This semester we took various ATI practice test modules and proctored exams in transitions to practice. These exams allowed us to one, determine content areas where we had deficits, and two, work on our own test taking skills and strategies. In my own personal reflection, I’ve noticed that I’ve really improved upon my own critical thinking and test taking abilities. I was able to see both improvements in my ATI practice and proctored exams along with exams in my other courses. I’ve learned how to take more time reading and answering each question spending at least a minute on each one. I’ve noticed that the more time I spending thinking about a question, it allows me to run through all possible scenarios and rationals. There were times when I didn’t take enough time and I clicked submit just to realize the rational for another answer option. I’ve also learned to eliminate distractor questions to help me narrow down my options. This helped me really evaluate the rationals for each option in order to find the correct or most correct answer. Out of all the test environments that I’ve taken the ATI practice exams, I found that I did best when I took it alone on a sunny day in a quiet environment.

The ATI remediations that I completed after each exam helped me fill in content gaps along with solidifying my understanding of treatment options, nursing care, and disease processes. Doing these remediations will help me in my future practice by guiding my nursing care. The remediations helped me identify why the other answer options for test questions were incorrect and how it would affect the patient if those interventions were done. I feel that it will help improve my patient care and safety as a new nurse. In addition to these practice ATI exams, I’ve made use of tutoring to help me fill in content gaps. The student academic success center at UNE helped connect me with a past nursing student who was able to fill in my content areas that I was lacking in. I also made use of meeting with other students in study groups where we all were able to build upon each others understanding and fill in any missing areas.

In terms of self-care, I’ve learned that my own happiness takes top priority. I’ve learned when enough is enough when it comes to studying. There is a point where you will study so much that nothing will stick. Essentially, your brain is drained. Whenever this occurred, I would either take a nap or go to bed and continue studying in the morning. During exams, I’ve been able to practice mindfulness by taking deep breaths when I’m stressed. I find myself stopping around the half way point to close my eyes and just relax. This helps reduce my testing anxiety along with re-centering my thoughts. In terms of time management, I’ve learned how to prioritize what needs to be completed and when. I make use of an electronic calendar that orders all my assignments in order of due date as a list. I found that doing this helps me manage my time better and more efficiently. I plan on taking this skill forward into my nursing practice to aid me with task management and completion.

Lastly, this semester helped me put everything together as a nursing student. While I am nervous to begin my professional practice, I am really excited to start my professional career as a nurse. I will be working at Maine Medical Center after graduation on a cardiac and telemetry floor. I have recently purchased a nursing book published by Wolter Kluwer on cardiac care and procedures to help me prepare for my career at MMC. The skills that I’ve learned in nursing school will help me go forward into my own practice. This includes what resources I have available to help me as nurse such as professional journals, LEXI-COMP, my nurse manager and charge nurse, and even fellow co-workers. The ATI tests and remediations helped me improve upon areas where my understanding needed to be improved. Doing the practice ATI tests have helped reduce the anxiety I have towards taking the NCLEX exam. I feel more confident in taking the NCLEX exam and starting my career now than I did before as this semester comes to a conclusion.