Sample of a Study Plan

A Study Plan

Acute gerontology nursing is a nursing branch that entails advanced care of the elderly presenting with acute critical/severe conditions. Gerontology requires advanced knowledge and skills in health assessment, ordering, supervising, conducting diagnostic and laboratory tests, interpreting the results, and prescribing pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments. Considering the wide scope of gerontology nursing, prior preparation for the national certification examination is necessary.

I have vast knowledge in health assessment, differential diagnosis and skills of ordering, supervising, and conducting diagnostic and laboratory tests. Clinical exposure has been particularly important in reinforcing my knowledge and skills. I, however, have a few challenges in prescribing pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments attributed to minimal exposure. I find it challenging to interpret laboratory findings because I find it difficult working with numbers, percentages, and ratios.

I shall be using my free time after my shift to access the library and spend time studying the various systems and treatment modalities using available pharmacology books. I shall be extending my shift in the hospital and focus on prescribing treatments for patients in the hospital setting. I shall also be waking up at four in the morning to study diagnostic and laboratory tests in gerontology. The use of mnemonics and cramming are mental strategies of retaining information that works for me. I shall also persuade my fellow students to form a group discussion so that we can study treatment modalities. In the four weeks remaining, I would like to have had a wide review of the various systems’ physiology, to widen my knowledge in pharmacology, to effectively prescribe treatment for a patient, and to have advanced knowledge in diagnostic and laboratory tests.

Table 1.0

My Study Timetable

Time/day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
4:30pm-8pm Pharmacology of the various body systems Pharmacology of the various body systems Group discussion on treatment modalities Case study on treatment modalities with group members Pharmacology of the various body systems Review normal physiology of various systems Case study to assess progress
4am:6am Blood tests, normal findings, pathological findings and their inferences Urine tests, normal findings, pathological findings and their inferences Stool tests, normal findings, pathological findings and their inferences Structured case study as an evaluation tool to enhance knowledge. Blood tests, normal findings, pathological findings and their inferences Radiological tests, normal findings, pathological findings and their inferences Case study to assess progress and knowledge level

 

References