critical thinking nursing smart goal

SMART Goals for Nursing With Clear Examples

Goals provide a keen sense of motivation, direction, clarity, and a clear focus on every aspect of your career or (nurse) life .

You are letting yourself have a specific aim or target by setting clear goals for yourself.

There is a method called the SMART goal that is used by a lot of people to guide them in setting their goals. In this article, you are going to learn how to set up SMART goals for nursing with plenty of examples of SMART goals for nursing .

But first, let me tell you what the SMART goal is generally speaking.

The acronym SMART stands for the terms Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

All these five elements are the main parts of the SMART goal. This simple yet powerful method brings structure and ensures that your goals are within reason and are attainable.

The SMART goal helps you in defining what the “future state” of your goal would look like, and how it is to be measured.

SMART goals are:

Specific – clear, unambiguous, and well defined
Measurable – has a criterion that helps you measure your progress
Att ainable – beyond reach and not impossible to achieve
Relevant – realistic and has relevance to your life or career
Time-Bound – well defined time, has a starting date and an ending date

Often, people or businesses set unrealistic goals for themselves that only lead to failure.

For instance, you may be a nurse practitioner and you set goals such as “I will be the best at _____.” This specific type of goal is vague and has no sense of direction in it.

Here is a thorough video from DecisionSkills that I encourage you to watch before continuing reading.

After the video, you’ll have a much better understanding of setting SMART goals for nursing.

Now it’s time to give you a couple of examples of SMART goals for nursing.

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Table of Contents

Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing

In this fast-paced and busy day-to-day life, the job of a nurse can get stressful and overwhelming–with all the workloads and patients emerging from left to right.

SMART goals are especially helpful in nursing as it helps in defining a developmental framework and helps you see your progress towards your goal.

Patient Care
Professional Development

Next, a more specific answer to each category.

Today, I will construct a checklist for an updated patient and staff safety and hazard. I will use our ward policy guidelines in constructing this checklist.

I will let every staff nurse check this list based on a once-a-month rotation. I shall complete the checklist by the end of September and have it measured monthly.

#2 Patient Care

I shall hand over the assessment notes, care instructions, and patient details to the next shift nurse as I complete my shift.

I have to finish this before the break time so that the details of the patients would be noted and important instructions would be followed.

#3 Efficiency

I will document the additional tasks following the timetabling meeting weekly so that I can efficiently balance my time and be able to manage all my duties.

This will benefit me as it improves my overall time management .

#4 Accuracy

I will record all my notes about the patient as soon as I leave his or her room, while the information is still fresh and complete in my mind.

This will help in ensuring the accuracy of the information before I proceed to my next endeavor.

#5 Professional Development

By the end of this year, I shall attend two workshops that will help me with my specialty or another field that will help me for the betterment of my profession as a nurse .

Next, I’m going to give you examples of SMART goals for nursing students.

Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing Students

Scenario: You’re a 1st-year college student who’s taking up nursing.

Your professor in one of your major subjects has announced that you’ll be having your final examination at the end of the month.

You know that this subject is critical, and you want to pass this subject no matter what.

SIMPLE GOAL

I want to pass our final examination.

I will finish reading three chapters of our book within this day. I’ll write down every important terminology and its definition in my notebook.

I will also take a 15-minute break in every hour of studying.

For tomorrow, I will make flashcards that will help me easily retain this information and terminologies better.

On the day before our examination, I will make sure to have sufficient rest and enough amount of sleep.

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Let’s move on to examples of SMART goals for nurse practitioners.

Examples of SMART Goals for Nurse Practitioners

Scenario: You’re a nurse practitioner, but your monthly salary is not enough since you’ll be having to pay for your loans and other payable.

So, your perceived solution to this problem is to strive and get promoted in the acute care facility which gives a higher pay than your current position.

I want to be promoted to a higher position and make more money.

I will work harder so that my chances of getting promoted in the acute care facility would be higher.

This new job pays me an amount of $30 per hour, including a night differential.

I will aspire to be a better nurse practitioner day by day, so that by August 30th, my manager would see my potential, and get me promoted.

Examples of SMART Goals for Nurse Practitioner Students

Scenario: You’re a nurse practitioner student who’s failing in his/her exams and got the lowest grade in your class.

You know to yourself that something is wrong with your study methods because even if you study hard, you don’t see the fruit of your labor.

I want to learn the other nurse practitioner students’ study methods.

I will improve my study methods by asking my fellow nurse practitioner students how they prepare for tasks and exams.

Today, I will talk to one of my fellow nurse practitioner students, and ask them if we could have a group study together as we prepare for the upcoming examination.

Examples of SMART Goals for Nurse Managers

Scenario: You’re the department manager and you’re assigned to handle the nurses in the hospital.

You notice that the work environment is getting unhealthy, and the nurses in your department are uncomfortable with each other and with you.

I want to improve my relationship with the nurses that I handle.

I will make sure to promote a healthy working environment by having a meeting once or twice a month to discuss prevailing and relevant issues in our department and hear some constructive feedback from the nurses that I handle.

I will make sure to treat them all equally and with the utmost respect regardless of their age or gender.

But I will also set professional boundaries among the nurses that I handle, and I will make sure that I lay these limits very clearly so that no one will violate them.

Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing Care Plans

Scenario: You’ve learned from a workshop that by showing compassion and empathy to your patient, they will adhere better to the medications which would lead to quicker recovery.

More Tips for Creating SMART Goals

Pursuing an “I will” statement is more effective than an “I want” statement .

As you create your own SMART goals, remember to ask yourself the following questions:

How is my goal specific? Where is the focus?
How is my goal measurable? How will I be able to track my progress?
How is my goal achievable? Are my resources enough to achieve this goal?
How is my goal relevant? How will this help in my career as a nurse?
Is my goal time-bound? Is my goal set in a realistic time frame?

Aside from the five elements comprising SMART goals, it is important to have a model and visualization of your goals as if you have already achieved your goal.

Not only will this motivate you, but this will also give you the feeling of success that comes from achieving that specific goal of yours.

Release any doubts that you have. Those doubts whispering that you’re not enough, or those negative thoughts that kept you awake all night.

Let those negative self-talk go.

The more you say something to yourself, the more likely these things will happen in reality. So, it is always best to talk nicely to yourself.

While releasing your doubts and visualization of your goals are both effective, all these things will only matter once you take consistent action towards your desired goal to progress each day.

Things may get overwhelming and you may not know where to start, so it is advisable to do one task at a time.

It may seem hard at first, that’s just how things are.

But as you keep going, you will get closer and closer to your goal.

The Art of Setting SMART Goals

If these tips were not enough for you, I highly recommend you to check out more about SMART nursing goals from No products found. book.

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Conclusion: SMART Goals for Nursing

By setting SMART goals for nursing students, nurse practitioners, nurse practitioner students, nurse managers, and nursing care plans, you are setting a clear focus for your ideas and efforts that will allow you to reach your goals in a much shorter period.

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But you should also take note of the possible drawbacks to SMART goals that may hinder you from achieving your goals.

At this point, you should have a clear understanding of how to set SMART goals for nursing.

If you would like to learn some more check out these articles of ours:

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17 Awesome Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing Students

In a career like nursing, you will be faced with many different obstacles and challenges that you must work to overcome. Because being a nurse is not easy and requires a lot of focus and dedication, you must have a good set of smart goals to manage your time effectively. This post will find some examples of SMART goals for nursing students that you can use for inspiration when creating your own personal plan-setting strategy.

But before we dive into examples, let’s explore smart goals and their benefits so you can understand their importance.

What are smart nursing goals.

The nursing goal is similar to the more common goals that you might find elsewhere, but there are some key differences. SMART is an acronym that stands for five critical characteristics of practical goals:

Your goal should include all of the essential details about what your goal is, and what needs to be done to complete it. For example, instead of simply writing down “I am going to get better grades”, you would write down something like “I will study every day after school with my study guide until I get 100% on our midterm exam.” This could also include relevant dates of when the work must be finished by.

Your goals need to have some metrics associated with them so you can keep track of your progress. For example, if you write down “I am going to get better grades”, there is no way of knowing exactly how well you are doing compared to before. Making your goal measurable can help avoid this.

If you were to instead write down: “I will study every day after school with my study guide until I get 100% on our midterm exam”, then it would be possible for you to know how well you are doing because you could record the date when you completed the exam and markdown your grade when you receive it.

Your goals need to resonate with your current academic and future nursing endeavors. If your academic standing is precarious (e.g., if your grades are not meeting the required standards), your goals should be pertinent and strategically designed to turn around your academic trajectory. Setting goals that directly relate to and support your progress in your nursing program will ensure that your efforts are concentrated and meaningful.

This means that your goals should be something that you can actually achieve, given all of the resources and support available to you. For example, if there is no way for you to get into a nursing program right now because it requires an advanced degree, then working towards becoming a nurse right now would not be very realistic. You don’t want to set yourself up for failure by picking a goal you can’t hope to accomplish because of something out of your control.

This just means that your goal has some definitive deadline by which it must be completed. Otherwise, when will the plan be attained? A good example would be “I will study every day after school with my study guide until I get 100% on our midterm exam .”

Getting into the habit of making things time-bound is also a good idea in general, since time management skills are going to be very important if you want to become a medical professional.

Bringing It All Together

When you have brilliant and short-term goals in mind, it will be much easier for you to plan out the steps you need to take to achieve your ultimate objective. It’s all about being well-informed and making the most out of your time.

Small goals might have a time frame of a month. Larger ones might extend that time frame to a year. Again, choose something that is attainable but still a challenge. Often, people or businesses set unrealistic goals for themselves that only lead to failure.

That’s why you need to follow the framework of the 5 steps above to help you create a plan that you’ll have a better chance of achieving. With that being said, let’s go into some sample goals that are practical for nursing students everywhere.

17 Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing Students

SMART goals examples are an excellent tool for both nursing students and nursing assistants. They can be used for a variety of purposes. It is not just a goal-setting system used by nurses. You can start by choosing one of these goals and making it more specific to you, or let these serve as inspiration and create your own! Check out these 17+ examples of SMART goals for nurses to get your creativity flowing.

Patient Care

The first category is excellent patient care. These are goals that have to do with caring for patients in the hospital or at home. They include goals for nursing evaluations . You can create a treatment plan or do something different like:

I will provide excellent, compassionate care to my clients by making them feel safe and comfortable at all times throughout their stay.
I will develop a care plan for each patient that I see in my practice today. Each project will include specific nursing diagnoses, prioritized outcomes, possible interventions, and rationales for each intervention, including expected results.

Community Outreach/Education

These types of goals pertain to outreach and education about health topics related to nursing or the health conditions of patients you may encounter.

