Goals help you stay highly motivated and give you clarity, direction, and a sharp focus on every aspect of your career or (nurse) life.
By establishing clear goals for yourself, you are allowing yourself to have a particular aim or target.
Many people use a technique called the SMART goal to direct them in setting their goals. This article will teach you how to set up SMART goals for nursing and will provide you with numerous examples.
The main components of the SMART goal are these five components. This straightforward but effective technique provides structure, guarantees that your objectives are reasonable, and makes them attainable.
The SMART goal aids you in defining your goal’s “future state” and the metrics by which it will be measured.
If you’re a nurse practitioner, for instance, you might set goals like, “I’ll be the best at _____.” This particular set of objectives is nebulous and lacks focus.
I urge you to watch this in-depth video from DecisionSkills before reading any further.
- Enhance communication with other personnel. …
- Strengthen organizational skills. …
- Increase psychomotor ability. …
- Increase medical knowledge. …
- Strengthen critical thinking skills. …
- Develop leadership skills. …
- Enhance assertiveness skills. …
- Provide quality patient education.
10 tips for new nurse preceptors
Examples of SMART Objectives Throughout Your Preceptorship
Simple Objective: I’ll determine my learning style
SMART Objective: I’ll take a free online test to determine my preferred learning style. I’ll then speak with my instructor and go over my test-based findings. I’ll incorporate any advice from my teacher and determine what kind of learning style works best for me.
I will discuss what I learned about my learning style with my preceptor when we meet so that we can jointly determine a teaching and learning approach based on that information that works for both of us.
Simple Objective: I want to get along well with my preceptor.
SMART Objective: I will always treat my preceptor with respect, ask inquiries, and seek clarification when necessary. I will seek feedback and suggestions for improvement each day. I will always demonstrate my openness to learning and show my preceptor that I am listening to their advice with a teachable attitude.
My straightforward objective is to operate the Pyxis (medication) machine expertly by the end of the second day.
SMART Goal: Unless there is an emergency, I will request permission from my preceptor to remove all the medications. I’ll pay close attention to how many pills I need to take out and always make sure I pulled the right prescription.
My straightforward objective is to locate the linens, Pyxis machines, crash carts, and fire extinguishers. I also want to have the door codes memorized.
SMART Goal: I’ll request a tour from my preceptor of the locations of all the aforementioned items. I will have a simple map of the unit, mark the locations of each item, and carry the paper around with me until I become familiar with it. If necessary, I’ll spend some of my lunch break and some of my after-work time figuring out where the things are and how to get to them the quickest.
I hope to know where everything is by the end of the first week.
Simple Goal: I want to connect with the patients.
SMART Objective: I’ll spend an additional five minutes in each patient’s room to learn more about them and establish a personal connection.
By the end of the first week of my preceptorship, I will enroll in a quick course on patient communication techniques to sharpen my skills.
Simple Objective: I want to develop the ability to provide the incoming nurse with a superb factual report.
SMART Goal: I’ll pay close attention to the details my preceptor relays the first few times when reporting to them. To ensure that I don’t overlook crucial details, I will use a report sheet in the SBAR format. I’ll take notes and ask my preceptor for feedback after each report. I then make an effort to take the suggestions into account for my next report.
Simple Goa: I want to improve my prioritizing skills
SMART Objective: I’ll ask my preceptor for advice on prioritizing and watch how they do it to see if I can apply any of their methods. In order to avoid overloading myself, I’ll try to implement one tip per day.
Simple Goal: I want to learn good time management skills.
SMART Goal: I will ask my preceptor for time management tools because I know they are the best source of information. I want to noticeably improve my time management by the end of each week.
I will discuss all the areas for improvement with my preceptor each week and implement these the following week.
Simple Objective: I want to feel at ease talking to doctors.
SMART Objective: I will work on communicating with the doctors every day, including calling, paging, and speaking to them face-to-face. Before every interaction, regardless of whether I call or speak to the doctor personally, I will discuss with my preceptor all the important details I must mention and the imperative questions I must pose.
I want to speak with the doctors by the end of the third week without any direction from my preceptor or assistance.
I realize that for new nurses, physicians can be intimidating. I’ll watch my preceptor and other nurses and staff interact with the doctors and copy them, then I’ll do the same.
My straightforward objective is to feel at ease handing off tasks to the LPNs and CNAs.
SMART Goal: I’m anxious about assigning tasks as a new registered nurse. Of course, I’ll ask my preceptor how to assign tasks properly. Additionally, I’ll watch how other nurses perform their duties. Every time I delegate a task, I’ll take the five rights of delegation into account.
Simple Objective: I want to be able to accurately record patient information in my notes.
