This ATI Comprehensive exam was challenging for me. I did not feel focused when taking the exam and did not do as successful as I planned. With this, I will take this experience in stride to help better my test taking strategies. I have learned that when preparing for the NCLEX I need to try different locations to be able better accommodate the variety in testing locations. This can help me stay focused even if there is a little bit of commotion around me. Even though this exam did not go as planned, I still learned a lot about myself and about the content. I will use this information to help me prepare and take the NCLEX.
Preparation for Licensure and Transition to Practice Reflection
The ATI’s that we did throughout the semester proved to be very beneficial to my nursing knowledge. I have learned a lot of things through this vigorous process such as relating to my test taking strategies and content areas. My test taking strategies have improved the most by doing these exams. Looking back at my performance reports, I was taking little time on questions. I used to brush through and not take my time when it was required. This did not help my scores as I did not fully understand what the question was asking before I answered. Looking at it now, My times have improved to the point where I feel confident in my answer when deciding. I would also change my answers a lot would negatively affect my score. I have worked through these strategies and feel I am a much better test taker from this. I still feel like there is more to do before the NCLEX, but my strategies have most definitely improved through this course.
The remediation process was also very important in understanding concepts that I may have forgotten about. It allowed me to go through topics that I have missed and understand key parts. This was beneficial as I look back at previous exams. I noticed that I would be getting less wrong as I remembered from previous exams. I noticed that when doing my remediations, I would usually not get the same topic areas incorrect. This means that I have gained more knowledge through this process. The remediation template helped me outline the most important things to know about certain topics. It also laid it out in a very friendly way. Looking back, I have also improved my remediations. I am more precise and thorough when remediating to help better understand.
Self-care strategies played a major role in preparing me for these exams. I knew that a good amount of time will have to be taken to complete and remediate these exams. I had to improve my time management skills to be able to successfully take my time on these exams. Improving this skill will not only help me when taking the NCLEX, but it can help me with managing my time as a nurse. This skill is not easily acquired and takes time to develop. This also plays a role in balancing my life. I had school, athletics, and work to balance and time management helped me get things done.
I have learned a lot of new skills that can used to help me with my nursing practice. With time management being a big part, I have also gained the knowledge on topics that are seen regularly within the nursing practice. I will use this knowledge to better care for my patients. I will use the test taking strategies to help me pass my NCLEX. This course has given me the tools to be successful as a nurse. I am a more critical thinker who can apply knowledge to the real world.
Adult Health 4 Reflection
This course has brought to light a lot of knowledge about aging adults. I have learned numerous things about their physical, emotional, and social aspects that formulate who they are. They are faced with many challenges as they develop through the final stages of Erickson’s Theory. The content of this course has supplied me with the knowledge to be able to provide better care to these patients as I begin my journey into nursing. I have a better understanding on how to react to certain situations in order to make every individual feel the respect and dignity that they deserve.
A key piece that was learned through this course was sexuality. I have not thought about inquiring with my patients about how they identify and if I can help them with the special needs they may need. An often-overlooked component, sexuality can make a difference in whether a patient feels comfortable with their situation or not. These circumstances can be harder when in a long-term care facility. A nurse should provide their patient with time alone with their significant other which can promote a sense of individuality. Providing a safe environment where they can be themselves can help their emotions as they continue to age. All of my patients should feel comfortable in their own skin and a nurse can help facilitate this. This can be done by being a person that the patient can trust and feel confident talking to. It may not be easy for patients to go through this process alone and having someone there who understands is key.
Another key component that provided important insight was the concept of elder abuse. This discussed how prevalent it is among the aging population and how to identify signs that can be indictive of abuse. This can be sexual, physical, or even emotional abuse that can negatively affect the health of the patient. Nurses should be able to recognize and identify when they suspect an individual is being abused. They also should provide support by allowing the patient to freely express themselves in a safe manner. It can be challenging for abuse victims to share what is happening due to fear, but nurses should use therapeutic communication and reassure them that they are there to listen. Learning about this information can help me guide my future patients through this process. I will be the one to give a helping hand in pursuit of improving their wellbeing.
Preparation for Licensure
This ATI comprehensive practice B was very helpful in brushing up on some of the topics that I have forgotten about. It helped me go over and review key parts with some diagnosis and medications. This will ultimately help me when taking the NCLEX. I noticed that my test taking strategies have improved which means that these practice exams seem easier. I try to take my time on each question reading all of the parts and options. The one thing that I feel still needs work is me staying concentrated on the exam for the whole time. Sometimes I get lost and my mind changes focus. Staying on task is ideal when taking the NCLEX. I look to build off this and be successful on the next exam.