I will educate ten community members on the importance of flu vaccinations today by providing flyers from the CDC during flu season.
I will speak with two patients today about stress management to help them deal with anxiety, mental health issues, and depression.

Leadership/Management

These goals are typically appropriate for nurses who are in charge nurse, nurse manager, or other leadership roles within a workplace setting.

I will complete my first competency as a charge nurse by leading three medications today according to our hospital’s policy and procedure manual using proper labeling methods.
I will work alongside my team member who is struggling to take 30-minute lunch breaks each day to develop a plan to help him accomplish this task. Next week, I will also follow up on this plan to make sure he has been successful.

Professional Development/Knowledge

These professional goals may be used for nurses who are seeking to develop more knowledge about their profession or read about new information so they can stay abreast of what is required in their jobs.

This month, I will set aside time to learn about the latest evidence-based practices that have proven successful for wound care interventions.
I will read nursing journals to improve my nursing skills and implications on the nursing profession.
I will initiate at least 2 casual and short conversations with my coworkers or patients to practice my interpersonal skills.

Nursing Career Related

These types of goals are helpful if you are trying to plan your career path as a nurse. You may also want to make these types of goals if you’re going to become an influential figure in some aspect of healthcare (i.e. nursing leadership, public health, education).

I will take the ASN exam by January 1st. I will review my experience with the Praxis exam and what I learned to help me in this process along the way.
I want to become an influential figure in healthcare, so I will read two articles about people who have made significant contributions in their fields each week.
At the end of the year, I will review each article’s points that relate to influence and record how these apply to my career goals moving forward.
I will research 1 RN program every weekday after dinner, so I can begin working towards becoming a registered nurse.

These are goals that don’t necessarily pertain to your career as a nurse but are geared towards becoming more knowledgeable about things or people surrounding the nursing profession like patient care , managing money, etc.

This year, I will attend four movies with my friends where nursing is an integral part of the storyline.
I will review all of my bills by January 1st and set up automatic monthly payments for all of them, so I never have to worry about late fees again.
I will delete my Facebook account without changing any security settings so outside influences cannot impact how I spend time online anymore.

Workplace Efficiency

When it comes to the workplace, efficiency goals are essential to consider if you are trying to become more efficient at your job. Due to the Affordable Care Act, many hospitals have made some changes, including shorter patient stays, minor nurse-to-patient ratio requirements, etc.

I will read about these changes on Friday night of this week, and prepare myself for all of the new processes that come with them to be an effective employee.
I will schedule all non-emergency meetings early in the morning so they do not interfere with my ability to complete all patient care activities throughout the day.
After five years of employment at this hospital, I will start a master’s degree program that CCNE accredits because I would like to learn more about critical care nursing.

Nursing students face a lot of challenges to accomplish their goals because they do not have a lot of control over many aspects of their learning experience. For that reason, it is even more critical for students to set SMART goals because these can help them focus on what is most relevant and meaningful when trying to achieve success in school.

One thing to remember is always to create short-term nursing goals, first achieve them, and then move to the next. You have to move step by step.

Write Your SMART Goals Down!

The best way to make sure your goals are smart is to write them down so you can review them often. When writing down your goals, be as specific as possible about what you want to accomplish and how you will go about doing so. Be detailed in your plans of action and consider the steps it will take for you to achieve each goal. Also, try to keep them concise by removing unnecessary words or phrases.

10 Bonus Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing Students

Clinical Skills Enhancement : Improve intravenous (IV) insertion skills by practicing on simulation arms and successfully performing 5 error-free insertions on patients under supervision by the end of the clinical rotation.
Academic Excellence : Achieve a grade of 90% or higher on all pharmacology exams this semester by dedicating 3 hours per week to study, including group study sessions and utilizing online resources for quiz practice.
Professional Development : Attend at least two professional nursing seminars or workshops on pediatric care within the next 6 months to enhance my understanding of current practices, and to network with experienced professionals.
Patient Communication : Develop effective patient communication skills by conducting patient interviews under supervision, and receiving instructor feedback on at least 10 different occasions before the end of the term.
Time Management : Master time management by prioritizing tasks and utilizing a digital planner, aiming to complete all assignments at least two days before the deadline for the upcoming semester.
Research Competency : Contribute to nursing research by assisting in the data collection for a faculty-led study and completing a 20-page literature review on the chosen topic within the next 4 months.
Health Assessment Proficiency : Conduct 30 comprehensive patient health assessments in a clinical setting with 100% accuracy on documentation, to be achieved within the next 8 weeks.
Professional Certifications : Obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications by enrolling in the courses now and completing them within the next 3 months.
Community Service : Participate in community health outreach programs for at least 20 hours over the next semester to better understand public health issues and practice health education.
Leadership Skills : Take on a leadership role in a student nursing organization, aiming to lead a team in organizing at least one educational event or initiative by the end of the academic year.

Each goal is designed to be attainable within a set time frame and can help you, as a nursing student, with your nursing education and future career, while providing you with a clear measure of success. By focusing on these areas, you can aim for a well-rounded skill set that prepares you for both the demands of your studies and the challenges of clinical practice.

Final Thoughts on SMART Goals for Nursing Students:

Now that you have SMART nursing goals examples, hopefully, you will use these to help set your personal goals for this new year. Following the guidance in this blog post will ensure that your goals provide value and consistency in all aspects of your life, both during and after school. With that, don’t forget to share this with your fellow nursing school study group!

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November 29, 2023

How to Set SMART Goals in Nursing + Examples

Why are we still talking about SMART goals in 2024? Well, to put it simply – because they work! Setting SMART goals can help you to define a goal that is possible within a given time frame because you have set out a plan to reach milestones within a timeline that is realistic and attainable .

What are smart goals.

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound . SMART goals can be used for both professional as well as personal goals, as the clear objectives and milestones help to eliminate the chance of falling off track.

Setting SMART goals are also an integral part of the care planning process necessary for meeting clinical requirements while in nursing school and for professional nurses in the care of patients.

It’s no surprise that setting SMART goals is an extremely important skill for nurses and nursing students – so we put together more details on how to set SMART goals as well as provide detailed examples that can help you in the nursing field.

How to Set SMART Goals

We’re going to learn how to set SMART goals in nursing that will actually help you achieve success in the field. Using the SMART method, we’ll work through real-life examples that can be applied in nursing school, passing the NCLEX, providing professional patient care, and more!

1. Specific

Many people find their goals difficult to achieve because they’re too vague. You should make your goal as narrow as possible.

Answer these questions:

What do you want to achieve? When do you want to achieve it? Why do you want to achieve this? What are the steps to achieve this goal?

Being specific can also help the nursing student set specific goals for the patient. This can be accomplished by setting specific criteria for the patient to meet based on a nursing diagnosis.

2. Measurable

A goal needs to be measurable if you want to track your progress. You might say, “I want to be kinder to patients,” but how do you measure that? What evidence will you have for how well you’re doing?

If you’re a nursing student, you can easily track your progress by looking at your grades, your projects, and the number of assignments you’ve completed. If you’re trying to budget, you could look at how well you’re able to fall under your budget for the month. Learn how to make more money with these 17 best jobs for nursing students .

If you are developing a plan of care for a patient, you will need to have measurable criteria to track the patient’s goal progress.

3. Attainable

SMART goals in nursing should be attainable – if you don’t feel like you can achieve your goal, you’ll become discouraged.

When caring for patients, you will want to have long term and short term goals. An unattainable short term goal for a patient may be for them to be infection free within 2 hours if they just began their day 1 of 10 antibiotics. On the contrary, an attainable long term goal for that same patient may be to have the patient infection free after the 10-day course of antibiotic therapy.

4. Realistic

Your SMART goals should be realistic, and they should relate to your environment.

In a patient care setting, the goal must be realistic to what the patient can achieve. A patient who has had a limb amputation will not be able to walk without a prosthetic device. A goal related to the patient safely ambulating out of bed will not be realistic in this scenario.

5. Time-Bound

The most measurable SMART nursing goals examples are time-bound. Rather than being open-ended, they have a concrete finish line.

Short-term goals may be achieved by the end of the month. Long-term goals might have a time frame of up to a year.

Short-term goal: by the end of the month Long-term goal: by March of next year

Related: A Guide to Subjective vs Objective Data in Nursing

15 Smart Goals Examples for Nurses & Nursing Students

Let’s take a look at some simple goals, along with better examples of SMART goals in nursing professionals as well as for nursing students.

Patient Care SMART Goals

1. Short term goal: Patient will breath better

Smart goal: The patient will increase the oxygenation saturation from 85% to 95% by using effective breathing techniques within the next 8 hours.

2. Long term goal: Patient will have improved skin.

Smart goal: The patient’s pressure ulcer will decrease from a stage 3 to a stage 1 by increasing diet in protein and by adhering to a strict turning schedule over the next 2 months.

3. Short term goal: Patient will have less pain.

Smart goal: The patient’s pain level will decrease from a level 10 to a level 3 by the next shift through the adherence of a strict medication schedule.

4. Long term goal: Patient will be compliant with hypertensive medications.

Smart goal: The patient will demonstrate compliance with hypertensive medication by using a medication organizer and verbalizing the consumption of daily medications.

5. Simple goal: I want to get better at listening.

Smart goal: I will pay close attention to what my patients and coworkers tell me. If I do not understand, I will ask them to clarify. I will focus on them instead of thinking about what I want to say next.

6. Simple goal: I want to get better at explaining things to patients.

Smart goal: I will learn the layman’s terms for complicated medical jargon so that I can communicate more easily with patients. Instead of using technical language, I will explain things in terms people can understand.

7. Simple goal: I want to be more culturally sensitive.

Smart goal: I will ask each patient whether I need to be aware of any cultural beliefs or norms while in charge of their care. I will also seek feedback from coworkers regarding cultural sensitivity.

8. Simple goal: I want to make my patients happy.

Smart goal: I will work to put my patients at ease by finding out what helps them to relax. I will make sure that I meet certain parameters in offering them care each time I speak with them.

Professional Development SMART Goals

Examples of SMART goals in healthcare can also be utilized to help you develop as a medical professional. Below are a few examples of what we’d call a “simple goal” as well as examples of how to make this into a SMART nursing goal.

9. Simple goal: I want to get promoted.

Smart goal: I will go above and beyond in my job duties. If a better position opens up, I will apply for it. I will make my interest in further responsibilities known to my supervisors.

10. Simple goal: I want a raise.

Smart goal: I will perform my tasks to the best of my abilities. I will make my workplace more efficient and increase the quality of patient care. If I have not been considered for a raise after six months, I will put together a case and present it to my supervisor.

11. Simple goal: I want to be better at my job.

Smart goal: I will keep checklists to make sure I do my duties during every shift. I will check in with coworkers and ask for feedback when needed.