SMART Objective: I’ll ask my preceptor for a list of details that must be in the notes and a list of details that, depending on the patient’s circumstances, I may add.
To ensure a thorough note, I’ll use the ADPIE documentation format (assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation). I’ll also use flow sheets to keep track of patient data.
When I’m at home, I’ll go over my notes on documentation every day and inquire with other students about what they have discovered. The next day, I try to put what I’ve learned into practice.
I want to see results by the end of the first month so that my preceptor only needs to make a few changes to my documentation.
Simple Objective: I want to rotate to the units where I struggle, like the cardiac unit.
SMART Goal: I am aware that I will be rotating among various hospital units. I will ask to be rotated to teams that will allow me to develop my skill set. For instance, I might request to spend some time on a telemetry floor if I need assistance with analyzing heart rhythms.
Simple Objective: I want to feel confident injecting by the end of the first week.
SMART Objective: I’ll ask my preceptor to let me administer all the injections so I can hone my technique and feel comfortable doing it. Additionally, I can practice at home using an orange and a syringe.
My straightforward objective is to locate the location of the pharmacy, laboratory, imaging center, surgical center, and morgue.
SMART Goal: By the second week, I will ask my preceptor to give me a tour and show me where everything is located. Every day after work, I will then walk to each location until I am confident that I know where everything is without hesitation.
Simple: I want to successfully insert IV lines by the end of the second month.
SMART: I’ll ask to insert each IV line that we have. If I have trouble starting IVs, I will look at a chart of the veins and other how-to guides.
I will request to spend one day in an area that frequently starts IVs, such as the emergency room or the catheterization lab.
What Exactly Are Nursing Clinical Goals? One thing that separates the good from the great nursing students is their clinical goals and making the effort to get the most experience out of your time in clinicals as possible. Many
1. They keep you on track. 2. Progress is monitored and tracked. 3. Pushes you out of your comfort zone. 4. It will keep you on track for what is required. 5. Ensure you get the most out of the experience. 6. You will gain a better understanding of your work preferences. 7. Setting and achieving goals boosts confidence across a variety of spheres of life.
What Is a Preceptor in Nursing?
A nurse preceptor is more than a mentor. A nurse preceptor’s role in the life of the person they are orienting is temporary, in contrast to the ongoing relationship that mentoring implies. You have the duty to serve as the department’s liaison to new nurses in this position. You’ll aid them in better comprehending elements like typical levels of care, rules, and practices. You could introduce them to your patients and other staff members, which would facilitate their successful transitions.
You’ll assume a variety of roles as a nurse preceptor, including educator, mentor, nurse, confidante, evaluator, and sounding board. You’ll assist new, inexperienced, or student nurses with their onboarding and acclimatization to their new settings. In an ideal world, you’ll be their best asset and the reason they stay away from burnout and intolerable stress levels.
If it sounds like the role of a nurse preceptor is valued and important, it is. You, more than anyone else in your department, have the power to help the newest members of your staff become successful, confident nursing professionals. It takes a kind, caring, and knowledgeable person to be successful in the role of nurse preceptor, and not everyone is well suited to this position. If you are one of the chosen few, however, your days will be more fulfilling and rewarding than you might imagine.
Learn everything you need to know about obtaining an online Master of Science in Nursing by downloading your guide.
#3 Efficiency
I’ll keep track of any additional tasks after each timetabling meeting so that I can effectively manage all of my responsibilities and balance my time.
This will benefit me as it improves my overall time management.
As soon as I leave the patient’s room and while the information is still current and complete in my mind, I will immediately record all of my notes about the patient.
This will enable me to verify the information’s accuracy before moving on to my next project.
I plan to attend two workshops by the end of the year that will help me with my area of expertise or another area that will benefit me for the advancement of my career as a nurse.
I’ll then give you some illustrations of SMART goals for nursing students.
FAQ
What are your goals as a preceptor?
The preceptor’s objective is to offer worthwhile teaching and learning opportunities and serve as an example of safe patient care through the use of evidence-based practice. An experienced nurse with 20 years of experience who is new to the unit may be working with preceptors.
What are some goals for new nurses?
- Manage advanced technologies.
- Get nursing certifications.
- Find a mentor.
- Advance your nursing degree.
- Start volunteering.
- Specialize in a particular nursing field.
- Take care of yourself.
- Improve efficiency.
What are the 5 SMART nursing goals?
- Safety.
- Patient Care.
- Efficiency.
- Accuracy.
- Professional Development.
How do I become a good preceptor for a new nurse?
Nurse preceptors must be able to give orders in a clear, concise manner, delegate authority responsibly, and allow student nurses to make mistakes so they can learn from them. Good communication skills are a must.
