10 Best SMART Long-Term Nursing Career Goals Examples + Tips To Achieve Them
Written By:
Darby Faubion
Darby 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
Nurses of all education and experience levels know the importance of setting goals. From setting goals to improve patient care, contributing to our organizations or communities, and enhancing our personal and professional growth, there is always something to look forward to. As a new nurse graduate, you may think about your career in years to come and wonder what kind of goals are important. Perhaps you wonder, “What are the best SMART long-term goals that new grad nurses can set for themselves?”
I have been where you are and understand the seriousness of planning professional goals. In this article, I will share with you the 10 best examples of smart long-term nursing career goals that new grad nurses can set for themselves + tips to achieve them. While we each have our own interests and personal goals, the examples I share in this article will give you an idea of where to start. Remember, no goal is too silly or out of reach if it is something you truly desire!
What are the Best Smart Short-Term Goals That New Grad Nurses Can Set for Themselves?
(The following are the 10 best examples of smart long-term nursing career goals that new grad nurses can set for themselves + tips to achieve them.)
SMART GOAL #1: Enhance Connections with Patients, Families, and Peers
About the Goal:
Some of the most important relationships you will ever have are those you build between yourself, your patients, their loved ones, and your peers. As a nurse, a SMART long-term nursing career goal is to learn to implement measures that enhance your connections with others.
Tips to Achieve:
There are several things you can do to help you achieve the goal of stronger connections. First, take the time to listen to others. When you actively listen to others, show empathy, and validate others’ feelings, you create a safe space for them to be open with you, which is essential in nursing. Ask open-ended questions to promote more in-depth conversations, personalize communication and care, and be fully present.
SMART GOAL #2: Earn Specialty Certification(s)
About the Goal:
Specialty certifications allow you to demonstrate your commitment to professional growth and highlight your expertise in specific areas, such as cardiology, critical care, oncology, or wound care. Earning certifications is a SMART long-term nursing career goal because it is specific (focused on a particular specialty), measurable (certificates earned through examinations), attainable (with dedication to study), realistic (because you have the nursing experience), and timely (you can set a deadline).
Tips to Achieve:
Earning a specialty certification (or more than one) is a great way to enhance your career. There are some practical tips you can follow to help you achieve this SMART goal. First, determine which type of certification you wish to pursue and verify your eligibility to become certified. I strongly recommend attending in-person or online sessions to help reinforce your knowledge and help you prepare for the exam. Finally, spend enough time studying for the certification exam before scheduling the test.
SMART GOAL #3: Become a Nurse Mentor
About the Goal:
Becoming a nurse mentor is a great SMART goal which benefits you, those you mentor, your organization, and the patients you serve. Being a mentor provides a sense of professional fulfillment. It also helps you reinforce your own knowledge and skills, develop new skills, and broaden your professional network.
For me personally, being a mentor has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career. I have mentored nursing students and newly hired nurses, coached new nurse writers, and mentored new nursing school graduates preparing for licensure examination. There is something about mentoring and helping others achieve their goals that makes you feel accomplished and worthwhile.
Tips to Achieve:
To achieve the SMART goal of becoming a nurse mentor, you must first consider the specifics of the mentorship role you want to have. For example, do you want to mentor nursing students or new hires? What type of setting do you want to be a mentor in, and what impact do you hope to have on those you mentor? Decide how many people you want to mentor within a specific time frame and how much time you can devote to mentorship. Finally, talk to your director of nursing or nurse manager to find out if there are mentorship opportunities in your organization and what you must do to become a mentor.
SMART GOAL #4: Develop New Competencies
About the Goal:
Developing new competencies is an important goal for all nurses because it not only enhances professional growth but also helps positively impact patient care and outcomes. Developing new competencies fosters interprofessional collaboration where you can learn from colleagues and contribute to your work environment. A willingness to learn new competencies demonstrates your commitment to your role and can open doors for promotions and leadership positions.
Tips to Achieve:
There are several ways to develop new competencies in nursing. Attend workshops, in-services, or conferences to stay up to date on best practices. Also, join nursing organizations and support groups with nurses pursuing similar goals. These groups can provide encouragement and valuable insight into what is important in nursing. If you work in a large hospital or healthcare organization that has an education department, ask for opportunities to volunteer with the department.
SMART GOAL #5: Get Promoted to a Leadership Position
About the Goal:
I have always been a firm believer that all nurses can and should demonstrate leadership qualities. On a larger scale, though, another SMART long-term nursing career goal is to get promoted to an actual leadership role or position.
Tips to Achieve:
If becoming a nurse leader is important to you, it is important to connect with experienced leaders who can provide valuable insight and knowledge. Build relationships within your healthcare organization and community, collaborate with colleagues, and participate in community initiatives and committees. All of those activities show your interest and demonstrate commitment, which are vital qualities of nurse leaders. In time, you will develop your own
leadership style, which will help drive you further toward reaching your goals.
SMART GOAL #6: Become an Advocate for Other Nurses
About the Goal:
Advocating for patients is something nurses do daily. In addition to standing up for or representing the interests of patients, nurses also advocate for other nurses. Becoming a strong advocate for other nurses is an excellent SMART goal. Advocating for other nurses involves promoting their well-being and ensuring fair treatment. When you become a nurse advocate, you can foster effective interdisciplinary collaboration, contribute to a supportive work environment, and promote a positive work culture.