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12. Simple goal: I want to learn from my coworkers at my new job.

Smart goal: I will ask a more experienced coworker if they would be willing to mentor me. I will ask about what I should know while working here. I will talk to my supervisor about how I can observe more closely.

Related: 20 Positive Nurse Affirmations for a Growth Mindset

Nursing School SMART Goals

Utilizing proper SMART goals in nursing school can really elevate your academic success by making your goals actionable. These types of SMART goals examples can work in nursing school or any other academic area you may be focusing on.

13. Simple goal: I want to finish my assignments on time.

Smart goal: I will do my assignments when they’re first given. For long-term projects, I will create a timeline and work steadily on them until they are complete. I will keep track of my assignments using to-do lists and schedules.

Keep track more easily with our favorite planners for nurses .

14. Simple goal: I want to pass all my exams.

Smart goal: I will create a study schedule to review all the relevant material prior to my exams. I will create study materials. I will reread my assignments and make use of faculty office hours if needed.

Speaking of exams, pass the NCLEX the first time with this 5-week NCLEX Study Schedule

15. Simple goal: I want to remember important information without wasting time.

Smart goal: I will create flashcards that have key terms and concepts from the reading. I will frequently use these to quiz myself so that I know I remember the most important points.

16. Simple goal: I want to be more social.

Smart goal: I will look up campus events, join a study group, and make an effort to interact with more people. I will answer questions in class and participate in discussions with my classmates.

Related: What’s a Passing NCLEX Score?

Workplace Efficiency SMART Goals

Nursing performance goals could be set using the SMART goal method – have a look at a few examples of SMART nursing goals that involve being more efficient, and, therefore, more effective, at your job:

17. Simple goal: I want to decrease patient wait time.

Smart goal: I will complete patient intake procedures in a timely manner. I will be efficient when weighing patients and asking them preliminary questions. I will try to see them quickly without making them feel rushed.

18. Simple goal: I want to do more hands-on procedures.

Smart goal: I will complete a certain number of specific procedures in the next two months. I will volunteer to do these procedures whenever possible, and I will ask my coworkers to help me get more experience.

19. Simple goal: I want to get more done during a shift.

Smart goal: I will put my down time to better use by sorting patient files. I will make lists of tasks to complete and work on them when I’m not seeing patients. I will create a system to streamline the intake and recording process for patients.

Related: How-To Guide for Why I Want to Be a Nurse Essay

Other SMART Goal Tips

1. write them down..

Whether you write them in a journal or an online document, writing your SMART nursing goals out makes it easier to track them. We’ve put together a list of the best nursing school planners that help you to keep track of personal and professional goals, academic deadlines, as well as other calendar events.

If you’re already out of nursing school, then you can check out our 6 picks for nurse planners .

2. Keep track.

Get in the habit of updating your progress. You can even use tracking apps to make sure you’re on schedule. Here are some apps to help you do that.

3. Celebrate micro-wins.

Even small amounts of progress are progress! Let yourself celebrate each new step, even if it’s just a single procedure or patient. Read more on how to create micro wins in your life here .

4. Focus on your own goals, not other people’s.

You’re not competing with other people. You’re competing with yourself. Keep the focus on you and don’t get distracted by those surrounding you.

A big component of clinical requirements while in nursing school, is to develop careplans for patients. In this instance, the student is focusing on the goal of the patient, not theirs.

The same goes for the nurse when care planning for the patient. The are focusing on the goals of the patient, not theirs.

5. Remember what motivates you.

Why did you set these goals in the first place? Because you want to become a better practitioner, right? Keep that in mind as you work to stay motivated. Remember to celebrate success and achievement, as you don’t want to burnout with constant ambition.

Related: 7 Examples of Nursing Strengths and Weaknesses for Interviews

The best way to create SMART goals in nursing is to ask yourself what you want to accomplish. Then you’ll look for attainable ways to do that. It’s important that the goal be measurable, and that it’s not so difficult you get frustrated.

You’ll notice that in the SMART nursing goals examples, the biggest drawback is vagueness. The more specific you are, the easier it will be to measure your progress!

Do you have a better idea now of your future goals? What are your plans? Let us know in the comments below!

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How Nurses Can Set SMART Goals

SMART is an acronym that stands for goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and happen within a specified time frame.
SMART goals create a structure that increases your potential to achieve your goal.
Nurses might consider writing professional SMART goals influenced by the market events of 2022 or the expected trends in 2023, such as an increased number of NP-led practices.

Did you know that 91% of people who make New Year’s resolutions don’t achieve their goals ? Research shows most people throw in the towel by January 19. But the 9% who are successful pursue their goal with relentless passion. In other words, they want it badly.

The people who achieve their goals have another secret — they know what goals to set and how to structure them to increase the chances they succeed. They develop SMART goals.

Find out why setting SMART goals for nurses can be an important strategy to lay the groundwork for professional development and tracking your progress.

What Are SMART Goals?

According to 1994-2015 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , roughly 20% of small businesses fail in the first year, and 65% fail by year 10. Your nursing career is a little like a small business. To advance your career, you must be intentional in managing your career.

Creating SMART goals is a foundational strategy that can support goal achievement. Before writing your SMART goals, let’s review what they are.

SMART is an acronym to help you remember each part of writing structured goals.

1 It’s easier to track goals when they include specific objectives. For example, instead of a goal to become a nurse practitioner (NP), you might set a goal to submit your application to an NP program within six months.
2 When goals are specific, they are also measurable — meaning you’ll know whether you’ve achieved it. For example, a goal to lose weight isn’t measurable. But, you can measure your goal if it is to lose five pounds in two months.
3 Going back to the NP example, you would only expect to become an NP in six months if you were four months from graduation. Only write goals you can reasonably expect to achieve, or you may become so discouraged that you stop working toward your goals.
4 Your goals should be meaningful and stretch you out of your comfort zone. They should also be achievable by improving your current habits. Setbacks can bring about action, but if your goals aren’t realistic, it won’t be easy to get and stay on track.
5 To measure your goals, you must have a time limit to achieve them. Your time frame should be clear and give you enough time to accomplish your goal.

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SMART Goals for Nurses: Where to Start

You should also evaluate your progress during the time frame you set. Is the goal still achievable and realistic? Is the time frame too short or too long? This allows you to reset and start again without completely throwing in the towel.

SMART goals for nurses may be personal or professional. In 2022, several events changed nursing and have impacted the profession. This may also impact your professional goals.

For example, the nursing shortage contributed significantly to several events in 2022. These included the Minnesota nursing strike, care of COVID-19 patients, and the guilty verdict for Christiann Gainy that was blamed on short staffing.

Consider including a goal to work with your local American Nurses Association chapter to advocate for wage increases, expand nursing education, and support nursing faculty. These actions can help increase the number of nurses entering the profession.

The projected nursing trends for 2023 may also impact the professional goals you set. Addressing the nursing shortage will be a top priority in 2023, as well as the mental health needs of patients and nurses.

Experts also estimate there will be a rising number of NP-led practices . These trends may contribute to your desire to improve your knowledge and work toward becoming an NP. It may also lead you to practice strategies to protect your mental health.

Your personal experiences and desires often inform the personal and professional goals you set for your future. Your professional goals may include improving your clinical skills. For example, you might write a SMART goal addressing your assessment, time management, or leadership skills.

Examples of SMART Goals for Nurses

The best way to start setting professional goals is to analyze where you want your career to be in five years. Outline the steps to achieve that goal, and then write SMART goals to reach each one-year goal. It isn’t necessary to stick with the time frames when you’re developing the goals. This is the first step as you’re identifying your long-term objective.

As you revisit your long-term goal regularly, you may discover it needs adjustment. If your initial long-term goal is to become a family nurse practitioner (FNP), you may discover that you prefer working with children and switch to becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Using the long-term goal example of becoming an FNP, you might write two short-term SMART goals in January 2023.

By June 1, 2023, I will have researched online NP programs and submitted applications to four online nurse practitioner programs that offer FNP specialization.

1 Submitting four applications to online NP programs with FNP specialization
2 Submitting four online NP applications
3 Writing four applications in five months
4 Gathering the required documentation in five months
5 Completing by June 1, 2023

By July 1, 2023, I will have researched available public and private financial aid options for online NP programs and submitted at least six applications to help pay for the online FNP program.

1 Researching financial aid programs; submitting at least six applications
2 Submitting six applications
3 Locating and applying to six financial aid options in six months
4 Researching and applying to six financial aid options in six months
5 Completing by July 1, 2023

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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.

When pursuing a nursing career, your physical and mental health are put at risk. So it’s 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.

Table of Contents

What Are SMART Goals?

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.

Have a look at these two statements:

I want to pass my exam.
To pass my exam, I will study for at least 20 minutes every day and reread the chapters as I complete them.

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 SMART goal also includes instructions on how to achieve it. This is the only way an action plan can work.

“SMART” stands for “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.”

Here’s what each segment means in practice.

S: Specific

Being specific is crucial for achieving both short- and long-term goals. The questions your goal should answer are “What?” “Who?” “When?” “Where?” “Which?” and “Why?” Then, once you reach a specific milestone or the final deadline, you’ll be sure you achieved the goal.

M: Measurable

Measurable goals have a precise time, amount, or another unit of measurement built into them. It’s 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’s easy to measure how much of the activity you actually did.

A: Attainable

Goals that aren’t attainable often lead to frustration. When creating a goal, examine your current life situation and aim for objectives that aren’t beyond your reach. Otherwise, failure can be discouraging.

Imagine setting a goal to get a nursing job in the most elite private hospital right after graduation. Although not impossible, it’s doubtful that a person can master everything it takes to become a highly skilled nurse practitioner so early in their career.

R: Relevant

Relevant goals are about what you really need and want. Your goals should align with what you hold dear and value in life.

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.

T: Time-Bound

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.

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’t, it’s only a matter of time before your motivation dies. This is why it’s best to shift your attention from outcome to process goals. You can learn more about the difference in this blog post .

To learn more about SMART goals, check out this post .

Why SMART Goals Are Important for Nurses

According to the American Association of Colleges and Nursing (AACN) , over 250,000 students are enrolled in a program preparing new registered nurses at the baccalaureate level. There was a surprising 5.6% increase in 2020.

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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.

8 SMART Goal Examples for Nurses

1. improve communication skills.

To improve my communication skills, I will listen closely to what others say. If I can’t keep up, I will ask them to clarify. Finally, I will ask people whether they understood me after I’ve spoken. I should become a better communicator by the end of the year.

