Topic: Reflection
In this course many assignments were completed that pertain to the following course objectives. As you reflect back on these objectives, what assignment do you feel was most beneficial to your learning concepts related to your role as a PMHNP and how do you feel this assignment has prepared you for practice?
· NU673-1: Choose a consistent approach to the evaluation and management of mental health disorders and conditions for adult/geriatric patients, and patients across the lifespan, presenting in the acute and/or primary care setting.
· NU673-2: Inspect diagnostic testing based on the history and mental health assessment of adult/geriatric patients presenting with acute, chronic, and complex mental health disorders in the acute and/or primary care setting.
· NU673-3: Determine evidence-based, therapeutic, patient-centered treatment plans that incorporate traditional and complementary pharmacological/nonpharmaceutical interventions for adult/geriatric clients in the acute and/or primary care setting.
· NU673-4: Select age-appropriate mental health and physical health maintenance and screening plans for adult/geriatric clients with mental health disorders, taking into consideration cultural, gender, ethnic, spiritual, and social competencies.
· NU673-5: Examine professional values and ethical/legal standards of the PMHNP role with regard to client safety, outcome improvement, and collaborative relationships in the delivery of mental health care to the adult/geriatric client population.
Provide evidence (citations and references) to support your statements and opinions.
All references and citations should be in APA format where appropriate.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step 1: Review the Course Objectives
Re-read all five course objectives listed. Highlight key themes like:
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Clinical reasoning
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Diagnostic tools
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Treatment planning
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Culturally competent care
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Professional ethics
This will help you align your reflection with what was expected.
Step 2: Select the Most Beneficial Assignment
Think back on the assignments you completed. Choose one that:
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Helped you apply real-world PMHNP skills
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Required diagnostic thinking or evidence-based planning
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Challenged you to reflect on ethical or cultural issues in care
Examples might include:
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Case study with pharmacologic/nonpharmacologic plan
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SOAP note documentation
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Comprehensive mental health evaluation
Step 3: Write Your Reflection
Structure your reflection using this suggested format:
Introduction (2–3 sentences)
Briefly introduce the course and its purpose.
Example:
“Throughout NU673, I gained critical skills necessary for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practice. The assignments allowed me to apply evidence-based clinical knowledge to diverse adult/geriatric populations in both acute and primary care settings.”
Paragraph 1: Identify and Describe the Assignment
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Clearly name the assignment
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Briefly summarize its purpose
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Describe what skills it targeted
Example:
“The most beneficial assignment was the Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation for an adult patient with generalized anxiety disorder. This task helped me apply structured assessment tools and formulate accurate diagnoses using DSM-5 criteria.”
Paragraph 2: Link the Assignment to Course Objectives
Choose 2–3 objectives that the assignment best fulfilled and explain how.
Example:
“This assignment aligned closely with NU673-1 and NU673-3. I utilized a systematic evaluation approach to identify anxiety symptoms and then created a patient-centered treatment plan using both SSRIs and cognitive-behavioral therapy, which reflects a dual therapeutic strategy as discussed by Stahl (2021).”
Paragraph 3: Reflection on Practice Readiness
Explain how this assignment prepared you for clinical work:
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Did it build confidence?
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Clarify ethical decision-making?
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Improve treatment planning?
Example:
“This assignment increased my clinical confidence by reinforcing structured diagnostic thinking. It also emphasized culturally sensitive care and collaborative communication, which are crucial for ensuring patient safety and trust in the PMHNP role (American Psychiatric Nurses Association [APNA], 2020).”
Conclusion (2 sentences)
Wrap up by stating your overall growth.
“This experience has better prepared me to manage real-world psychiatric scenarios with professionalism, accuracy, and empathy. I look forward to applying these lessons in clinical rotations and beyond.”
Step 4: Add APA Citations & References
Use APA 7th edition format for your references. Here are some that may help you:
Textbook Citation Example:
Stahl, S. M. (2021). Stahl’s essential psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical applications (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Professional Organization Example:
American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (2020). PMHNP competencies. https://www.apna.org
DSM-5 Citation Example:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Reflecting on PMHNP Course Objectives and Clinical Preparedness appeared first on Skilled Papers.
