{"id":8520,"date":"2024-08-23T04:13:31","date_gmt":"2024-08-23T08:13:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/15-smart-goals-examples-for-your-nursing-career\/"},"modified":"2024-08-23T04:13:31","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T08:13:31","slug":"15-smart-goals-examples-for-your-nursing-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/15-smart-goals-examples-for-your-nursing-career\/","title":{"rendered":"15 SMART Goals Examples for Your Nursing Career"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/hop.clickbank.net\/?affiliate=infohatch&amp;vendor=J1R2C\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10614 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png\" alt=\"Profit Gen\" width=\"400\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png 400w, http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px-300x163.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n<p><em>There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Pursuing a nursing career requires plenty of discipline and effort. You have to learn how to care for a sick or injured person and comfort them when they feel at their weakest.<\/p>\n<p>When pursuing a nursing career, your physical and mental health are put at risk. So it\u2019s vital to develop skills that will help you stay organized and efficient, stay motivated, and succeed at work, such as creating SMART goals. Nursing becomes much more fulfilling when you know how to achieve your aims.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-are-smart-goals\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_SMART_Goals\"\/>What Are SMART Goals?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Most people create goals to help them achieve the desired outcome. But very few stick to them until the end. This is because they approach goal setting the wrong way.<\/p>\n<p>Have a look at these two statements:<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-icon-list stk-block-icon-list stk-block stk-bbc4fdc\" data-block-id=\"bbc4fdc\"><svg style=\"display:none\"><defs><g id=\"stk-icon-list__icon-svg-def-bbc4fdc\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-prefix=\"far\" data-icon=\"hand-point-right\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-hand-point-right fa-w-16\" role=\"img\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M428.8 137.6h-86.177a115.52 115.52 0 0 0 2.176-22.4c0-47.914-35.072-83.2-92-83.2-45.314 0-57.002 48.537-75.707 78.784-7.735 12.413-16.994 23.317-25.851 33.253l-.131.146-.129.148C135.662 161.807 127.764 168 120.8 168h-2.679c-5.747-4.952-13.536-8-22.12-8H32c-17.673 0-32 12.894-32 28.8v230.4C0 435.106 14.327 448 32 448h64c8.584 0 16.373-3.048 22.12-8h2.679c28.688 0 67.137 40 127.2 40h21.299c62.542 0 98.8-38.658 99.94-91.145 12.482-17.813 18.491-40.785 15.985-62.791A93.148 93.148 0 0 0 393.152 304H428.8c45.435 0 83.2-37.584 83.2-83.2 0-45.099-38.101-83.2-83.2-83.2zm0 118.4h-91.026c12.837 14.669 14.415 42.825-4.95 61.05 11.227 19.646 1.687 45.624-12.925 53.625 6.524 39.128-10.076 61.325-50.6 61.325H248c-45.491 0-77.21-35.913-120-39.676V215.571c25.239-2.964 42.966-21.222 59.075-39.596 11.275-12.65 21.725-25.3 30.799-39.875C232.355 112.712 244.006 80 252.8 80c23.375 0 44 8.8 44 35.2 0 35.2-26.4 53.075-26.4 70.4h158.4c18.425 0 35.2 16.5 35.2 35.2 0 18.975-16.225 35.2-35.2 35.2zM88 384c0 13.255-10.745 24-24 24s-24-10.745-24-24 10.745-24 24-24 24 10.745 24 24z\"\/><\/svg><\/g><\/defs><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"stk-block-icon-list__ul stk-block-icon-list--column\">\n<ul class=\"stk-block-icon-list__group\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-stackable-icon-list-item stk-block-icon-list-item stk-block stk-632e302\" data-block-id=\"632e302\"\/>\n<li class=\"wp-block-stackable-icon-list-item stk-block-icon-list-item stk-block stk-d171985\" data-block-id=\"d171985\">\n<div class=\"stk-block-icon-list-item__content\"><span class=\"stk--svg-wrapper\"\/><span class=\"stk-block-icon-list-item__text\">To pass my exam, I will study for at least 20 minutes every day and reread the chapters as I complete them.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The first statement is a goal nursing students may typically set. The second one is a SMART goal. In addition to stating the goal, a <a data-lasso-id=\"48344\" href=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/goal-setting-worksheet\/\">SMART goal<\/a> also includes instructions on how to achieve it. This is the only way an action plan can work.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSMART\u201d stands for \u201cSpecific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what each segment means in practice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>S: Specific<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Being specific is crucial for achieving both short- and long-term goals. The questions your goal should answer are \u201cWhat?\u201d \u201cWho?\u201d \u201cWhen?\u201d \u201cWhere?\u201d \u201cWhich?\u201d and \u201cWhy?\u201d Then, once you reach a specific milestone or the final deadline, you\u2019ll be sure you achieved the goal.<\/p>\n<p><strong>M: Measurable<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Measurable goals have a precise time, amount, or another unit of measurement built into them. It\u2019s easy to track your progress if the goal has metrics. For example, if the objective is to read 20 pages of a book each day or to spend 15 minutes doing yoga, it\u2019s easy to measure how much of the activity you actually did.