S: This goal explains precisely how to improve your communication skills. M: By asking for clarity anytime you don’t understand something, you can measure your progress based on how often you have to ask in a given day or month. A: This is a reasonable, attainable goal you can start doing anytime, anywhere. R: The goal is relevant to becoming a better nurse since communication is vital in this field. T: At the end of the year, you can compare your communication skills before starting this process-oriented goal.

2. Improve Time Management

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.

S: This goal explains precisely what you can do to improve your time management as a nurse. M: You can measure the number of tasks you documented and how much more efficient you’ve become by the extra time you have for other jobs. A: This goal is attainable and straightforward. R: Having strong time management skills is crucial when you’re a nurse. This goal is relevant to your nursing career. T: 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.

3. Be More Accurate

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.

S: Compared to “I want to be more accurate,” this is a rather specific goal describing how you can achieve it. M: You can measure this goal by how many notes you got down. It’s not good to skip a bunch of notes – the point is to get ALL of them down right away. A: You can squeeze in a minute after leaving a patient room to take notes, so this goal is highly attainable. R: This goal is relevant to your desire to become more accurate at nursing. T: The sense of urgency is created by “the moment I leave the room,” so you know you should act fast to complete your goal. In a week, you can see this strategy's difference in accuracy.

4. Develop Professionally

I will attend two nursing workshops or webinars annually to help my professional development.

S: Instead of saying, “I want to develop my career,” you state the exact activity that will help you do so. M: The goal is to attend two events yearly, so it’s easy to measure your progress. A: Given that you may have to work more than usual this year, anything more than two webinars per year might be hard to achieve. R: The goal is directly relevant to you advancing your nursing career. T: The goal resets at the end of the year, so you want to plan your time wisely.

5. Explain Things to Patients

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’ll find a simpler way to explain it.

S: This specific goal is changing how you explain things to your patients.

M: The goal progress can be measured by the number of new medical and layman’s terms you learned.

A: This goal is attainable, and it’s a win-win for you as a nurse and your patients.

R: This is a highly relevant goal in anyone’s nursing career.

T: After three months, you’ll see a difference in how you communicate with your patients.

6. Stress Less

To combat stress at work, I will practice stress management. I will exercise, meditate, listen to music, or take one hour of time off for myself every day. I’ll also get more sleep and talk to friends and family about what’s troubling me. Then, after two weeks, I’ll re-assess.

S: Instead of saying, “I want to stress less,” you can give specific details about how you can achieve that.

M: You can measure your progress by how many hours you spend on self-care . Also, you can measure how these activities impact your response to stressful situations at work compared to before.

A: You may feel pushed for time, but an hour per day for yourself is not that much. If you can’t make it an hour straight, you can split the activities into thirty-minute sessions.

R: Doing what you love releases tension and stress you may feel at work, so it’s like performing a small reset after a tiresome workday. You’ll start fresh tomorrow, which is relevant to managing stress at work.

T: After two weeks, you can decide if your quality of life has improved.

7. Stay Healthy

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.

S: This goal describes what you can do to stay healthy.

M: You can measure the goal by how many workouts you got in or how many healthy meals you prepared over the week.

A: 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’t be too time-consuming.

R: Being a nurse in these hectic times is challenging. To keep your immune system up, you must take extra care of your health.

T: Working out every other day means you need to find time off and squeeze in a workout long before it’s time for bed. Also, you can assess how you feel at the end of the month.

8. Be More Compassionate

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.

S: Instead of saying, “Be more compassionate,” you specify how exactly you can achieve that.

M: If you have never discussed your patients’ interests before, doing so for two to five minutes is a way to measure your progress.

A: This goal takes just minutes to complete, and you can do so whenever you find it convenient.

R: This goal is relevant to you becoming a more compassionate nurse practitioner.

T: In just one week, you can decide if this strategy helped you achieve your goal.

9. Avoid Burnout

To help avoid burnout, I will use my PTO to take time off for a mini vacation at least twice a year. I’ll practice stress reduction techniques, like meditation and yoga, at least three times a week. I’ll try to get enough sleep on my days off. I’ll practice deep breathing if I feel stressed during my shift. I’ll also practice a self-care activity, like getting a pedicure or massage, at least once every two weeks. After three months, I’ll reflect on what helped me feel less stressed and assess whether I have early signs of burnout.

S: This goal is specific because it describes precisely what you’ll do to decompress and reduce stress. The goal also specifies what self-care and stress-reduction techniques you’ll try.

M: The goal is measurable because it states how often you’ll practice techniques to avoid burnout.

A: The goal is attainable because practicing yoga or meditation three times a week is more accessible than every day. You’ll likely be able to take at least a couple of PTO days twice a year if not more.

R: The goal is relevant because burnout can quickly happen to nurses, given the high stress and demands of the job.

T: The goal sets a timeframe of three months to evaluate your progress and what you’ve done to reduce stress and burnout risk.

10. Uplevel My Skillset

I will try to start at least ten IVs in the next two weeks. I’ll offer to insert IVs, catheters, or NG tubes for other nurses’ patients whenever there’s an opportunity in the next two months. I’ll practice recognizing a cardiac rhythm on telemetry once a shift and discuss my questions with the charge nurse. In three months, I’ll list skills I’ve improved on and ones I want to practice more.

S: This goal is very specific about what skills you want to practice: IVs, catheters, NG tubes, and reading telemetry.

M: The goal is measurable because you’ll reflect on what went well and where you want to improve after three months.

A: 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’ll have plenty of rhythm strips to look at and senior nurses to learn from.

R: 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.

T: The goal sets a timeframe to get in as much practice as possible and when to re-assess.

11. Be a Team Player

Whenever I’m caught up with my work, I’ll offer to help coworkers with transferring patients or giving medications. I’ll be kind in all my interactions with doctors, therapists, social workers, and other nurses. Every month, I’ll reflect on any feedback I’ve gotten from supervisors or coworkers.

S: The goal here is to be mindful of your interactions with coworkers. It also talks about which tasks you’ll help others with.

M: By thinking about constructive feedback, you can measure how well you’re working with your team.

A: The goal is attainable since it states that you’ll offer to lend a hand whenever you’re caught up on your work.

R: Being a great team player is integral to being a nurse.

T: The goal sets a monthly timeframe for reflecting on how you’re doing as a team member.

12. Improve Workflow

I’ll come to my shift ten to fifteen minutes early so I can review my patient assignments before starting. I’ll make a list of the main tasks I need to complete and which patients I need to see first. I’ll try to get the most difficult tasks done early in my shift. Each week, I’ll write down what went well and what could be better. After three weeks, I’ll reassess and think about ways to be even more efficient.

S: Here, you’re 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.

M: A weekly list of things that did or didn’t work can help you measure your workflow and see how you can improve.

A: The goal is attainable since you’ll already need to do some preparation for work and complete tasks.

R: The goal is relevant because a better workflow will improve efficiency and time management, which will help your day or night run smoothly!

T: Reassessing your progress after three weeks is an excellent time-bound goal.

13. Ace Nursing Job Interviews

I will apply for at least three jobs I’m interested in each week and follow up if I haven’t heard back in one week. I’ll research the company two days before my interview and review ten common interview questions online to feel more prepared. I’ll also choose what I’ll wear and think of three questions to ask the interviewer a day ahead.

S: The goal details precisely what you’ll do to secure a job interview and get prepared. It also mentions how many questions you’ll have ready to ask the company.

M: The goal specifies three questions and how many potential interview questions you’ll prepare for. You can also measure your success by whether you get the job!

A: Looking up interview questions online and preparing a day ahead are all attainable goals.

R: If you’re searching for your perfect nursing job, acing the interview is an integral part of the process.

T: This goal gives you a timeframe for following up with a potential employer and starting to prepare for your interview.

14. Be More Thorough

I’ll perform a head-to-toe assessment on each patient within two hours of starting my shift, if they’re more critical. I’ll come to work ten minutes early so I can review my patients' charts before seeing them. I’ll make a list of each body system to make sure I cover everything in the report. I’ll re-assess where I could improve in a month.

S: This goal mentions what you’ll do to ensure thoroughness, such as conducting full assessments.

M: The goal is measurable. In a month, you should re-assess areas for improvement and make sure you’ve covered each body system in the report.

A: 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.

R: Being thorough is good practice as a nurse since it helps stop problems before they start.

T: 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.

15. Improve Patient Outcomes

I will provide printed instructions to patients on discharge and ask them to repeat what I tell them to ensure they understand. I’ll also do thorough assessments each shift and make sure my patients get all their questions answered before they leave.

S: 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.

M: Having patients repeat what they heard is a way to measure their understanding.

A: If you discharge patients, you must review discharge instructions anyway. Thinking about the best ways to do it might help improve their outcomes.

R: Many of us enter nursing because we want to help people. This goal is relevant because nurses are a huge part of patient success!

T: 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’re doing long-term.

Final Thoughts on SMART Goals for Your Nursing Career

Regardless of where you are in life right now, you can always rely on SMART goals. Nursing doesn’t have to be so challenging when you break each challenge into smaller objectives and face them one at a time.

And if you want more SMART goal ideas and examples, be sure to check out these blog posts:

5 SMART Goals Examples for Dental Hygienists
7 Vision Board Examples to Inspire Nursing Students
9 Examples of SMART Goals for Occupational Therapy
5 SMART Goals Examples to Improve Workplace Teamwork
7 SMART Goals Examples for Improving Your Listening Skills

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals .

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43.2 Developing Critical Thinking

Learning objectives.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Analyze the types of thinking used in nursing
Recognize when to use the different types of thinking in nursing
Explore the application of knowledge to thinking in nursing
Appy Critical Thinking Indicators (CTIs) to decision making

Thinking is something we usually do subconsciously, because we are not usually “thinking about thinking.” However, with the ever-increasing autonomy being afforded to nurses, there is also an increased need for nurses to be able to critically think effectively and intentionally. Being able to critically think helps nurses’ problem solve, generate solutions, and make sound clinical judgments that affect the lives of their patients. Keep reading to learn more about how nurses use critical thinking in practice and how you can develop your own critical thinking skills.

Types of Thinking Used in Nursing

Nurses make decisions while providing patient care by using critical thinking and clinical reasoning. In nursing, critical thinking is a broad term that includes reasoning about clinical issues such as teamwork, collaboration, and streamlining workflow.” On the other hand, clinical reasoning is defined as a complex cognitive process that uses formal and informal thinking strategies to gather and analyze patient information, evaluate the significance of this information, and weigh alternative actions. Each of these types of thinking is described in more detail in the following sections.

