10 Best Examples Of SMART Goals For Nursing Students During Preceptorship

Written By: Darby FaubionDarby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Darby lives in Louisiana and loves exploring the state’s rich culture and history. Darby has a passion for caring for veterans and a special interest in those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. In her quest to make a difference for veterans, she founded a non-profit called “Operation Battle Buddy.” Read Full Bio »» RN, BSN, MBA

Being in nursing school is an exciting time, and as a nursing student, when you begin to embark on your preceptorship, it is important to have clear goals for success. By identifying SMART goals, you can develop a plan that will help you develop and hone your skills and provide meaningful clinical experiences. Perhaps you have thought of goal setting but wonder, “What are some SMART goals that nursing students can set for themselves during preceptorship?”

SMART goals are an approach to setting goals that are both clear and attainable. "SMART" stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. In this article, I will share information about SMART goals and discuss the 10 best examples of SMART goals nursing students can set for themselves during preceptorship.

What are the Best Smart Goals That Nursing Students Can Set for Themselves During Preceptorship?

(The following are the 10 best examples of smart goals nursing students can set for themselves during preceptorship.)

SMART GOAL #1: Develop Good Relationships with Preceptors

When it comes to success in your preceptorship, one of the most important things you can do is develop good relationships with the preceptors who will mentor you. Clinical preceptors offer a wealth of information and insight from their experiences and can be instrumental in helping you succeed. Strive to develop an open-minded, respectful relationship with your preceptors.

To become a preceptor, nurses must meet experience and education requirements, which means you will be paired with someone who has proven their abilities. I can tell you from experience as a preceptor, one thing that will help you develop a good relationship is to demonstrate a willingness to learn. Ask questions, seek feedback, and volunteer to participate in treatments and other learning experiences.

SMART GOAL #2: Familiarize Yourself with the Unit

Providing timely patient care is essential, and to do that, you must know where to find equipment and supplies. One of the most logical SMART goals for nursing students to set during preceptorship is to become familiar with the unit where they are assigned. Learn where the supply closet is located, where linens are kept, and where to find essential emergency equipment such as crash carts and fire extinguishers.

SMART GOAL #3: Strengthen Organizational Skills

Strengthening organizational skills is crucial for nursing students, especially during your preceptorship. Being organized helps you manage time more effectively. Strong organizational skills positively impact patient care by ensuring you complete tasks on time, which is essential in providing quality, efficient patient care. Also, organizational skills will help you create routines that allow you to balance school and your personal life. Additionally, having strong organizational skills will help build your confidence and demonstrate professionalism.

SMART GOAL #4: Learn to Give End-of-Shift Report

Continuity of care is an essential part of ensuring positive patient outcomes. One way nurses ensure continuity of care is to apprise nurses in oncoming shifts of patient statuses and needs.

When I precepted students, I found it helpful to have students observe end-of-shift reports for the first few days. After that, I gave students the opportunity to provide reports for their patients to the incoming nurses. Consider using an SBAR report form to help you remember important information about your patients. Finally, ask your preceptor for feedback and try to implement any suggestions or advice the next time you give a report.

SMART GOAL #5: Enhance Communication Skills

One of the most important SMART goals you can set for yourself during your preceptorship is to enhance your communication skills. Effective communication in nursing is critical, and the earlier you develop those skills, the better. Having good communication skills helps to build trust between you and your patients and peers, promotes collaboration within your team, and helps reduce risks to safety. At the end of the day, enhancing communication skills can have a ripple effect, impacting patient experiences, improving nurse-patient and interdisciplinary relationships, and enhancing the quality of care patients receive.

SMART GOAL #6: Learn to Prioritize Patient Care

Another important SMART goal all nursing students should have is to learn to prioritize patient care. Prioritization is essential because it helps you make informed decisions and provide time-sensitive care based on the most pressing patient needs. From using the ABCs of Nursing Prioritization to following Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, your ability to prioritize patient care can significantly impact patient outcomes.

SMART GOAL #7: Develop Critical Thinking Skills

As a nurse, you will make important decisions daily. From deciding which patients need care first to determining the type of interventions to implement, critical thinking is integral to your success in nursing. Developing critical thinking skills is an important SMART goal for several reasons.

For example, strong critical thinking skills allow you to engage in empathetic, factual conversations with patients and team members, which helps enhance patient care. Critical thinking will also help you recognize biases and question assumptions, promoting your ability to provide fair, competent, evidence-based care. Accomplishing this SMART goal will help you prioritize patient care and excel in your practice.

SMART GOAL #8: Master Medication Administration Techniques

Your preceptorship is an excellent opportunity to actively learn and participate in patient care. Because one of the most common tasks for nurses is to administer medications, mastering medication administration techniques is crucial. As a nursing instructor and as a clinical preceptor, I had students pull medications for patient delivery. I would observe their technique in drawing up medications, preparing intravenous solutions and medications, and helping them verify orders and calculations.

I encourage you to ask your preceptor to allow you to pull and prepare medications. Pay attention to details, and always double-check orders before administering any medications. If you have questions, ask your preceptor. Their role is to help you learn and master skills, but it takes you being open and willing to admit if you need help.

SMART GOAL #9: Learn Measures to Build Solid Nurse-Patient Relationships

One of the most important things you can do as a nurse is learn to build good relationships with your patients. Nurse-patient relationships begin from your first encounter with your patient, which is where mutual trust and a foundation for all future interactions are built.

When I teach students about nurse-patient relationships, I encourage them to consider what they would feel like if they or their loved ones were the patient. Imagine the kind of nurse you would want to care for you if you were the one in need. While there is a reasonable expectation that patients will actively participate in building the nurse-patient relationship, there may be times when most of the responsibility falls on you. Watch your preceptor, observing how they interact with patients and their loved ones. The more time you spend getting to know your patients, the easier it will become to build strong relationships.

SMART GOAL #10: Learn and Implement the Five Rights Delegation

As a registered nurse, you will be responsible for overseeing patient care, which often includes delegating tasks to other nurses and assistive personnel. A very important SMART goal to set and accomplish during your preceptorship is to learn about your role in delegating patient care. To accomplish this goal, observe how registered nurses delegate tasks to the nurses and nursing assistants on their teams.

I understand that thinking about delegating tasks to someone else is scary. It is a big responsibility, which is why it is important to begin learning about delegation while you’re in your preceptorship. Memorize and consider the five rights of delegation, which are the right task, the right circumstance, the right person, the right supervision, and the right communication. When you begin to feel a little anxious, keep in mind the reasons delegation is so important. Delegation helps ensure patient safety, decreases burnout, empowers employees, and improves job satisfaction!

My Final Thoughts

Succeeding in nursing school takes hard work and dedication. One of the most crucial parts of your nursing program is the preceptorship, and setting goals is a great way to help you stay on track and ensure your success. If you are in school and preparing for your preceptorship, you may wonder, “What are some SMART goals that nursing students can set for themselves during preceptorship?”

I understand the stress of being a nursing student, and I also know what it is like to precept students who are in training. The 10 best examples of SMART goals nursing students can set for themselves during preceptorship that I shared in this article can help you get focused and accomplish your goals with success!

List Of Sources Used For This Article

1. “15 Excellent SBAR Nursing Examples + How to Effectively Use SBAR in Nursing” (nursingprocess.org)
2. “The ABCs of Nursing Prioritization” (Marymount University)
3. “What Is a Nurse-Patient Relationship? (with Components, Phases, Importance, & How to Establish)” (nursingprocess.org)
4. “National Guidelines for Nursing Delegation” (American Nurses Association)