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A: Attainable<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Goals that aren\u2019t attainable often lead to frustration. When creating a goal, examine your current life situation and aim for objectives that aren\u2019t beyond your reach. Otherwise, failure can be discouraging.<\/p>\n<p>Imagine setting a goal to get a nursing job in the most elite private hospital right after graduation. Although not impossible, it\u2019s doubtful that a person can master everything it takes to become a highly skilled nurse practitioner so early in their career.<\/p>\n<p><strong>R: Relevant<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Relevant goals are about what you really need and want. Your goals should align with what you hold dear and value in life.<\/p>\n<p>You probably have more than one goal in life. Focusing on all of them at once is highly unlikely to bring success. Instead, shift your attention to the goals that are most relevant to your current life situation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T: Time-Bound<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Time-bound goals are about setting deadlines. When creating a goal, you want to set a target date to achieve it. When you look at your goal, the outcome should be clear. And as the deadline approaches, it will be visible whether or not you are on track to succeed.<\/p>\n<p>An essential part of setting goals is the wording. You can achieve fantastic results when you focus on the right things. However, when you don\u2019t, it\u2019s only a matter of time before your motivation dies. This is why it\u2019s best to shift your attention from outcome to process goals. You can learn more about the difference in <a data-lasso-id=\"48345\" href=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/process-goals\/\">this blog post<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>To learn more about SMART goals, check out <a data-lasso-id=\"48346\" href=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/smartgoals\/\">this post<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-smart-goals-are-important-for-nurses\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_SMART_Goals_Are_Important_for_Nurses\"\/>Why SMART Goals Are Important for Nurses<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aacnnursing.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"48347\">American Association of Colleges and Nursing (AACN)<\/a>, over 250,000 students are enrolled in a program preparing new registered nurses at the baccalaureate level. There was a surprising <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aacnnursing.org\/News-Information\/Press-Releases\/View\/ArticleId\/24802\/2020-survey-data-student-enrollment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"48348\">5.6%<\/a> increase in 2020.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/smart-goals-nurse.jpg\" data-lasso-id=\"48349\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" alt=\"what are the 5 smart goals in nursing | nursing goals examples | smart goals for nursing students during preceptorship examples\" class=\"wp-image-29098\" style=\"width:480px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/smart-goals-nurse.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/smart-goals-nurse-300x225.jpg 300w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/smart-goals-nurse.jpg\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/smart-goals-nurse.jpg\" alt=\"what are the 5 smart goals in nursing | nursing goals examples | smart goals for nursing students during preceptorship examples\" class=\"wp-image-29098\" style=\"width:480px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/smart-goals-nurse.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/smart-goals-nurse-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Setting SMART goals will ensure you complete your objectives. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>To compete with your peers in nursing school or as a practitioner, you need to give your all to succeed. The best way to do so is by setting goals that will keep you focused and motivated. Setting SMART goals will ensure you complete your objectives.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-8-smart-goal-examples-for-nurses\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_SMART_Goal_Examples_for_Nurses\"\/>8 SMART Goal Examples for Nurses<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-improve-communication-skills\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Improve_Communication_Skills\"\/>1. Improve Communication Skills<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#cce9f5\"><strong>To improve my communication skills, I will listen closely to what others say. If I can\u2019t keep up, I will ask them to clarify. Finally, I will ask people whether they understood me after I\u2019ve spoken. I should become a better communicator by the end of the year.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S:<\/strong> This goal explains precisely how to improve your communication skills.<\/p>\n<p><strong>M:<\/strong> By asking for clarity anytime you don\u2019t understand something, you can measure your progress based on how often you have to ask in a given day or month.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> This is a reasonable, attainable goal you can start doing anytime, anywhere.<\/p>\n<p><strong>R:<\/strong> The goal is relevant to becoming a better nurse since communication is vital in this field.