Cognitive Thinking

The term cognitive thinking refers to the mental processes and abilities a nurse uses to interpret, analyze, and evaluate information in their practice. Basically, it encompasses how nurses think about the practice decisions they are making. Cognitive thinking and critical thinking go hand in hand because nurses must be able to use their knowledge and mental processes to devise solutions and actions when caring for patients. Using critical thinking means that nurses take extra steps to maintain patient safety and do not just follow orders. It also means the accuracy of patient information is validated and plans for caring for patients are based on their needs, current clinical practice, and research. Critical thinkers possess certain attitudes that foster rational thinking:

confidence: believing in yourself to complete a task or activity
curiosity: asking “why” and wanting to know more
fair-mindedness: treating every viewpoint in an unbiased, unprejudiced way
independence of thought: thinking on your own
insight into egocentricity and sociocentricity: thinking of the greater good and not just thinking of yourself. Knowing when you are thinking of yourself (egocentricity) and when you are thinking or acting for the greater good (sociocentricity)
integrity: being honest and demonstrating strong moral principles
intellectual humility: recognizing your intellectual limitations and abilities
interest in exploring thoughts and feelings: wanting to explore different ways of knowing
nonjudgmental: using professional ethical standards and not basing your judgments on your own personal or moral standards
perseverance: persisting in doing something despite it being difficult

Cognitive thinking is significant to nursing because it provides a foundation on which nurses can make rapid and accurate decisions in clinical practice. Nurses must be able to think quickly and make informed decisions to promote optimal patient outcomes.

Effective Thinking

To make sound judgments about patient care, nurses must generate alternatives, weigh them against the evidence, and choose the best course of action. The ability to clinically reason develops over time and is based on knowledge and experience. Inductive and deductive reasoning are important critical thinking skills. They help the nurse use clinical judgment when implementing the nursing process. Effective thinking in nursing involves the integration of clinical knowledge and critical thinking to make the best decisions for patients. For example, if a nurse was caring for a patient who presents with hypertension and new-onset left-sided weakness, it is important that the nurse be able to quickly consider potential causes for the weakness and implement immediate stroke protocols. Without the ability to critically think, the nurse may overlook the weakness as being unrelated to the hypertension and not consider the possibility of stroke, leading to a poor patient outcome. Thus, it is imperative that nurses develop effective thinking skills.

Inductive Reasoning

The term inductive reasoning involves noticing cues, making generalizations, and creating hypotheses. Cues are data that fall outside of expected findings and give the nurse a hint or indication of a patient’s potential problem or condition. The nurse organizes these cues into patterns and creates a generalization. A generalization is a judgment formed on the basis of a set of facts, cues, and observations and is similar to gathering pieces of a jigsaw puzzle into patterns until the whole picture becomes clearer. On the basis of generalizations created from patterns of data, the nurse creates a hypothesis regarding a patient problem. Remember, a hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a situation. It attempts to explain the “why” behind the problem that is occurring. If a “why” is identified, then a solution can begin to be explored. No one can draw conclusions without first noticing cues. Paying close attention to a patient, the environment, and interactions with family members is critical for inductive reasoning. As you work to improve your inductive reasoning, begin by first noticing details about the things around you. Be mindful of your five primary senses: the things that you hear, feel, smell, taste, and see. Nurses need strong inductive reasoning patterns and be able to act quickly, especially in emergency situations. They can see how certain objects or events form a pattern (or a generalization) that indicates a common problem.

Consider this example: A nurse assesses a patient who has undergone surgery and finds the surgical incision site is red, warm, and tender to the touch. The nurse recognizes these cues form a pattern of signs of infection and creates a hypothesis that the incision has become infected. The provider is notified of the patient’s change in condition, and a new prescription is received for an antibiotic. This is an example of the use of inductive reasoning in nursing practice.

Deductive Reasoning

Another type of critical thinking is deductive reasoning ; it is referred to as “top-down thinking.” Deductive reasoning relies on using a general standard or rule to create a strategy. Nurses use standards set by their state’s Nurse Practice Act, federal regulations, the American Nursing Association, professional organizations, and their employer to make decisions about patient care and solve problems.

Think about this example: On the basis of research findings, hospital leaders determine patients recover more quickly if they receive adequate rest. The hospital creates a policy for quiet zones at night by initiating no overhead paging, promoting low-speaking voices by staff, and reducing lighting in the hallways. The nurse further implements this policy by organizing care for patients that promotes periods of uninterrupted rest at night. This is an example of deductive thinking, because the intervention is applied to all patients regardless of whether they have difficulty sleeping or not.

Identify the Purpose of Thinking

Rationalizing the purpose of thinking is probably not something you do often, but it is the foundational first step in critical thinking. To effectively use critical thinking in practice, the nurse must first identify the purpose of thinking. For example, the nurse is caring for a patient who presents with fever, tachycardia, and shortness of breath. The patient also has an open, infected wound on the left foot that is not healing. The nurse must recognize that the patient is exhibiting signs and symptoms that may be indicative of an underlying problem. At this point, the nurse must be able to identify that the purpose of thinking with regard to the patient is to consider what might be happening with the patient and formulate a plan of care. This begins the process of critical thinking, which involves several steps: thinking ahead, thinking in action, and reflection on thinking.

Thinking Ahead

Thinking ahead in nursing involves considering what may be going on with the patient to anticipate potential outcomes and complications that may arise. Remember competent nurses are proactive versus reactive. Reactive nursing is letting situations arise and then responding to the change, but proactive nursing is recognizing cues behaviors and patterns that are leading up to a complicated event. Additionally, the nurse will formulate goals of care and must try to anticipate specific needs the patient will have. Considering the patient discussed in the preceding paragraph, the nurse should begin the process of thinking ahead about potential outcomes and complications. The nurse may hypothesize that the patient is starting to develop sepsis from the open wound on the foot so severe sepsis and/or septic shock could be a complication to begin preparing for. The nurse thinks ahead about goals of care for the patient and determines that wound care to prevent infection spread and sepsis is the priority goal at this time.

Thinking in Action

Thinking in action encompasses the thought processes occurring while the nurse is performing interventions. So, if the nurse in our example begins performing wound care, they are thinking about the best dressing to use, how to clean the wound, and if antibiotics should be considered. All of these thoughts are likely occurring as the nurse is providing the care; thus, they are examples of how the nurse is using thinking in action.

Reflection on Thinking

After performing interventions or making decisions, the nurse should reflect on the thinking that occurred. The nurse will use this thinking process to determine if the decision was reactive or responsive. Reactive decision-making involves responding to situations after they have occurred, often in a hurried or unplanned manner. These decisions tend to be impulsive and are driven by immediate needs or crises. Responsive decisions, on the other hand, involve careful deliberation about how to address a situation based on careful consideration of information. In our example, the nurse’s decision appears to have been responsive. The patient was exhibiting some altered vital signs, but nothing indicated that the situation had become emergent yet. The nurse was able to think carefully about the patient’s situation and determine that wound care was the highest priority and begin to implement care in a calm, deliberate manner. In an ideal world, all nursing decisions would be responsive, but in a lot of cases, they must be reactive because of situation severity and medical emergencies.

Application of Knowledge

During the outset of the critical thinking process, nurses must judge whether their knowledge is accurate, complete, factual, timely, and relevant. This can be done by applying knowledge to nursing practice in a multitude of ways, including drawing from past education and experience in nursing and using professional resources and standards. Each of these is discussed in more detail in the following sections.

Knowledge Base

Becoming a nurse requires years of schooling, which contributes to the development of a robust knowledge base. Nurses receive formal education and training that provides them foundational knowledge in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and patient care techniques, among many others. Additionally, nurses are required to complete continuing education courses specific to their chosen practice setting, further developing their knowledge base. When applying knowledge in practice, nurses can draw from their knowledge base and make informed decisions about patient care.

Experience in Nursing

Nursing is considered a practice. Nursing practice means we learn from our mistakes and our past experiences and apply this knowledge to our next patient or to the next population we serve. As nurses gain more experience, they can use what they have learned in practice and apply it to new patient situations. Each new encounter with a patient presents unique challenge and learning opportunities that contribute to the development of clinical expertise. Reflecting on these experiences allows nurses to recognize patterns, anticipate patient outcomes, and refine their decision-making processes. Whether they are identifying effective nursing interventions for common conditions, adapting care plans to individual patient needs, or navigating complex situations with compassion, nurses draw upon their accumulated knowledge base from clinical experience to provide high-quality, patient-centered care. Through reflection and continuous learning from past experiences, nurses enhance their clinical skills, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Professional Resources and Standards

In addition to foundational knowledge bases and experience, nurses can also use professional resources and standards to gain and apply knowledge in practice. Nurses can refer to clinical practice guidelines that have been established by professional organizations and healthcare institutions to help provide a framework for implementing nursing interventions based on the best evidence. By following the guidelines, nurses are ensuring that their care aligns with established standards and promotes optimal patient outcomes. Additionally, nurses should remain up to date about new and emerging research in their practice area, which can be obtained by reading professional journals and publications and attending conferences, workshops, and other trainings. Nurses can use the information learned from these resources to influence practice and ensure the highest standards of care are being performed in their practice setting. By staying informed about the latest developments in nursing and health care, nurses enhance their knowledge base and can adapt their practice to incorporate new evidence and innovations. Along with professional development and staying current with professional practices, nursing students should actively seek and join professional organizations such as critical care nursing or oncology nursing societies because this will lead the student to become expert in that subject and stay relevant with current evidence and practice guidelines.

Clinical Safety and Procedures (QSEN)

Qsen competency: evidence-based practice.

Definition: Providing quality patient care based on up-to-date, theory-derived research and knowledge, rather than personal beliefs, advice, or traditional methods.

Knowledge: The nurse will describe how the strength and relevance of available evidence influences the choice of intervention in provision of patient-centered care.

Skill: The nurse will:

subscribe to professional journals that produce original research and evidence-based reports related to their specific area of practice
become familiar with current evidence-based clinical practice topics and guidelines
assist in creating a work environment that welcomes new evidence into standards of practice
question the rational for traditional methods of care that result in sub-par outcomes or adverse events

Attitude: The nurse will appreciate the importance of regularly reading relevant professional journals.

Critique of Decision

After determining the best course of action based on the application of knowledge, the nurse can critique the decisions that were made. Specifically, the nurse will use self-reflection to review their actions and thoughts that led them to the decision. The nurse will consider the outcomes of their chosen interventions, reflect on the effectiveness of their approach, and identify areas of improvement. Additionally, the nurse may seek feedback from colleagues to obtain different perspectives about decisions made. Soliciting input from others helps the nurse gain insight and learn from their peers to further inform their future practice. Reflection questions that the nurse may ask themselves to critique their decision include the following:

Was the patient goal or outcome met?
Could the intervention have been done differently? Could it have been done better?
What are alternative decisions that could have been made? What are the merits of each?

