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 to feel confident and prepared on the big day. Similarly, if you want to feel confident and prepared for your certification exam, you should create and follow a plan that will thoroughly prepare you for success.

LEARNING RESOURCES

Required Readings

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). ICD-10-CM Codes UpdateLinks to an external site.. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/updates-to-dsm/updates-to-dsm-5-tr-criteria-text
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Changes to ICD-10-CM Codes for DSM-5 DiagnosesLinks to an external site.. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/updates-to-dsm/coding-updates
American Psychiatric Association. (2020). Updates to DSM–5 criteria, text and ICD-10 codesLinks to an external site.. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/updates-to-dsm-5
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Insurance implications of DSM-5Links to an external site.. https://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/Psychiatrists/Practice/DSM/APA_DSM_Insurance-Implications-of-DSM-5.pdf
- Clicking on this link will initiate the download of the PDF.
American Psychiatric Association. (2020). Coding and reimbursementLinks to an external site..
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/practice-management/coding-reimbursement-medicare-and-medicaid/coding-and-reimbursement
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Numerical listing of DSM-5 diagnoses and codes (ICD-10-CM). In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disordersLinks to an external site. (5th ed., text rev.). https://go.openathens.net/redirector/waldenu.edu?url=https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org/doi/book/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
Buppert, C. (2021). Nurse practitioner’s business practice and legal guide (7th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Chapter 9, “Reimbursement for Nurse Practitioner Services”
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2020). Your billing responsibilitiesLinks to an external site.. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coordination-of-Benefits-and-Recovery/ProviderServices/Your-Billing-Responsibilities
DeNisco, S. M. (2023). Role development for the nurse practitioner (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Chapter 17, “Reimbursement for Nurse Practitioner Services” (pp. 403-427)
- Chapter 14, “Concepts and Challenges of the Professional Nurse Practitioner” (pp. 351-362)
- Chapter 15, “Health Policy and the Nurse Practitioner” (pp. 367-384)
- Chapter 16, “Mentoring and Lifelong Learning” (pp. 389-399)
Walden University Academic Skills Center. (2017). Developing SMART goalsLinks to an external site.. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/ld.php?content_id=51901492
Zakhari, R. (2021). The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certification review manual. Springer Publishing Company.
- Chapter 4 “Neuroanatomy, Physiology, and Mental Illness”
Document: E/M Patient Case Study

In this Assignment, you will review the study plan that you developed in NRNP 6665, and revise your plan as necessary, which will serve as the road map for you to follow to attain your certification.

RESOURCES

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

TO PREPARE

Reflect on the study plan you created in NRNP 6665. Did you accomplish your SMART goals? What areas of focus still present opportunities for growth?

THE ASSIGNMENT

Revise your study plan summarizing your current strengths and opportunities for improvement.
Develop 3–4 new SMART goals for this quarter and the tasks you need to complete to accomplish each goal. Include a timetable for accomplishing them and a description of how you will measure your progress.
Describe resources you would use to accomplish your goals and tasks, such as ways to participate in a study group or review course, mnemonics and other mental strategies, and print or online resources you could use to study

*The following is my last class study plan – NRNP 6665

Week 3 – National Certification Study Plan.

I plan to take the National Certification Examination after I graduate from Walden University. For this reason, I must develop a study plan to make it possible for me to succeed in the following milestone of becoming a licensed PMHNP to start treating patients. Creating a study plan will help me stay organized and focus on obtaining the necessary skills and knowledge to pass the National Certification Exam. I will need to be confident before I take the Exam. Last week I took 100 out of the 150 practice test questions, which helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses, opportunities for improvement, and goals. My paper will detail the study plan I intend to follow to keep me focused on getting ready for the National exam.

Strengths and Opportunities for Improvements

Taking the pre–Test Examinations was an eye-opener and helped me understand the areas I am strong in and where I need improvement. Based on the test results, my weaknesses were psychopharmacology, Ethical and Legal principles, and advanced practice skills. Some of my strengths were doing interviews and obtaining history taking. Some areas of progress regarding the children/adolescent population regarding pharmacology exist. During this practicum, I started seeing many children in the site I am currently in and putting more effort when assessing this population. Opportunities for improvement include diagnosing and treatment and ethical and legal principles.

Smart Goals

Goal # 1: Adhere to the study plan timetable when preparing for the National Certification Examination

Create a manageable weekly timetable for reviewing course materials.
Study for 2 hours daily x 6 days. Skip one day to relax.
Take 30-40 practice questions daily and try to understand the rationale for the answers.

Goal # 2: List down the topics I have weaknesses in while keeping up with my weekly requirements for the National Certification requirements.

Utilize available resources like course materials for opportunities to improve.
Ask my preceptor questions to get more information and understanding.
Use notebooks and flashcards for essential points and quick reference.

Goal # 3: Research and join a reputable review certification course for test-taking skills and strategies to prepare for the National Certification Examination

Compare different review certification courses which are reputable and reasonable.
Purchase online practice questions to test myself after the review course before the Exam date.
Get podcasts I can listen to on the go or while driving.

Conclusion

The National Certification Examination will require much preparation and practice for me to be successful. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses and opportunities to improve is crucial. The Smart goals I developed, following the study plan, and utilizing resources like review courses and course reading materials will help me focus and gain confidence about the National exam. Based on last week’s practice test results, I need to develop goals and tasks to maintain my strengths and address my weaknesses. After graduating from Walden University, my goal will be to prepare and pass the National Successfully Certification Examination and achieve my goal of becoming a PMHNP-BC.