial to increase my knowledge of using
psychometrically validated tools, such as the DSM-5, HEXACO, ACE-IQ, and Beck Depression
Inventory (BDI). So far, none of my preceptors have used this type of scale in their clinical.
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When I think about confidence regarding the diagnosis and treatment section, I am about half on
each.
I performed well overall in the diagnosis and treatment section, but sometimes I have difficulty
distinguishing between different disorders, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.
In the course of my preceptorship, they have been helping me to distinguish between the signs
and symptoms of each disorder. Before starting the exam, I believed that my
biggest weakness would be psychotherapy; however, upon completing the exam, I only missed
less than five questions. Although I did well in this category, I would still like to improve.
It is relatively easy for me to know the concepts when it comes to ethical issues in the medical
field, whether I'm a doctor, nurse, medic, or mental health provider, so I feel more comfortable in
this area rather than the legal principles and legal barriers that are related to the role of
the medical provider. Regardless of the strengths or weaknesses of my current skills, I must
continue to work on expanding my general knowledge and addressing the weaknesses
to prepare myself for the National Certification Exam.
Goal and Task
Goal 1: Throughout the term, I will read and study the weekly readings assigned in my course
materials, including "The Psychiatric Interview," to prepare for national certification.
Task 1: I'll make a schedule to help me figure out which days of the week I should study
specific topics.
Task 2- In the timetable, I'll also put aside specified hours each day to study for the National
Certification exam.
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Task 3- I'll ask my preceptor questions and try to learn as much as I can so that I may better
prepare for the National Certification exam.
Goal 2- By the end of the practicum term, I will have studied the chapters in "The Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Review Manual" required for NRNP 6665.
Task 1: Complete the prescribed weekly readings for the course.
Task 2- Each week, set aside a specified day, such as Friday, to review the chapter assigned for
that week.
Task 3: Schedule a two-hour study session on Friday between 7-9 p.m.
Goal 3- By week 11, I'll compile a list of areas where my knowledge base is more substantial, such as
assessment and anxiety disorder, so I'll know which ones I merely need to brush upon.
Task 1- Each week, I will list a new strength.
Task 2- I will use my weekly reading assignments and other course material to assist me in
discovering new strengths.
Task 3: I'll establish study plans with my family and friends to assist me in quizzing myself on
the material.
Goal 4- By week 11, I'll compile a list of areas where my knowledge base is lacking, such as
theoretical foundations and neuroanatomy, focusing my review on the most critical topics.
Task 1: Each week, I shall write down a new flaw.
Task 2- I'll go over my deficiency using the hours I've set out on my schedule.
Task 3- I'll use my weekly reading assignments from other course materials to help me identify
any other flaws.
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Projected Study Plan
Monday
Study Hours
Tuesday
Study Hours
Wednesday
Study Hours
Thursday Study
Hours
Friday Study
Hours
2 hrs 2-3 hrs 3-4 hrs 3-4 hours 2 hours
Week 3
March 14-20
The psych interview 2 hrs
Weekly course material
2 hrs
Resource/ Weekly material
3-4 hrs
Resource material
3-4 hrs
Certification review manual
2 hrs
Week 4
March 21-27
The psych interview 2 hrs
Weekly course material
2 hrs
Resource/ Weekly material
3-4 hrs
Resource material
3-4 hrs
Certification review manual
2 hrs
Week 5
March 28- April 3
The psych interview 2 hrs
Weekly course material
2 hrs
Resource/ Weekly material
3-4 hrs
Weekly course material
3-4 hrs
Certification review manual
2 hrs
Week 6
April 4-10
The psych interview 2 hrs
Weekly course material
2 hrs
Resource/ Weekly material
3-4 hrs
Weekly course material
3-4 hrs
Certification review manual
2 hrs
Week 7
April 11-17
The psych interview 2 hrs
Weekly course material
2 hrs
Resource/ Weekly material
3-4 hrs
Weekly course material
3-4 hrs
Certification review manual
2 hrs
Week 8
April 18-24
The psych interview 2 hrs
Weekly course material
2 hrs
Resource/ Weekly material
3-4 hrs
Weekly course material
3-4 hrs
Certification review manual
2 hrs
Week 9
April 25- May 1
The psych interview 2 hrs
Weekly course material
2 hrs
Resource/ Weekly material
3-4 hrs
Weekly course material
3-4 hrs
Certification review manual
2 hrs
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Study
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Study Hours
Study Hours
Study Hours
Study Hours Hours
2 hrs 2-3 hrs 3-4 hrs 3-4 hrs 2 hrs
Week 10
May 2-8
The psych interview 2 hrs
Weekly course material
2 hrs
Resource/ Weekly material
3-4 hrs
Weekly course material
3-4 hrs
Certification review manual
2 hrs
Week 11
May 9-15
The psych interview 2 hrs
Weekly course material
2 hrs
Resource/ Weekly material
3-4 hrs
Weekly course material
3-4 hrs
Certification review manual
2 hrs
Resources to Help You Achieve Your Objectives
"The Psychiatric- Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Review Manual" (Zakhari, 2021) is one of
the specific resources I plan to use for my study plan. I aim to study it during my clinical terms
of PRAC 6665 and 6675 through the weekly assignment reading and practice exam. I will
continue to work on what I don't finish throughout these courses once they're finished. I plan to
begin studying the "Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Review and Resource
Manual" (Johnson & Vanderhoef, 2016) during my last clinical course, and until I am within a
week of taking the National Certification exam. From my preceptors and social groups, I have
learned that this is an excellent review manual.
Throughout my time at Walden, I've been fortunate to build strong bonds and relationships with
many of my coworkers, which will allow me to form a study group using an online tool like
Zoom or Facetime. "The Psychiatric Interview" (Carlat, 2017) has been a helpful resource for
me in learning mnemonics for various illnesses, such as SIGECAPS for depression and
DIGFAST for bipolar disorder manic patients. These are valuable resources that I plan to use
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long after passing the National Certification exam and throughout my career as a mental health
therapist. An online review course is a final resource I aim to use within a week of taking the
boards.
I will be measuring my progress by identifying my overall main focus, which is to complete
Walden University and pass my national certification exam for becoming a PMHNP. To
measure this process, I will complete my process goals and tasks. This process can be
measured using the process mentioned earlier.
Every day, I'll track my success by moving toward or completing one of my mentioned goals,
such as studying "The Psychiatric Interview" for two hours on Monday and then crossing it off
my schedule or calendar. Then I know I've made progress toward my overarching goal.
Looking at how far I've come in my journey will be another way to gauge my development. I
can look back on all of the goals I set for myself throughout my time at Walden and see that I
achieved each one, leading me to where I am now.
Another way to gauge my progress is to look at my assignment grades and the overall feedback
from my preceptor and instructors throughout the course. As a final option to track my
progress, I'll start by looking ahead and making a list of everything I still need to do to finish
my degree, such as applying for graduation and updating my portfolio. Then every couple of
days start crossing things off the list, making my overall goal that much more attainable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it takes a lot of time and effort to create a study plan. I will use every resource
available to me to achieve my ultimate goal. Including process goals and objectives, or
activities, in the long-term goal is an excellent way to get started. Making a schedule will allow
me to set particular days and hours for completing the process goals and keep track of my
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progress. Employing a variety of resources is a fantastic method to ensure that I am presented
with enough information to pass my National Certification exam.
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