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T:<\/strong> At the end of the year, you can compare your communication skills before starting this process-oriented goal.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-improve-time-management\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Improve_Time_Management\"\/>2. Improve Time Management<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfcbf\"><strong>I will document all tasks following a weekly timetable during my workday to balance my time and accomplish my duties more efficiently. I will do this for two weeks to improve my overall time management.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S:<\/strong> This goal explains precisely what you can do to improve your time management as a nurse.<\/p>\n<p><strong>M: <\/strong>You can measure the number of tasks you documented and how much more efficient you\u2019ve become by the extra time you have for other jobs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> This goal is attainable and straightforward.<\/p>\n<p><strong>R: <\/strong>Having strong time management skills is crucial when you\u2019re a nurse. This goal is relevant to your nursing career.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T:<\/strong> You should document the tasks each week following the timetable. You can create an additional sense of urgency by deciding that you have to complete the documentation before returning to work. Two weeks is enough time to see if the strategy works for you.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-be-more-accurate\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Be_More_Accurate\"\/>3. Be More Accurate<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffeded\"><strong>To become more accurate as a nurse, I will write all notes about my patient when I leave the room while my memory is still fresh. Then, after one week, I should have more accurate notes.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S:<\/strong> Compared to \u201cI want to be more accurate,\u201d this is a rather specific goal describing how you can achieve it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>M:<\/strong> You can measure this goal by how many notes you got down. It\u2019s not good to skip a bunch of notes \u2013 the point is to get ALL of them down right away.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A: <\/strong>You can squeeze in a minute after leaving a patient room to take notes, so this goal is highly attainable.<\/p>\n<p><strong>R:<\/strong> This goal is relevant to your desire to become more accurate at nursing.<\/p>\n<p>T: The sense of urgency is created by \u201cthe moment I leave the room,\u201d so you know you should act fast to complete your goal. In a week, you can see this strategy&#8217;s difference in accuracy.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-develop-professionally\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Develop_Professionally\"\/>4. Develop Professionally<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#edffed\"><strong>I will attend two nursing workshops or webinars annually to help my professional development.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S:<\/strong> Instead of saying, \u201cI want to develop my career,\u201d you state the exact activity that will help you do so.<\/p>\n<p><strong>M:<\/strong> The goal is to attend two events yearly, so it\u2019s easy to measure your progress.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A: <\/strong>Given that you may have to work more than usual this year, anything more than two webinars per year might be hard to achieve.<\/p>\n<p><strong>R: <\/strong>The goal is directly relevant to you advancing your nursing career.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T: <\/strong>The goal resets at the end of the year, so you want to plan your time wisely.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-explain-things-to-patients\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Explain_Things_to_Patients\"\/>5. Explain Things to Patients<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#dcfbfc\"><strong>I will learn to use plain language to communicate better with my patients. In the next three months, whenever I learn a new medical term, I\u2019ll find a simpler way to explain it.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S: <\/strong>This specific goal is changing how you explain things to your patients.<\/p>\n<p>M: The goal progress can be measured by the number of new medical and layman\u2019s terms you learned.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> This goal is attainable, and it\u2019s a win-win for you as a nurse and your patients.<\/p>\n<p><strong>R:<\/strong> This is a highly relevant goal in anyone\u2019s nursing career.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T:<\/strong> After three months, you\u2019ll see a difference in how you communicate with your patients.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-stress-less\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Stress_Less\"\/>6. Stress Less<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-base-background-color has-background\"><strong>To combat stress at work, I will practice stress management. I will exercise, meditate, <a data-lasso-id=\"48350\" href=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/songs-loving-yourself\/\">listen to music,<\/a> or take one hour of time off for myself every day. I\u2019ll also get more sleep and talk to friends and family about what\u2019s troubling me. Then, after two weeks, I\u2019ll re-assess.