Critical Thinking Indicators

Certain behaviors that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that promote critical thinking are called critical thinking indicators (CTIs) . Critical thinking indicators are tangible actions that are performed to assess and improve your thinking skills.

4-Circle CT Model

There are many models and frameworks within nursing and other disciplines that attempt to explain the process of critical thinking. One of the most popular is Alfaro-LeFevre’s 4-Circle CT Model (Alfaro-LeFevre, 2016). This model breaks critical thinking into four components: personal characteristics, intellectual and cognitive abilities, interpersonal abilities and self-management, and technical skills. These four components overlap, forming interconnections in critical thinking.

Link to Learning

Learn more here about the 4-Circle CT Model and see an illustration of it.

Personal Critical Thinking Indicators

Personal CTIs are behaviors that are indicative of critical thinkers. Some of these behaviors that are most relevant to nursing include:

confidence and resilience: showing ability to reason and learn and overcoming problems
curiosity and inquisitiveness: asking questions and looking for the “why” behind things
effective communication: listening well, showing understanding for others thoughts and feelings, and speaking and writing with clarity
flexibility: changing approaches as needed to obtain the best results
honesty: looking for the truth and demonstrating integrity while adhering to moral and ethical standards
self-awareness: being able to identify one’s own knowledge gaps and acknowledge when thinking may be negatively influenced by emotions or self-interests.

Personal Knowledge and Intellectual Skills

Personal knowledge and intellectual skills encompass the knowledge gained from nursing school and clinical experiences. Examples of each of these kinds of skills are listed in Table 43.3 .

Personal Knowledge	Intellectual Skills

Interpersonal and Self-Management Skills

Interpersonal and self-management skills encompass the knowledge and skills needed for effective collaboration. These include:

addressing conflicts fairly
advocating for patients, self, and others
dealing with complaints constructively
establishing empowered partnerships
facilitating and navigating change
fostering positive interpersonal relationships and promoting teamwork
giving and taking constructive criticism
leading, motivating, and managing others
managing stress, time, and energy
promoting a learning and safety culture
upholding healthy workplace standards
using skilled communication in high-stake situations

Technical Skills

Technical skills in nursing refer to the practical abilities and competencies that nurses use in the delivery of patient care. These skills are typically learned through education, training, and hands-on experience. Some common technical skills in nursing include:

administering medications
assisting with personal hygiene and activities of daily living
documentation and charting
inserting intravenous catheters
inserting urinary catheters and nasogastric tubes
performing tracheostomy care
performing wound care
taking vital signs

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/fundamentals-nursing/pages/1-introduction

Authors: Christy Bowen, Lindsay Draper, Heather Moore
Publisher/website: OpenStax
Book title: Fundamentals of Nursing
Publication date: Sep 4, 2024
Location: Houston, Texas
Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/fundamentals-nursing/pages/1-introduction
Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/fundamentals-nursing/pages/43-2-developing-critical-thinking

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Critical Thinking in Nursing: Tips to Develop the Skill

4 min read • February, 09 2024

Critical thinking in nursing helps caregivers make decisions that lead to optimal patient care. In school, educators and clinical instructors introduced you to critical-thinking examples in nursing. These educators encouraged using learning tools for assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Nurturing these invaluable skills continues once you begin practicing. Critical thinking is essential to providing quality patient care and should continue to grow throughout your nursing career until it becomes second nature. 

What Is Critical Thinking in Nursing?

Critical thinking in nursing involves identifying a problem, determining the best solution, and implementing an effective method to resolve the issue using clinical decision-making skills.

Reflection comes next. Carefully consider whether your actions led to the right solution or if there may have been a better course of action.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all treatment method — you must determine what's best for each patient.

How Is Critical Thinking Important for Nurses? 

As a patient's primary contact, a nurse is typically the first to notice changes in their status. One example of critical thinking in nursing is interpreting these changes with an open mind. Make impartial decisions based on evidence rather than opinions. By applying critical-thinking skills to anticipate and understand your patients' needs, you can positively impact their quality of care and outcomes.

Elements of Critical Thinking in Nursing

To assess situations and make informed decisions, nurses must integrate these specific elements into their practice:

Clinical judgment. Prioritize a patient's care needs and make adjustments as changes occur. Gather the necessary information and determine what nursing intervention is needed. Keep in mind that there may be multiple options. Use your critical-thinking skills to interpret and understand the importance of test results and the patient’s clinical presentation, including their vital signs. Then prioritize interventions and anticipate potential complications. 
Patient safety. Recognize deviations from the norm and take action to prevent harm to the patient. Suppose you don't think a change in a patient's medication is appropriate for their treatment. Before giving the medication, question the physician's rationale for the modification to avoid a potential error. 
Communication and collaboration. Ask relevant questions and actively listen to others while avoiding judgment. Promoting a collaborative environment may lead to improved patient outcomes and interdisciplinary communication. 
Problem-solving skills. Practicing your problem-solving skills can improve your critical-thinking skills. Analyze the problem, consider alternate solutions, and implement the most appropriate one. Besides assessing patient conditions, you can apply these skills to other challenges, such as staffing issues .

A diverse group of three (3) nursing students working together on a group project. The female nursing student is seated in the middle and is pointing at the laptop screen while talking with her male classmates.

How to Develop and Apply Critical-Thinking Skills in Nursing

Critical-thinking skills develop as you gain experience and advance in your career. The ability to predict and respond to nursing challenges increases as you expand your knowledge and encounter real-life patient care scenarios outside of what you learned from a textbook. 

Here are five ways to nurture your critical-thinking skills:

Be a lifelong learner. Continuous learning through educational courses and professional development lets you stay current with evidence-based practice . That knowledge helps you make informed decisions in stressful moments.  
Practice reflection. Allow time each day to reflect on successes and areas for improvement. This self-awareness can help identify your strengths, weaknesses, and personal biases to guide your decision-making.
Open your mind. Don't assume you're right. Ask for opinions and consider the viewpoints of other nurses, mentors , and interdisciplinary team members.
Use critical-thinking tools. Structure your thinking by incorporating nursing process steps or a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) to organize information, evaluate options, and identify underlying issues.
Be curious. Challenge assumptions by asking questions to ensure current care methods are valid, relevant, and supported by evidence-based practice .

Critical thinking in nursing is invaluable for safe, effective, patient-centered care. You can successfully navigate challenges in the ever-changing health care environment by continually developing and applying these skills.

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Career Advice > Professional Development > Upskilling and Promotions > Tips for Using SMART Goals in Nursing

Tips for Using SMART Goals in Nursing

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Have you ever set a goal in your life and found yourself unable to achieve it? We’ve all been there. Setting goals is easy; achieving them is hard. This issue becomes of utmost importance in nursing — a career where your goals must be fulfilled, or lives are in danger. Luckily, there is a science to achieving nursing goals, called SMART goals. Nursing won’t be the same once you learn to apply this strategy.

In this article, we’ll tell you what SMART goals are, how to set them, and why it’s worth the hassle. Lastly, we’ll finish up by providing you with nursing SMART goals examples for an extra dose of inspiration.

What Are SMART Goals in Nursing?

SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely. The idea is to set goals that reflect those five characteristics. Think of SMART goals in nursing as a structured pathway or framework to achieving your goals, bringing clarity and direction to your journey.

What Are the 5 Parts of SMART Goals in Nursing?

1. s — specific.

The biggest enemy of goal-setting is vagueness — it’s like a dense fog that obscures you from accomplishing your goals. Instead of setting vague goals, such as “ become a nurse ,” make it specific: “get accepted to the nursing program at the University of Florida in August of this year.” See the difference?

2. M — Measurable

In nursing, measurement is crucial. Just like with a diabetic patient’s blood sugar, specifying the level is key for effective care. The same principle applies to goal setting — make it measurable. Instead of a vague goal about preparing for NCLEX , resolve to dedicate two hours daily to studying for NCLEX. This way, you can measure your progress. Did you indeed spend two hours studying, or not quite?

3. A — Attainable

A common mistake is setting unattainable goals. Many of us have been there in nursing school, procrastinating on assignments, thinking, “I’ll prepare for this test overnight.” But it rarely works. Success comes from small, daily efforts adding up to a breakthrough later on. Avoid setting overly challenging goals; self-discipline is like a muscle — it grows as you train it. Start with a smaller goal, achieve it, and then, as you build up your self-discipline skills, aim higher.

4. R — Relevant

Make sure your goals match up with your long-term life and career plans. Some things might feel good in the short term but turn into long-term headaches. On the flip side, tackling uncomfortable short-term challenges, like diving into an ADN or BSN program , can set you up for long-term success. Your energy is a valuable resource, so point it toward goals that really matter, and skip wasting it on things that won’t help your career and professional vision.

5. T — Timely

Set a time frame for your goal to boost your chances of follow-through. Daily work is key to achieving any goal, but the effort required depends on your deadline. When do you want to accomplish your goal? Instead of a vague goal to pass medications, specify “pass medications to all six patients by 12 p.m.” to ensure you start preparing at 11 a.m.

6 Benefits of SMART Goals

Nursing is all about improving patient outcomes. Think of the SMART setup as a means to improving your goals’ outcomes. Most people tend to set vague, unrealistic goals that can’t be measured — and then call it quits within a few weeks. For example, only 8% of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions , leaving the rest of us — an astonishing 92% — throwing in the towel and feeling discouraged. SMART goals improve your chances of success.

Here are some of the benefits of SMART goals for nurses:

Improve focus: SMART goals provide clear and specific targets, helping you to stay focused on what needs to be achieved.
Increase motivation: Achieving smaller, measurable goals along the way boosts motivation, providing a sense of accomplishment and encouragement to tackle bigger goals later.
Improve planning: SMART goals require thoughtful planning, helping you to break down larger tasks into manageable steps, manage your time , and make the overall process more organized and achievable.
Enhance problem-solving: It’s easier to identify issues and find solutions when the goals are well-defined.
Boost professional development: SMART goals help you customize your objectives for professional growth , making sure you’re staying on track on your journey of skill improvement .
Effective communication: SMART goals provide a clear framework for communication within a healthcare team , fostering collaboration.

SMART Goals: Nursing Examples

Smart goals for professional development.

Not SMART: Become a nurse practitioner sometime in the future.
SMART: I aim to become a certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) over the next three years. I’ll enroll in and complete a master’s in nursing program at Colorado University, focusing on family practice. I’ll dedicate at least 10 hours per week to studies while working part-time for financial stability. This aligns with my passion for family care, allowing me to take on more responsibilities. My goal is to finish the MSN program and obtain FNP certification by the fall semester in three years.

