From the perspective of a senior nursing student, write three short- and two long-term goals (or vice versa) professional nursing SMART goals. Each goal must be written in the SMART format and include a month and year deadline. In addition, each SMART goal must include three action steps that need to be accomplished to meet the goal. SMART goals must be related
to your professional development as a nurse and should align with your long-term career aspirations. It is crucial to set realistic and achievable goals that can be measured and evaluated in a specific time frame. By setting SMART goals, you can effectively track your progress and make adjustments if necessary.
Short-term Goals:
1. Goal: Increase knowledge and competence in medication administration to enhance patient safety.
SMART:
– Specific: To improve my understanding and skills in medication administration techniques.
– Measurable: Successfully complete a medication administration course and pass the associated exam.
– Attainable: Attend a medication administration course offered at my college or through a professional organization.
– Relevant: Enhance patient safety by implementing evidence-based medication administration practices.
– Time-bound: Complete medication administration course and exam by December 2022.
Action Steps:
a) Enroll in a medication administration course offered by my college or through a professional organization by September 2022.
b) Attend all scheduled classes and actively participate in discussions and practical sessions.
c) Study diligently and review course materials regularly to ensure a comprehensive understanding of medication administration principles and techniques.
2. Goal: Improve communication and collaborative skills with healthcare team members.
SMART:
– Specific: Enhance communication and collaborative skills to foster effective teamwork.
– Measurable: Successfully participate in collaborative group projects and receive positive feedback from team members.
– Attainable: Engage in workshops or seminars that focus on communication and teamwork in healthcare settings.
– Relevant: Promote patient-centered care by cultivating effective communication and collaborative skills.
– Time-bound: Demonstrate improved communication and collaborative skills within team projects by February 2023.
Action Steps:
a) Attend a workshop or seminar on effective communication and teamwork in healthcare settings by December 2022.
b) Actively engage in group projects during clinical rotations and actively contribute to discussions and decision-making processes.
c) Seek feedback from healthcare team members and incorporate their suggestions to continuously improve communication and collaboration skills.
3. Goal: Develop proficiency in evidence-based practice and research to enhance nursing practice.
SMART:
– Specific: Improve understanding and utilization of evidence-based practice and research in nursing.
– Measurable: Successfully complete a research methodology course and apply evidence-based practices in clinical settings.
– Attainable: Enroll in a research methodology course offered at my college or through a professional organization.
– Relevant: Enhance nursing practice by incorporating evidence-based strategies into patient care.
– Time-bound: Complete research methodology course and implement evidence-based practices in clinical settings by June 2023.
Action Steps:
a) Enroll in a research methodology course offered by my college or through a professional organization by March 2023.
b) Actively participate in class discussions, complete assignments, and seek clarification from instructors if needed.
c) Apply evidence-based practices in clinical settings during my nursing rotations, seek feedback from preceptors, and evaluate the outcomes to assess the effectiveness of these practices.
Long-term Goals:
1. Goal: Attain a leadership position in nursing to contribute to the improvement of healthcare outcomes.
SMART:
– Specific: Obtain a nursing leadership role within a healthcare organization.
– Measurable: Secure a leadership position within the next five years.
– Attainable: Gain relevant experience through progressive roles and pursue advanced education, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.
– Relevant: Influence and contribute to improved healthcare outcomes by leading and implementing evidence-based practices.
– Time-bound: Secure a leadership position within a healthcare organization by September 2027.
Action Steps:
a) Gain experience in various nursing roles, such as charge nurse or nurse manager, to develop leadership skills and knowledge.
b) Pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a focus on leadership and administration.
c) Seek mentorship opportunities with experienced nurse leaders and actively network within the nursing field to enhance career prospects.
2. Goal: Contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge and practice through research and publication.
SMART:
– Specific: Conduct research and publish findings in reputable nursing journals.
– Measurable: Successfully complete a research project and have at least two publications accepted in peer-reviewed nursing journals.
– Attainable: Collaborate with experienced researchers, attend research conferences, and actively engage in research activities.
– Relevant: Contribute to the development of evidence-based nursing practice by sharing research findings.
– Time-bound: Complete a research project and have two publications accepted by December 2030.
Action Steps:
a) Identify a research topic of interest and consult with experienced researchers or faculty members for guidance and mentorship.
b) Develop a research proposal, obtain necessary approvals, and conduct the research study.
c) Write manuscripts based on the research findings and submit them to reputable nursing journals, actively responding to reviewers’ comments to improve the chances of acceptance.