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S:<\/strong> Instead of saying, \u201cI want to stress less,\u201d you can give specific details about how you can achieve that.<\/p>\n<p><strong>M:<\/strong> You can measure your progress by how many hours you spend on <a data-lasso-id=\"48351\" href=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/types-self-care\/\">self-care<\/a>. Also, you can measure how these activities impact your response to stressful situations at work compared to before.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> You may feel pushed for time, but an hour per day for yourself is not that much. If you can\u2019t make it an hour straight, you can split the activities into thirty-minute sessions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>R:<\/strong> Doing what you love releases tension and stress you may feel at work, so it\u2019s like performing a small reset after a tiresome workday. You\u2019ll start fresh tomorrow, which is relevant to managing stress at work.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T:<\/strong> After two weeks, you can decide if your quality of life has improved.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-7-stay-healthy\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Stay_Healthy\"\/>7. Stay Healthy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff4e2\"><strong>To stay healthy, I will practice healthier habits. For the next month, I will work out every other day and meal prep in advance to ensure my diet is healthy and balanced. In addition, I will eat more raw foods and avoid sugars and soda.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S:<\/strong> This goal describes what you can do to stay healthy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>M:<\/strong> You can measure the goal by how many workouts you got in or how many healthy meals you prepared over the week.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> Working out can take as little as 15 minutes, and meal prep can be done once for the rest of the week so that both goal segments won\u2019t be too time-consuming.<\/p>\n<p><strong>R:<\/strong> Being a nurse in these hectic times is challenging. To keep your immune system up, you must take extra care of your health.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T:<\/strong> Working out every other day means you need to find time off and squeeze in a workout long before it\u2019s time for bed. Also, you can assess how you feel at the end of the month.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-8-be-more-compassionate\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Be_More_Compassionate\"\/>8. Be More Compassionate<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffe8e8\"><strong>To be more compassionate, I will spend two to five minutes asking each new patient about their lives and learning more about their interests. Then, I will discuss their interests to distract them from stressing out about their condition. By next week, I will be a more compassionate caregiver.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S:<\/strong> Instead of saying, \u201cBe more compassionate,\u201d you specify how exactly you can achieve that.<\/p>\n<p><strong>M:<\/strong> If you have never discussed your patients\u2019 interests before, doing so for two to five minutes is a way to measure your progress.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> This goal takes just minutes to complete, and you can do so whenever you find it convenient.<\/p>\n<p><strong>R: <\/strong>This goal is relevant to you becoming a more compassionate nurse practitioner.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T:<\/strong> In just one week, you can decide if this strategy helped you achieve your goal.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Avoid_Burnout\"\/>9. Avoid Burnout<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fefff7\"><strong>To help avoid burnout, I will use my PTO to take time off for a mini vacation at least twice a year. I\u2019ll practice stress reduction techniques, like meditation and yoga, at least three times a week. I\u2019ll try to get enough sleep on my days off. I\u2019ll practice deep breathing if I feel stressed during my shift. I\u2019ll also practice a self-care activity, like getting a pedicure or massage, at least once every two weeks. After three months, I\u2019ll reflect on what helped me feel less stressed and assess whether I have early signs of burnout.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S: <\/strong>This goal is specific because it describes precisely what you\u2019ll do to decompress and reduce stress. The goal also specifies what self-care and stress-reduction techniques you\u2019ll try.<\/p>\n<p><strong>M: <\/strong>The goal is measurable because it states how often you\u2019ll practice techniques to avoid burnout.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>A: <\/strong>The goal is attainable because practicing yoga or meditation three times a week is more accessible than every day. You\u2019ll likely be able to take at least a couple of PTO days twice a year if not more.<\/p>\n<p><strong>R: <\/strong>The goal is relevant because burnout can quickly happen to nurses, given the high stress and demands of the job.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T: <\/strong>The goal sets a timeframe of three months to evaluate your progress and what you\u2019ve done to reduce stress and burnout risk.