SMART Goals for Nursing Students in Clinical

Not SMART: I want to become an IV pro.
SMART: I aim to enhance my clinical skills in administering IV medications over the next six weeks. I’ll practice under my clinical instructor’s supervision in at least 15 patient interactions. This goal aligns with my aspiration to become an infusion nurse . By the end of the current clinical rotation, I aim to be proficient in administering IVs and will assess progress through check-ins with my instructor.

SMART Goals for Patient Safety

Not SMART: I want to keep my patients safe.
SMART: I aim to boost patient safety by reducing medication errors in the surgical unit over the next three months. My goal is to cut errors by 20%, tracked through incident reports and health records. Collaborating with the entire healthcare team, I’ll identify causes, implement double-check procedures, and conduct training sessions. This aligns with our commitment to high-quality care . By the end of three months, I’ll assess the impact of these changes and ensure ongoing monitoring for sustained improvement.

Start Your Nursing Career SMART With IntelyCare

Now that you’ve learned about setting SMART goals in nursing, you are ready to take the next step in your career. IntelyCare can help you discover the best-fitting nursing opportunities . The job you are seeking is also seeking you. Sign up today and discover your job match.

15 fun facts about nurses, grand nursing theories: what they mean for today’s nurses, transcultural nursing theory: examples and application, overview and examples of middle range nursing theories, tips for maintaining professional boundaries in nursing, related jobs.

10 Practical SMART Goals Examples in Nursing: Pave the Way for Your Nursing Career

8 minutes read

Nursing, a noble and challenging profession, is full of opportunities for continuous learning and growth. It involves various responsibilities, including patient care, administrative duties, and team collaboration. These responsibilities necessitate a precise and efficient goal-setting system. SMART goals , an effective technique used across diverse sectors, is no stranger to the nursing profession. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of SMART goals examples in nursing. Keep reading.

What Are SMART Goals

SMART is an acronym used to guide the setting of objectives. The letters represent: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Specific: Goals should be clear and concise, providing a distinct understanding of what is expected.
Measurable: Setting parameters that allow the tracking of progress ensures accountability and motivation.
Achievable: While goals should be challenging, they must also be realistic to maintain motivation.
Relevant: Goals should align with broader objectives or personal values for increased drive.
Time-bound: Deadlines create urgency, which can foster motivation and prioritize actions.

The SMART methodology provides a structured approach to formulating objectives that are practical, well-defined, and trackable, optimizing the likelihood of achievement.

Build SMART Goal Online

Why Are SMART Goals Important in Nursing

The implementation of SMART goals in nursing offers several advantages.

Patient Care: By setting specific, measurable goals for patient recovery, nurses can provide tailored care that facilitates faster recovery and better patient outcomes.
Professional Development: SMART goals can assist nurses in identifying areas for professional growth and pursuing further education or training.
Enhanced Communication: When goals are clearly defined and communicated, it improves understanding among team members, leading to increased collaboration and efficiency.
Time Management: With a clear set of prioritized and time-bound goals, nurses can manage their time more effectively, ensuring critical tasks aren't overlooked.
Job Satisfaction: Achieving set goals leads to a sense of accomplishment, which can significantly enhance job satisfaction and motivation.

The use of SMART goals in nursing not only promotes personal and professional growth but also has a profound impact on patient care quality. By setting SMART goals, nurses can make continual strides towards better care practices and optimal patient outcomes.

10 Practical SMART Goals Examples in Nursing

SMART Goals in nursing not only assist nurses to develop professionally but also ensure that they provide the best possible care to their patients. The following are ten practical examples of SMART goals in nursing:

SMART Goals Example in Nursing - 01

General Goal: Enhance Patient Education Skills

Specific (S): Attend a series of workshops on patient education strategies and resources.
Measurable (M): Develop and implement at least two comprehensive patient education plans within the next three months.
Achievable (A): Collaborate with experienced educators, utilize multimedia resources, and integrate feedback for improvement.
Relevant (R): Improve patient understanding and compliance with treatment plans, contributing to better health outcomes.
Time-bound (T): Complete the workshops and implement the education plans within the next three months.

SMART Goals Example in Nursing - 02

General Goal: Improve Medication Administration Accuracy

Use This SMARTGoal Template

Specific (S): Enroll in a medication safety course and practice the "Five Rights" consistently in daily nursing duties.
Measurable (M): Achieve a 98% or higher accuracy rate in medication administration within the next six months.
Achievable (A): Implement double-check procedures, attend skill refresher courses, and seek guidance from experienced colleagues.
Relevant (R): Enhance patient safety by minimizing the risk of medication errors.
Time-bound (T): Assess medication administration accuracy monthly, with the goal of achieving a 98% accuracy rate within six months.

SMART Goals Example in Nursing - 03

General Goal: Strengthen Critical Thinking in Emergency Situations

Specific (S): Participate in simulation exercises and case reviews to enhance critical thinking skills in emergency scenarios.
Measurable (M): Successfully manage at least three simulated emergency cases with improved decision-making.
Achievable (A): Attend critical care workshops, seek mentorship from experienced nurses, and actively participate in emergency drills.
Relevant (R): Enhance the ability to make effective and timely decisions during critical situations.
Time-bound (T): Complete the simulation exercises and case reviews within the next four months.

SMART Goals Example in Nursing - 04

General Goal: Increase Knowledge in Evidence-Based Practice

Specific (S): Enroll in an evidence-based practice course and apply learned principles to nursing care.
Measurable (M): Implement evidence-based interventions in at least two patient care scenarios within the next quarter.
Achievable (A): Engage in journal club discussions, stay updated on current research, and seek guidance from evidence-based practice mentors.
Relevant (R): Enhance the quality of patient care by integrating the latest evidence into nursing practice.
Time-bound (T): Complete the course and implement evidence-based interventions within the next quarter.

SMART Goals Example in Nursing - 05

General Goal: Improve Patient Communication and Satisfaction

Specific (S): Attend communication skills workshops and practice empathetic communication in patient interactions.
Measurable (M): Achieve a 15% increase in patient satisfaction scores within the next six months.
Achievable (A): Utilize patient feedback, participate in role-playing exercises, and seek feedback from peers.
Relevant (R): Foster positive patient-provider relationships and contribute to a patient-centered care environment.
Time-bound (T): Monitor patient satisfaction scores monthly, with the goal of a 15% increase within six months.

SMART Goals Example in Nursing - 06

General Goal: Enhance Wound Care Competency

Build Your SMART Goal Online

Specific (S): Complete a wound care certification course and apply learned skills to wound management.
Measurable (M): Successfully manage and document wound healing progress in at least three patients within the next three months.
Achievable (A): Attend wound care conferences, collaborate with wound care specialists, and utilize evidence-based wound care practices.
Relevant (R): Improve patient outcomes through effective wound assessment and management.
Time-bound (T): Complete the certification course and manage three patients' wounds within the next three months.

SMART Goals Example in Nursing - 07

General Goal: Strengthen Team Collaboration in Multidisciplinary Settings

Specific (S): Participate in interdisciplinary team-building activities and communication workshops.
Measurable (M): Improve collaboration by achieving a 20% reduction in communication-related errors during patient handovers within the next four months.
Achievable (A): Foster open communication, attend team-building events, and implement standardized handover protocols.
Relevant (R): Enhance patient safety through improved communication and coordination among healthcare teams.
Time-bound (T): Assess communication errors during patient handovers monthly, with the goal of a 20% reduction within four months.

SMART Goals Example in Nursing - 08

General Goal: Improve Time Management and Workflow Efficiency

Try SMART Goal Online

Specific (S): Attend time management workshops and implement time-saving strategies in daily nursing duties.
Measurable (M): Achieve a 15% reduction in non-essential task completion times within the next three months.
Achievable (A): Prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities when appropriate, and utilize time management tools.
Relevant (R): Enhance overall workflow efficiency and contribute to a more organized and patient-focused care environment.
Time-bound (T): Assess task completion times weekly, with the goal of a 15% reduction within three months.

SMART Goals Example in Nursing - 09

General Goal: Increase Knowledge in Palliative Care

Specific (S): Enroll in a palliative care certification course and integrate learned principles into patient care.
Measurable (M): Provide comprehensive palliative care for at least two patients, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs within the next six months.
Achievable (A): Attend palliative care conferences, seek guidance from palliative care specialists, and engage in reflective practices.
Relevant (R): Enhance the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses through comprehensive palliative care.
Time-bound (T): Complete the certification course and provide palliative care for two patients within the next six months.

SMART Goals Example in Nursing - 10

General Goal: Strengthen Infection Control Practices

Specific (S): Attend infection control training sessions and implement best practices in daily nursing care.
Measurable (M): Achieve a 90% or higher compliance rate in infection control protocols within the next four months.
Achievable (A): Utilize personal protective equipment appropriately, participate in infection control audits, and stay updated on infection control guidelines.
Relevant (R): Contribute to patient safety by preventing healthcare-associated infections.
Time-bound (T): Assess infection control compliance monthly, with the goal of achieving a 90% or higher compliance rate within four months.

An All-in-one SMART Goals Maker - Boardmix

Setting goals, tracking progress, and achieving targets are fundamental aspects of both personal and professional development. However, goal setting can sometimes be a daunting task, especially if it isn't properly structured or organized. That's where the all-in-one SMART Goals Maker, Boardmix, comes into the picture.

Boardmix is an innovative digital tool designed to simplify the process of setting and monitoring SMART goals. It's not just any ordinary tool; it's an all-in-one solution for individuals, teams, and organizations who strive for efficiency, accuracy, and success in their goal-setting process.

Key Features of Boardmix

The multifunctional SMART Goals Maker, Boardmix, offers a host of features that cater to different aspects of goal setting:

User-friendly Interface: The clean, intuitive interface allows users to navigate through different features smoothly.
Goal Creation & Tracking: Users can easily set their SMART goals with the ready-made SMART goals template and track their progress in real-time.
Team Collaboration: Boardmix enables shared goal-setting and tracking within teams or groups, fostering teamwork
Reporting & Presentation: The platform provides comprehensive reporting and presentation tools for your goal demonstration.
Notifications & Reminders: Boardmix keeps you updated with regular notifications and reminders about your goal deadlines.

How to Use Boardmix

Using Boardmix to set and track your SMART goals is a straightforward process:

Register and create your account on Boardmix.
Go to the dashboard and create a new board.
Define your SMART goal with the template- make sure it's specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Set reminders and notifications as per your preference.
If working in a team, invite your team members to collaborate on shared goals.
Regularly check your progress dashboard to stay on track.

In conclusion, if you're looking for an efficient, user-friendly, and reliable SMART goals maker, Boardmix is worth giving a shot. It's more than just a digital tool; it's your partner in the journey towards achieving your goals.

Extra Tip: How Do You Write SMART Goals in a Nursing Care Plan

Now that we've understood what SMART goals are, here's how you can incorporate them into a nursing care plan.

