OUNDED. GUIDED. FOCUSED. These qualities are some of the benefits of setting a goal. In every journey we make, it is crucial that we know what our targets are. Your present priorities can include obtaining an advanced nursing degree, rising to a position of leadership, or mastering a particular skill. Whatever the case, experience, education that builds skills, and strategic planning are all necessary for effective career advancement. 

But what clearly are some of the criteria you should consider in choosing your goals?

Nursing Goals Criteria

Setting goals creates a system for assessing and tracking advancement toward your nursing career goals. Your objectives lay out a roadmap for your career that will help you acquire the knowledge, expertise, and training you need to succeed. 

It is a common suggestion that your goal should be SMART. This principle is also applied in the field of education. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By defining these parameters in relation to your goal, you can be sure that your goals can be attained in a set amount of time. This method removes generalizations and hunches, establishes a precise time frame, and makes it simpler to monitor progress and spot missing milestones.

1. Specific 

A goal must be specific in order to be successful. Make a list of the experiences you’d like to have. What goals do you have for the first three months of your practice? Making the most of your time in this way can help you develop your skills more quickly. Setting a specific objective might give you the confidence to volunteer even when it is difficult. 

2. Measurable 

While being specific is a good place to start, having your goals quantifiable (i.e., making sure they’re measurable) will make it simpler to monitor your progress and determine when you’ve succeeded. This kind of goal includes a plan for increasing your pay scale. 

Progressing to even more advanced nursing levels is often equated with professional achievement for nurses. You can advance through the ranks and acquire more autonomy and responsibility starting with nursing assistant and nursing assistant II and ending with registered nurse (RN), nurse practitioner, and clinical nurse specialist (CNS). Additionally, you can progress up the wage scale as you gain experience.

3. Attainable 

At this stage of the procedure, you should give yourself a sobering reality check. Realistic goals should be set rather than lofty ideals from which you will certainly fall. Consider this: Are you reasonably capable of achieving your goal? 

4. Relevant

You need to consider the big picture at this point. Why have you chosen the objective? If you are planning to acquire a skill, try considering its relevance to your chosen field. It should align with your values and your long-term goals.

5. Time-bound

Goals that have a timeframe. You must know your definition of success to measure it effectively. What is the span of your time? When will you begin developing and carrying out the tasks you have identified? How soon will they be done?

These criteria are suggestions to guide you on what goals you might consider. The SMART method works effectively when combined but they don’t have to go all together for one purpose. You may derive your own criteria as you go along to setting your own personal nursing goal. 

Five Nursing Goals

To help you more on the goals you want to set for yourself, here are five common and general nursing goals you can make a specific and personalized nursing goal of your own.

1.  Advanced technologies management

The only thing that is constant about medical technology is that it is always changing. In order to produce, access, or update patient files, nurses who work in healthcare facilities frequently use technology, such as portable patient monitors or telehealth services. No matter how intimidating it may appear, learning how to use these healthcare tools can help your career.

Follow these steps to stay current with evolving technology in the medical industry:

• Get nursing-related periodicals and journals.
• Download nursing apps
• Become a member of nursing organizations

2. Nursing Field Specialization

Although nurses are often dubbed as good in all fields of nursing, it is still best to specialize. Maybe you became a nurse as a result of a particular life situation that spoke to you, like losing a loved one to cancer. Or perhaps you’ve been a registered nurse for a few years and have discovered that you love working with kids. In either case, nurses have a wide range of specialty options available to them.

These are some of the specializations you might want to consider:

• Ambulatory care
• Cardiovascular (care for patients with heart and blood issues)
• Dialysis (the removal of waste from a patient’s kidneys)
• Gastroenterology
• Geriatrics (care for elderly adults)
• Holistic care
• Infection control and prevention
• Medical-surgical

3. Communication Skills

Developing communication skills is crucial for nurses to advance in their careers. Healthy connections with coworkers, patients, and families can be improved by having strong communication skills. For nurses, effective communication extends beyond written and vocal exchanges. Actively listening nurses are better able to care for patients, follow instructions from doctors, and work as a team.

You might want to consider these aspects in improving or developing an expertise in your communication skills.

• Written communication
• Patient Education
• Personal Connections
• Cultural Awareness

4. Self-Care 

Nurses who take care of themselves will ultimately be able to work more effectively and give their patients better care. Self-care is much more than just a Sunday bubble bath. All people should engage in a variety of intentional activities for their mental and physical health. Self-care is vital for everyone, but it’s crucial for nurses whose primary duty is to care for others. To give superior nursing care, you must consistently replenish your tank.

5. Work-Life Balance

A balanced lifestyle can improve your performance as a nurse. It’s simple to become a workaholic and bring work home with you, but doing so will lead to burnout. Your physical, emotional, and recreational needs should all be given top attention as you practice self-care. Making time for fun is a goal that can advance your career for some selfless people, which many nurses are. Success in every area of life results from being content and healthy.

These are some of the nursing goals that will help you on the road to continued professional growth. The list is not limited to these. In fact, it doesn’t have to have a limit. Continue progressing with your career until you reach your concept of success.

A hand on your Nursing Goals from AuRNPathway

AuRNPathway desires that you achieve your nursing goal. We can be a helping hand as you start your journey to achieving them. A goal starts with an idea that eventually leads to fulfilling it. Kickstart that idea by acting on it. We, at AuRNPathway, openly welcome you on board to help you set sail on your chosen nursing journey.

References: 

15 Examples of Nursing Career Goals. 2022.

Boogard, K. 2021. How to Write SMART Goals.