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Uplevel_My_Skillset\"\/>10. Uplevel My Skillset<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ccfcd2\"><strong>I will try to start at least ten IVs in the next two weeks. I\u2019ll offer to insert IVs, catheters, or NG tubes for other nurses\u2019 patients whenever there\u2019s an opportunity in the next two months. I\u2019ll practice recognizing a cardiac rhythm on telemetry once a shift and discuss my questions with the charge nurse. In three months, I\u2019ll list skills I\u2019ve improved on and ones I want to practice more.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S: <\/strong>This goal is very specific about what skills you want to practice: IVs, catheters, NG tubes, and reading telemetry.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>M: <\/strong>The goal is measurable because you\u2019ll reflect on what went well and where you want to improve after three months.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A: <\/strong>The goal is attainable because most other nurses are always grateful for a helping hand with many of these skills. If you work where there are telemetry patients, you\u2019ll have plenty of rhythm strips to look at and senior nurses to learn from.<\/p>\n<p><strong>R: <\/strong>This goal is relevant because technical skills are always in demand in nursing, although it depends somewhat on where you work. If you work at the bedside, improving your skills will also help you better care for patients.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>T: <\/strong>The goal sets a timeframe to get in as much practice as possible and when to re-assess.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_Be_a_Team_Player\"\/>11. Be a Team Player<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#e0f0fe\"><strong>Whenever I\u2019m caught up with my work, I\u2019ll offer to help coworkers with transferring patients or giving medications. I\u2019ll be kind in all my interactions with doctors, therapists, social workers, and other nurses. Every month, I\u2019ll reflect on any feedback I\u2019ve gotten from supervisors or coworkers.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S: <\/strong>The goal here is to be mindful of your interactions with coworkers. It also talks about which tasks you\u2019ll help others with.<\/p>\n<p><strong>M: <\/strong>By thinking about constructive feedback, you can measure how well you\u2019re working with your team.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A: <\/strong>The goal is attainable since it states that you\u2019ll offer to lend a hand whenever you\u2019re caught up on your work.<\/p>\n<p><strong>R: <\/strong>Being a great team player is integral to being a nurse.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T: <\/strong>The goal sets a monthly timeframe for reflecting on how you\u2019re doing as a team member.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_Improve_Workflow\"\/>12. Improve Workflow<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#e1fcf8\"><strong>I\u2019ll come to my shift ten to fifteen minutes early so I can review my patient assignments before starting. I\u2019ll make a list of the main tasks I need to complete and which patients I need to see first. I\u2019ll try to get the most difficult tasks done early in my shift. Each week, I\u2019ll write down what went well and what could be better. After three weeks, I\u2019ll reassess and think about ways to be even more efficient.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S: <\/strong>Here, you\u2019re setting a goal to be at work ten or fifteen minutes early to have time to prepare. Prioritizing tasks and making a schedule for your shift are specific ways to improve workflow.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>M: <\/strong>A weekly list of things that did or didn\u2019t work can help you measure your workflow and see how you can improve.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>A: <\/strong>The goal is attainable since you\u2019ll already need to do some preparation for work and complete tasks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>R: <\/strong>The goal is relevant because a better workflow will improve efficiency and time management, which will help your day or night run smoothly!<\/p>\n<p><strong>T: <\/strong>Reassessing your progress after three weeks is an excellent time-bound goal.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_Ace_Nursing_Job_Interviews\"\/>13. Ace Nursing Job Interviews<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffefff\"><strong>I will apply for at least three jobs I\u2019m interested in each week and follow up if I haven\u2019t heard back in one week. I\u2019ll research the company two days before my interview and review ten common interview questions online to feel more prepared. I\u2019ll also choose what I\u2019ll wear and think of three questions to ask the interviewer a day ahead.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S: <\/strong>The goal details precisely what you\u2019ll do to secure a job interview and get prepared. It also mentions how many questions you\u2019ll have ready to ask the company.<\/p>\n<p><strong>M: <\/strong>The goal specifies three questions and how many potential interview questions you\u2019ll prepare for. You can also measure your success by whether you get the job!<\/p>\n<p><strong>A: <\/strong>Looking up interview questions online and preparing a day ahead are all attainable goals.<\/p>\n<p><strong>R: <\/strong>If you\u2019re searching for your perfect nursing job, acing the interview is an integral part of the process.