One of my closest friends is a nursing staff representative at a large hospital. The sole responsibility of her job is to identify the needs of staff nurses and advocate for them. Some days, she may represent nursing staff in administrative meetings by expressing the collective views of certain groups of nurses. Other days, she conducts workshops designed to promote growth and development for nursing staff. To hear her tell it, being an advocate for other nurses is one of the best jobs she’s ever had, and I can totally understand why!
Tips to Achieve:
You can advocate for nurses on many levels. Tips to achieve this goal include getting actively involved by networking with other nurses at conferences and conventions and joining nurse-led demonstrations to raise awareness about nursing issues. You can also become involved in legislative matters by attending legislative sessions and building relationships with policymakers.
SMART GOAL #7: Earn an Advanced Degree
About the Goal:
Another excellent SMART long-term nursing career goal is to earn an advanced degree. If you have an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing, a great goal could be to earn a Master's or Doctoral degree. Achieving an advanced degree can create awesome career opportunities and improve your income-earning potential.
Tips to Achieve:
The first step in achieving this goal is to decide which type of degree you want to pursue. After you decide whether you want to earn an
MSN or DNP nursing degree, you can research programs in your area or look for online programs that align with your professional goals.
I recommend getting a few years of work experience in the field that you plan to specialize in, as most schools require a minimum of two years of experience. Also, consider taking some online classes to get back into the habit of studying and to improve your cumulative grade point average, if needed.
SMART GOAL #8: Extend Your Professional Reach
About the Goal:
With all the many avenues for learning and professional growth, you can find endless opportunities to extend your professional reach beyond traditional bedside nursing. Whether you are interested in community health roles, nursing education, or nursing research, there are so many options!
I remember when I first wanted to look at options beyond bedside nursing. I wasn’t sure where I wanted to start and did not want to give up direct patient care entirely. At that point in my career, I turned to nursing education, which allowed me to teach future nurses while still interacting with and being responsible for patient care. Today, I am a full-time writer and use my knowledge and experience to educate other nurses and future nurses about education and career opportunities!
Tips to Achieve:
If you genuinely want to extend your professional reach, begin by building connections with other nurses, especially those who have similar goals and interests. Get involved with professional organizations and associations, seek and offer mentorship, and participate in shared governance within your healthcare organization. You can participate in decision-making by joining committees, advocating for positive changes within your organization, and contributing ideas to improve patient care quality.
SMART GOAL #9: Become an Expert Resource
About the Goal:
Of all the SMART long-term nursing career goals, I believe becoming an expert resource is at the top of my list! Being an expert resource means you are the go-to person for colleagues who need advice or help. If you choose to earn a specialty certification, you can become an expert in that field, focusing your work on a particular patient population or specific type of care.
Tips to Achieve:
You can become an expert resource by joining national and state nurses' associations, engaging in advocacy efforts, and serving on boards designed to shape nursing practice. Also, observe local, state, and federal legislative sessions to help you understand how policymaking helps influence nursing decisions and advocacy efforts. You can also accomplish this goal by investing in continuous learning by attending workshops, educational sessions, and webinars to help you stay abreast of current practices and trends in nursing.
SMART GOAL #10: Create a Healthy Balance Between Personal and Professional Life
About the Goal:
When you are in nursing school and just beginning your career in nursing, the thought of having a healthy balance between work and home may seem hard to reach, and that is understandable. At some point, though, everyone wants to find a place where their personal and professional lives can intersect at healthy boundaries. It may take some time to accomplish this, which is one reason creating a healthy balance is a smart long-term nursing career goal.
Tips to Achieve:
Creating a balance between your career and personal life takes effort, but it is possible and worth the work! The first step is to prioritize the things that are important to you. Think about your family, your friends, and your job. How much time do you want and need to devote to each? Find ways to effectively manage your time. Set clear boundaries when it comes to work, including knowing the hours you will work and avoiding work-related tasks and communication outside of those hours to ensure you protect personal time. Most importantly, prioritize your own well-being. From eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting plenty of rest to spending quality time with friends and loved ones, self-care is essential in creating a healthy balance between your personal and professional life.
My Final Thoughts
From the time you begin nursing school, if not before, you learn about the importance of goals. We set goals and expected outcomes for patients and develop plans to help them achieve those goals. It is just as important for nurses to have goals as well. As a new nurse, it is natural to wonder, “What are the best SMART long-term goals that new grad nurses can set for themselves?”
In this article, you found the 10 best examples of smart long-term nursing career goals that new grad nurses can set for themselves + tips to achieve them. We all have goals and dreams. The most important thing in setting goals is to determine what matters most to you. Also, remember, just like nursing is an ever-growing and evolving field, your goals and dreams will change as time goes on. While it is important to set goals and timelines for achieving them, it is equally as important to be kind to yourself and acknowledge when you want or need to set new goals.
List Of Sources Used For This Article
1.
American Nurses Credentialing Center
2.
“8 Types of Leadership Styles in Nursing- Which One Is Right for You?” (
nursingprocess.org)
3.
“MSN vs. DNP – Which Degree Is Better?” (
nursingprocess.org)
4.
“The Art of Juggling: How Nurses Can Achieve Work-Life Balance” (
Antigua College International)
Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.