Introduction
I believe that the stress associated with the preparation for exams has significantly affected my productivity and overall well-being. According to Kerr and Macaskill (2020), light emotional outbursts are helpful since they positively affect performance and enhance mental activity. However, in my case, the amount of stress was overwhelming as I failed to evaluate the vast knowledge necessary for the exam correctly. At present, I understand that I should have chosen a more structural approach to learning and planned my studies according to the topics and units. As the research suggests, planning might be highly effective for time and resources management, which are the primary areas of concern for me (Gargiulo & Bouck, 2019; Meiring, 2017). Thus, I will develop an appropriate study plan and formulate learning objectives based on the acquired knowledge.
Concerning my performance on the practice exam, I have done slightly better than I expected. Despite my dissatisfaction with preparation methods, I think I did fairly well on the exams. I had no apparent problems with different question formats, and the time limit was sufficient for me. While I still wish to improve my preparation routine by integrating planning and a logical approach, I am considerably satisfied with my practice exam results.
Strengths
I would also like to particularly highlight my results in the two courses: Professional Issues as an Advanced Practice Nurse with a Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty and OBGYN Conditions. In my opinion, these areas demonstrate my primary strengths since the eventual results were fairly high, and I had spare time by the end of the exams.
Opportunities for Improvement
On the other hand, I believe that my results Advanced Practice Nurse Professional Practice Issues category are lacking. I think that the inadequate preparation methods were transparently reflected during this practice exam. For instance, I felt very insecure immediately after reading the title and questions and was overwhelmed by the amount of information. As a result, my results in this course aligned with what I expected, and I acknowledge the necessity of the study plan to address these issues.
Plan: Goals and Tasks
Therefore, my foremost priority for the study plan is to deepen my knowledge of the Advanced Practice Nurse Professional Practice Issues category. It is essential to find effective exam preparation guides and devote sufficient time to practice each day from these considerations. Consequently, I need to improve the overall results of my exams. I want to achieve at least a 90% score, which is very difficult for me right now, and I need to put in additional effort. The third objective concerns the subject-specific exams in the Comprehensive nurse resource book, as I want to become a better professional in various areas of nursing. Namely, I am planning to devote at least two learning sessions each week to achieve this objective.
Lastly, I want to improve my overall knowledge of planning and intervention. The research transparently emphasizes the utmost importance of these aspects and their impact on professional growth (DeNisco, 2019; Chang & Daly, 2019). Moreover, if my objectives and plans would prove to be too hard, I would like to ask my mentors for guidance and additional help. It will also improve my communication competencies in interaction with patients. As a result, the study plan will help me become a better professional and prepare me for future exams.
References
Chang, E. & Daly, J. (2019). Transitions in nursing: Preparing for professional practice (5th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.
DeNisco, S. M. (2019). Advanced practice nursing: Essential knowledge for the profession. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Gargiulo, R. M. & Bouck, E. C. (2019). Special education in contemporary society: An introduction to exceptionality. SAGE Publications.
Kerr, L., & Macaskill, A. (2020). The journey from nurse to advanced nurse practitioner: Applying concepts of role transitioning. British Journal of Nursing, 29(10), 561–565. Web.
Meiring, A. (2017). Time management: How to improve outcomes through management inputs. Professional Nursing Toda, 21(3), 2-3.