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>T: <\/strong>This goal gives you a timeframe for following up with a potential employer and starting to prepare for your interview.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14_Be_More_Thorough\"\/>14. Be More Thorough<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f7ffe8\"><strong>I\u2019ll perform a head-to-toe assessment on each patient within two hours of starting my shift, if they\u2019re more critical. I\u2019ll come to work ten minutes early so I can review my patients&#8217; charts before seeing them. I\u2019ll make a list of each body system to make sure I cover everything in the report. I\u2019ll re-assess where I could improve in a month.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S: <\/strong>This goal mentions what you\u2019ll do to ensure thoroughness, such as conducting full assessments.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>M: <\/strong>The goal is measurable. In a month, you should re-assess areas for improvement and make sure you\u2019ve covered each body system in the report.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>A: <\/strong>Doing a full assessment is likely a part of your workflow. Coming in a little before your shift gives you time to review their chart details.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>R: <\/strong>Being thorough is good practice as a nurse since it helps stop problems before they start.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T: <\/strong>The goal is time-bound because it sets the bar at two hours for when to have patient assessments done and a monthly reflection period.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_Improve_Patient_Outcomes\"\/>15. Improve Patient Outcomes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f7ecf0\"><strong>I will provide printed instructions to patients on discharge and ask them to repeat what I tell them to ensure they understand. I\u2019ll also do thorough assessments each shift and make sure my patients get all their questions answered before they leave.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>S: <\/strong>This goal discusses just a couple of ways to help patients have better outcomes, including making sure they have detailed instructions they understand how to follow.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>M: <\/strong>Having patients repeat what they heard is a way to measure their understanding.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>A: <\/strong>If you discharge patients, you must review discharge instructions anyway. Thinking about the best ways to do it might help improve their outcomes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>R: <\/strong>Many of us enter nursing because we want to help people. This goal is relevant because nurses are a huge part of patient success!<\/p>\n<p><strong>T:\u00a0<\/strong>The goal is time-bound because you ensure all questions are answered before the patient is discharged. Depending on where you work, you may even set reminders to follow up with outpatients and see how they\u2019re doing long-term.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts-on-smart-goals-for-your-nursing-career\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts_on_SMART_Goals_for_Your_Nursing_Career\"\/>Final Thoughts on SMART Goals for Your Nursing Career<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Regardless of where you are in life right now, you can always rely on SMART goals. Nursing doesn\u2019t have to be so challenging when you break each challenge into smaller objectives and face them one at a time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>And if you want more SMART goal ideas and examples, be sure to check out these blog posts:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><b>Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/sgm-content\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"smart goals nursing | smart goals for nurses examples | nursing smart goals and objectives examples\" class=\"wp-image-32578\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.66796875;width:488px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/nursing-smart-goals-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/nursing-smart-goals-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/nursing-smart-goals.jpg 735w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/nursing-smart-goals-683x1024.jpg\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/nursing-smart-goals-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"smart goals nursing | smart goals for nurses examples | nursing smart goals and objectives examples\" class=\"wp-image-32578\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.66796875;width:488px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/nursing-smart-goals-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/nursing-smart-goals-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/nursing-smart-goals.jpg 735w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hop.clickbank.net\/?affiliate=infohatch&amp;vendor=J1R2C\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10614 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png\" alt=\"Profit Gen\" width=\"400\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png 400w, http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px-300x163.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. 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