Identify potential strengths and weaknesses to better prepare the student-APEA post-predictor Exam

The purpose of this assignment is to identify potential strengths and weaknesses to better prepare the student for the: (a) APEA post-predictor Exam, (b) national certification exam after graduation (i.e., ANCC, AANP), and (c) first year of FNP clinical practice. A certification review study plan will be created to address any identified content-area opportunities for improvement. This study plan should be used throughout the course to guide the student.
Activity Learning Outcomes

Through this assignment, the student will:

Demonstrate a command of essential knowledge needed for safe, quality, primary care practice as a family nurse practitioner. (CO #4)
Demonstrate competencies essential of the family nurse practitioner role as leaders and advocates of holistic, safe, and quality care. (CO #5)

Students are expected to submit assignments by the time they are due. Assignments submitted after the due date and time will receive a deduction of 10% of the total points possible for that assignment for each day the assignment is late. Assignments will be accepted, with penalty as described, up to a maximum of three days late, after which point a zero will be recorded for the assignment. Late assignments will not be accepted beyond the last day of the course, Saturday by 11:59 pm MT of Week 8. Any assignments received after the conclusion of the course will result in a zero recorded for the assignment, unless prior arrangements are made with faculty.

In the event of an emergency that prevents timely submission of an assignment, students may petition their instructor for a waiver of the late submission grade reduction. The instructor will review the student’s rationale for the request and make a determination based on the merits of the student’s appeal. Consideration of the student’s total course performance to date will be a contributing factor in the determination. Students should continue to attend class, actively participate, and complete other assignments while the appeal is pending.

This Policy applies to assignments that contribute to the numerical calculation of the course letter grade.

Total Points Possible: 100
Requirements:

Review the results of the APEA Pre-Predictor exam taken during NR603 in detail. Include a copy of this report as an appendix in your assignment submission.
Review the following APEA knowledge areas: Cardiovascular, dermatology, endocrine, EENT, gastroenterology, health promotion, hematology, men’s health, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, pregnancy, professional issues, psychiatry, respiratory, sexually transmitted infections, urology, and women’s health.
Review the following APEA testing domains: Assessment, diagnosis, evaluation, pharmacotherapeutics, and planning and intervention.
There must be a minimum of four (4) knowledge areas and two (2) testing domains included in the study plan (additional weak areas are encouraged to be included). At a minimum, the student should select the lowest scored four (4) knowledge areas and the lowest scored two (2) testing domains.
The study plan must include at least six (6) total learning goals based on the knowledge areas and testing domains (see above). Each goal must have at least four (4) associated learning activities, a timeline for completion (within the current class timeframe), and a reflection.
Learning activities must be clearly identified and detailed.
Learning activities may include, but are not limited to:
Practicing with subject specific and additional 150 question exams in the APEA myQbank
Additional time studying specific areas of the APEA review module
Watching a webinar
Reading specific journal articles
Attending a conference or workshop
Working with preceptor in clinical setting to address identified weaknesses
Reviewing case studies
Going through a practice simulation
Studying from the certification review textbook
Attending a live certification review course

Preparing the Assignment

The assignment must be completed in a table format (see below) or organized in such a way that each learning goal is clearly separated and easily identifiable. All parts of this assignment must be the student’s original work. APA format is not required.

Attached is an example of the table.
The 4 Knowledge areas:
1. Women’s Health
2. Endocrine
3. Professional Issues (Billing, Coding, Medicare/Medicaid)
4. Hematology
The 2 Testing Domains:
1. Evaluation
2. Dianosis

RUBRIC
Learning Goals
Potential learning goals are identified from performance on the APEA Pre-Predictor Exam to inform a certification review plan to be completed while enrolled in this course. These objectively written goals answer the question: What do you want to accomplish?

20 pts
Excellent
The assignment contains a minimum of 6 learning goals (4 based on the student’s lowest scored APEA Pre-Predictor knowledge areas, and 2 from the lowest scored testing domain areas). All goals are objectively written and unique to student specific learning needs without being redundant.

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Learning Activities
Varied learning activities are planned for each learning goal identified in the first step of this assignment. These objectively written activities answer the question “How are you going to accomplish your goal?”

25 pts
Excellent
Learning activities support the learning goals. There must be at least 4 separate learning activities clearly identified for each learning goal. Learning activities are unique and specific to each goal and not redundant. Outstanding work on all elements.

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Reflection
A graduate-level reflection will relate strengths and weaknesses and consider both formative and summative evaluative methods. The reflection will answer the question: How will accomplishing your goal improve your certification preparation or make you a better nurse practitioner?

20 pts
Excellent
Reflection identifies how accomplishing the learning goal will improve certification preparation or make the student a better nurse practitioner. Reflection also includes student self-reflection on strengths, and opportunities to overcome any weaknesses (i.e. time, lack of learning space, interruptions, lack of clinical experience with topic). Outstanding work.

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Timeline
A timeline will be created over 8 weeks to complete the various activities of the plan in a balanced-learning format. This timeline answers the question: When do what to accomplish your goal?

25 pts
Excellent
Timeline clearly identifies when each learning goal and activity will be accomplished. Timeline is present for each learning activity and considers student weekly time needed to accomplish learning activity. All goals must be accomplished within the current class timeframe. Outstanding work on all elements.

25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Assignment Format
Organization
Assignment is effectively organized and polished. Writing is demonstrative of a clearly organized set of ideas following a logical and consistent pattern and is succinct where appropriate.

Mechanics of Writing
Completes assignment in accordance with the standards of the latest edition of the American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual

10 pts
Excellent
Succinct and clear learning goals, learning activities, timeline, and reflection. Contains all elements. Outstanding organization. Study plan is organized and grouped by learning goals in a table that aligns all components of the study plan under each learning goal AND/OR APA format, grammar, spelling, and/or punctuation are accurate, or with zero errors.