Posts

ARE Practice Management- Insurance

Image
Understanding the various types of insurance that architecture firms use is important for architects to understand as it allows for the minimization of risk during the design and construction processes of architectural projects. It is also necessary to understand insurance for the successful running of a practice in terms of the legal and business aspects of practice, as well as ensuring the financial security of a firm. The topic of insurance is covered in the Practice Management section of the ARE. Among the types of insurance that the exam taker should be familiar with are professional liability insurance, commercial general liability insurance, worker's compensation insurance, property insurance, commercial automobile insurance, and employment practices insurance. While all of these are particular types of insurance that a business may carry, of particular importance in studying for the ARE exam is to have a solid understanding of professional liability insurance as it pertains...

4 Things to Know While Preparing for the NCLEX

Image
Preparing for the NCLEX can be an incredibly complicated and overwhelming process, especially when the internet is inundated with information and you aren't quite sure where to begin. It can be difficult to know where to start, how exactly to study, or even when to start reviewing the material. Despite the widespread number of resources available, there are some definite things to keep in mind during your preparation that will hopefully aid in providing some clarity throughout the process. We will discuss four different things to know while gearing up for the NCLEX: In this Blog, 4 Things to Know While Preparing for the NCLEX: 1. Make sure your study schedule is sustainable and realistic 2. It is never too early to start studying 3. Identify your strengths and weaknesses early on and tailor your regimen around them 4. You will not know everything and that is okay 1. Make sure your study schedule is ...

The Ultimate NCLEX Checklist for Nursing Students

Image
As if there's not enough on your plate as a nursing student, beginning to prepare for your NCLEX is, unfortunately, another important task on the ever-growing to-do list. So, whether you've just completed your first day as a nursing school student or are in your final semester, this guide will hopefully bring you some clarity and guidance as to where to begin and what steps to take as you gear up to sit for your board exam. Let's take a look at some key actions: In this blog: 1. Get Organized 2. Invest in a review book or course 3. Start studying as early as possible 4. As soon as you are able, register for your NCLEX 5. Practice questions 6. Study with others 7. Hone in on the ways you learn best 8. Don't wait until the last minute to start preparing 9. Utilize old exams and lecture notes 10. Familiarize yourse...

Communication is the Key

Image
When I was an architecture school student, most students worked on their drawings and models up to almost the last minute before the class presentations were scheduled. That mad scramble was thought to be in keeping with the Ecole des Beaux-Arts tradition of the charette - the intensive work period before a studio deadline - named after the cart that was used by the class proctors to collect student works as the time of reckoning arrived. What happened next during the presentation of the projects was not typically a pretty sight. Sleep-deprived students, unsteady on their feet, would proceed to talk about their projects, employing as best they could, the jargon taught in school for the benefit of teachers providing more wide-awake but even more opaque commentary in return. The Presentation Ritual This presentation ritual is what passes for instruction in communications for architects. We are all taught early on in school that drawings are tools to communicat...

NCLEX Question Strategies: Communication Questions

Image
I don't know about you, but I consider myself to be a pretty good communicator! But the fact is, sometimes I say the wrong thing, am not focused on the person talking to me, or just selfishly turn the whole conversation back to myself. Sometimes I'm not a good communicator; I'm a good TALKER! Therapeutic communication involves LISTENING to and OBSERVING and is just as important as learning how to SPEAK to someone. So, when I step into the role of the nurse, my communication strategies need to shift. On the NCLEX exam, you will come across questions that deal with communication strategies and building a trusting relationship with the client. Therapeutic communication falls under the Psychosocial Integrity category, but these questions are not just focused on the mental health setting or the client with a mental health disorder. Therapeutic communication strategies should be considered in all questions related to nursing and patient interaction. And although good communicatio...

ARE Programming and Analysis: Site-Specific Constraints

Image
Architectural design is largely a practice of working within the parameters of project-specific constraints. There are many types of project constraints that an architect must contend with. These often include, among others, project budget, code requirements and limitations, zoning restrictions, and site-specific constraints. It is the last of these aspects which are covered in the Programming & Analysis division of the ARE. With regard to this specific topic, the exam-taker is expected to have the ability to analyze and evaluate the site-specific environmental conditions which may be encountered at particular project sites and understand how these might limit or impact potential building design solutions for the given site. If a site has adverse or constraining conditions, it is necessary to understand how to mitigate or work within these conditions. Alternatively, one might be given possible sites (or areas within a site) for building development and be tasked with selecting the ...

How Many Times Can You Take the NCLEX? Tips to Help You Pass

Image
A major concern regarding the NCLEX exam is how many times the test can be taken. While the ultimate goal is to avoid having to sit for your boards more than one time, it is still best to prepare for both outcomes and know the facts in case you find yourself having to retake it. Let's take a deeper dive into the parameters surrounding the frequency in which you can sit for your boards and discuss some tips to bypass having to do so! While it is not the end of the world if you fail your exam, it is important to explore the specific board of nursing rules in the state where you reside, as there may be some variability. According to the NCSBN website, you can take the exam eight times in one year. In general, however, you must wait 45 days after a failed attempt. Some states may have different rules and regulations, so be sure to investigate the board of nursing website where you live. For example, Florida only allows an individual to fail the exam three times, and if fail...