Preparation for Licensure
This comprehensive exam went well I would say. I felt good with a lot of the questions and content. I tried to pace myself but found it a little hard to sit through the entire exam. I am slowly getting better at staying concentrated and hopefully I will be ready when it come time to take the NCLEX. I tried to focus on reading each question carefully and in its entirety. With this said, I feel like that paid off for me because I achieved a higher grade than I thought I was going to get. I look to build of this success and continue to gain the skills to be able to take the exam.
Preparation for Licensure
This ATI adaptive quiz went very well. I felt comfortable in my decisions and thought I had a good understanding of the topics that they presented. Through the exam, I tried to take more time on each question just for a couple of seconds. With this, I wanted to make sure that I was confident with what the question was asking and how each of the options related. I did lose concentration a little bit through the exam as I find it is a little hard to stay focused for that extended period. I will continue to work through these obstacles to be better prepared for the NCLEX.
Preparation For Licensure
This ATI exam was a lot more challenging than I expected. I felt confident that the practice exams have set me up for success but that seems like it is not the case. I felt like the practice exams did not correlate to the actual proctored exam. With this, I will have to go more in depth and branch off to learn more before my next proctored ATI exam. I will use the remediation time on this exam to better my understanding of the content. During the exam, I did not feel quite confident as the questions rolled out. I lost my focus and did not feel well prepared or ready for this exam. For the next proctored exam, I will try to have a better mindset and try my hardest to focus to make sure I am answering the questions to the best of my abilities. This is a learning process and I look to better myself on the next exam.
Preparation For Licensure
The ATI pharmacology practice exam B went good but also had some challenging parts. I saw new medications that were not on the previous exam which is very helpful in learning more. I felt like I took my time and really tried to focus on each question. I made sure to reread anything I was confused about and made sure to read all of the options. Some things that did not go as good are when new medications were presented. I feel like I could have thought more about those questions to help answer it correctly. This skill is not easy when content that you are unfamiliar comes up. I will continue to work on this skill to help me prepare for the exam.
Preparation for Licensure
This ATI practice exam went well overall. I felt confident in the drugs that I knew and was glad I got the chance to brush up on medication that I was not so confident in. During the exam, I tried to stay focused and concentrated through the 60 questions. I feel like I did a good job at maintaining a consistent pace. I also feel like I spent an even amount of time on each question. For the next practice exam, I will build of this knowledge and look to achieve a better score. I will use the strategies that worked for me during this exam and look for new strategies to help improve my test taking abilities.
Attaining and Protecting Your Professional Nursing
I plan to become licensed in the state of Massachusetts. Currently, Massachusetts is pending to become a nurse licensure compact state but is not currently. The application has been moved to online where a paper license is no longer issued. The application process can be done via paper but requires further steps to obtain and send the application. Massachusetts requires that you graduate from a board approved nursing program, have good character, and have passed the NCLEX. Background checks are also conducted that an individual meets the requirement to become a nurse based on any criminal activity. An individual must not have criminal convictions for a minimum of 5 years and have completed all court ordered stipulations a minimum of 1 year. Fingerprints are not a requirement under the Massachusetts Board of Nursing.
Substance abuse causing nurses to be impaired can be a dangerous thing for the nurse, other nurses, and the patients. Being impaired can correlate with making mistakes that can be life threatening to patients as well as the nurse. It is under legal obligations that a nurse must report other nurses who are impaired by substance abuse. When a nurse is suspected of substance abuse, it is important to conduct a thorough investigation and evaluation. This will look at safety, stability, and provide the person safe transportation to a safe environment. The nurse can be at risk of self-harm as they may experience shame and guilt when they realize what they have been doing. There are various resources available within and external to the organization. If unionized, they can provide support and there should be written policies based on the employer for incidents like these. External resources can look at the Massachusetts Nurses Association Peer Assistance Program, weekly nursing support groups, Massachusetts Substance Abuse Rehabilitative Program, self help groups, and SMART Recovery. If a nurse is found to be impaired, then termination of work may be the disciplinary action. Followed by this, a return-to-work agreement may be required to resume duties per protocol of employer.
In a world that is full of mistakes, it is important to always cover your back and your license when you are a nurse. Malpractice, protecting patient rights, refusing treatment, and abuse are things that can be seen to cause a nurse to lose their license. As a nurse, you should take the proper measure to ensure that you don’t loose your license. Communication is a key part of protecting yourself and your license. Following protocols, minimize relying on coworkers, ensure social media is private, and always staying focused are keyways to protect yourself. At any moment a slip up can occur and taking the proper measures that are outlined by the employer is key.