Patient Assessment: Begin by conducting a thorough assessment of the patient. This involves gathering information about the patient's medical history, current health status, and potential health risks.
Identify Areas for Improvement: Once you've assessed the patient, identify areas where improvement is needed. These could range from physical aspects like mobility or dietary habits to emotional aspects like stress management or coping skills.
Set SMART Goals: Based on your assessment, set SMART goals for each area identified for improvement. For example, if the patient has mobility issues, a SMART goal might be: "The patient will be able to walk 10 meters unassisted within two weeks."
Implement Nursing Interventions: Once you've set your SMART goals, identify the nursing interventions needed to achieve these goals. These could include physical therapy sessions, dietary changes, medication administration, or therapeutic communication strategies.
Evaluate Progress: Regularly evaluate the patient's progress towards each goal. This not only helps keep track of whether the interventions are effective but also allows you to make adjustments as needed.

Writing SMART goals in a nursing care plan requires a careful understanding of the patient's needs, setting clear and achievable targets, implementing effective nursing interventions, and continually evaluating progress. By incorporating SMART goals into nursing care plans, nurses can ensure they deliver high-quality, personalized care to every patient.

Join Boardmix to collaborate with your team.

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Effective Elucidation of Nursing SMART Goals With Examples

“There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs” Zig Ziglar

The above quote very well explains the importance of goal setting in our lives. Each goal that you set on the path to success is a staircase to the top. As long as we are accomplishing our goals in a worthwhile way, we are on the right track to meeting our visionary goals. After all, any goal without a plan is only wishful thinking. Having said that, in every professional field, SMART Goals hold the key to success.

What are smart goals, what could be your goals as a nurse.

How to set smart nursing goals?

SMART Goals nursing examples

Speaking of nursing, in contemporary times, it is one of the most sought-after career fields. As per the World Health Organization, the global registered nursing workforce includes 27 million nurses. In fact, nursing accounts for more than 50 percent of the global healthcare workforce. While these numbers are fascinating, they also hint at the cutthroat competition in the nursing field. So, if you aspire to make it big as a nurse and claim the zenith of success, your goal setting is going to make a real difference.

However, now that we are speaking about goal setting, does it make sense to set goals you can’t measure or track? Do irrational or irrelevant goals give you any purpose or are they only going to deviate from your ambitions? The fact of the matter is that your goals have to be highly systematic. Simply put, you need to set SMART Goals and find smart ways to achieve them. Not sure what SMART Goals are and how you can set SMART Goals in nursing?

Well, you need not worry at all. This is your exclusive guide to understanding and setting SMART Goals in nursing. But before we move toward SMART Goals of nursing, let us first understand nursing goals in a generic sense.

As discussed above, with the increasing complexity of the healthcare sector, your goals need to be SMART enough for you to sustain yourself in the highly competitive healthcare industry. This is where the concept of SMART Goals can be efficiently helpful for you. George Doran in the year 1981 came up with the concept of SMART Goals and objectives. He gave an ideal framework on which the goals of an individual should rely on the most efficient results. As per Doran, all the factors that are necessary to carry out a successful execution of a goal or objective are covered in the framework of SMART where SMART is an acronym for

S- Specific- The very first section of the framework depicts that your goal should always be specific.

M- Measurable- Next comes measurable. This implies that in order to accomplish an objective or goal, it is essential for you to key performance indicators through which you will measure the set goal.

A- Achievable- A in the SMART stands for achievable in the section you will highlight the key skills or tools that are needed to carry forward the successful accomplishment of your set goal.

R- Relevant- Next comes R which stands for relevant. This section will highlight the relevance of your SMART goal to your overall vision values or other major goals that you intend to achieve through the short-term goals.

T- Time-bound- Last but not least is T which stands for time-bound. In the section, you will highlight the time period through which you wish to achieve your set goals.

If you want to learn more about the framework of SMART Goals with some effective examples, go through our detailed SMART Goals learning guide . Now that you have learned about what exactly the framework of SMART Goals is, the next section will shed light on how you can set SMART nursing goals.

1. Constant improvement in theoretical and practical knowledge

Thanks to all the latest technological advancements, healthcare is a field that changes at a constant pace. Besides, after the pandemic, the human body has also been extra vulnerable to certain infections. This is the reason, your first nursing goal should always be to have a constant improvement in your theoretical and practical knowledge.

As the time and human body change, you never know when you will have a certain case under your observation. Hence, it is essential to constantly keep a check on the improvisations and changing scenarios in your field of study in terms of practical and theoretical aspects.

You can access various nursing courses that can assist you in making constant improvisations in your knowledge. These learning apps or other various online or offline resources can efficiently help you in enhancing your theoretical and practical knowledge of your subject field. Besides, the more knowledge you will have, the more enhancement there will be in your professional career. And isn’t that what you want, right?

2. Regular advancement in soft and hard skills

Being in the nursing profession, you might also agree with the fact that it is not a piece of cake. You need to have certain soft and hard skills that make you different from others. In the nursing profession, some of the must-have hard skills are

Advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS)

Proficiency in EHR

Ventilator care

Emergency and critical care nursing

Besides, some of the soft skills that are crucial for being an efficient nurse in the health care industry are

Emotional intelligence

Positive personality traits

Communication skills

Workplace étiquettes

Time management

With respect to communication skills, the 7Cs of Communication holds immense significance in nursing jobs given the vitality of precise communication while dealing with patients or during surgeries.

Besides, having the above-mentioned hard and soft skills will effectively assist you in finishing your jobs with utmost efficiency.

The more you advance in your soft skills and hard skills, the stronger will be your claim to the top. Eventually, every nurse wants to escalate to the position of a nursing officer and for that, your skill set along with your expertise will be the most important determinant.

3. Effective maintenance of work-life balance

A survey suggests that more than 95 percent of nurses experience burnout situations . Besides, around 91 percent of nurses have thought about quitting their jobs because of the enormous amount of stress. Needless to say, when you are in such a critical profession, it is obvious that you will experience paramount stress. Moreover, this stress can also turn into trauma at times. However, quitting is never an option for achievers. You need to find a way around the stress that comes with this profession and get your work-life balance right.

A perfect work-life balance is not only essential from the stress management perspective but also for your productivity. A disrupted work-life balance and work efficiency cannot co-exist for long. Having said that, meeting the goal of a positive work-life balance will clearly aid your productivity and success.

4. Get field-specific certifications

Being a nurse is good but being a certified nurse is even better. Certification of any industry always tends to provide a validation of your knowledge, skills, and expertise. Hence, it is really essential to get field-specific certifications that will enhance your professional value and credibility.

Hence with regular intervals getting certified validations should also be one of your major goals as a nurse. Clinical certifications will demonstrate your high competence in the highly competitive market of the nursing industry. Field base certifications will provide you better confidence which can add value to your prospects and can also assist you in providing higher salaries.

However, one has to realize that this should be a constant process that you need to get certified validations from esteemed professional institutions that can assist you in enhancing your specialty. Some essential and common nursing certifications are mentioned below.

Wound care certification

Advanced practice nursing certification

Medical surgical nursing certification

Nursing specialty certification

Registered nurse certification

Certified cardiovascular nerves practitioner

You just need to critically analyze the right certification for you and you are ready to enhance your value and knowledge in the highly competitive market.

5. Competency in patient care

People may not remember you as a nurse by your name but will definitely remember how you care for them. But you will only be remembered if you do something worth remembering. Besides, providing patient-centered care can be one of the most significant comparative advantages that you can have. Hence, getting competency in patient care should be another crucial goal for you as a nurse.

To provide patient-centered care, it is essential for you to identify care and respect every patient’s diverse culture, values, preferences, needs, and so forth. For the successful accomplishment of the same, you need to develop personality traits such as empathy and emotional intelligence in the nursing . The reason is when you will have these qualities you will effectively be able to continuously coordinate lessons and communicate with your patients regarding their wellness, healthy lifestyles, and other disease prevention.

This way only you will be able to provide quality service and care for the patient which will not only add value to your prospect but will also enhance the efficiency of the workplace you are working for. Once you will be able to provide quality service to patients it will enhance your competency in the particular field.

How to set SMART nursing goals?

1. make your goal more specific.

Adding specificity to goals will ensure that you see a clear path to improving your professional efficiency. In the nursing profession, specifications matter a lot. One small mistake can lead to serious consequences. Hence, even when setting a goal in order to improve in your nursing profession, it is really essential to add specificity to your goal.

Hence, the very first step that will assist you in setting a SMART nursing goal is that you have added a unique specificity to it. To simplify, you need to note down the exact nursing goal you desire to achieve.

The simple logic behind the same is that the more you'll be specific about your goal, the more specific directions you will be able to give yourself on achieving that goal. In order to make your nursing goal specific, you need to keep four main Ws in mind. Detailed elaboration of all the 4Ws is given below

What- The first W stands for 'what' that simply refers to the agenda you wish to achieve through your goal. For example, as a nurse what is the main goal that you wish to work on? Whether it relates to your professional development or your personal development?

Who- The second W stands for “who” that aligns with all the people concerned people with the who. For example, if you set a goal, you will keep your and every person that will assist you in accomplishing the goal in mind before developing the SMART goal. For example, while setting your nursing goals, can include other doctorate staff members, your colleagues, or your seniors.

When- The specificity of time will assist you in framing your goal more precisely.

Where- In this section, you will focus on specifying the location (if any) involved in the accomplishment process of your goal. For example, you wish to accomplish your goal in your workplace or nursing institutions, etc.

Once you will successfully specify your goal, formulating all the further strategies will get much easier. Besides, after specifying the goal, you are ready to move ahead to the next phase of setting a SMART goal.

2. Make your goals measurable

As discussed above as well, the competition in the nursing workforce is increasing at a rampant pace. Hence, it is really essential to constantly improve yourself in the nursing profession in order to outshine all your competition. But, how, as a nurse, are you supposed to improve, if you can not measure?

Besides, Peter Ducker also once correctly quoted, "you cannot improve if you can't measure". Hence, another crucial step that is really important in setting a SMART nursing goal is to make your goal measurable. This factor will determine whether you were successful in achieving your desired goal or not.

For making a goal measurable, it is really essential to set some of the key performance indicators beforehand that will assist you in measuring the success of your performance in achieving your desired goals. For example, as a nurse, if your main goal is to provide the best service to your patient, then there are some crucial healthcare KPIs that will assist you in measuring the success of your overall performance.

3. Consider the achievability level

In this step, you need to consider the fact that how achievable your set goal is. Moreover, all the factors, skills, or tools that might be needed to make this goal achievable will be discussed in your section. The very important reason for setting an achievable goal is that when successfully achieved, it can boost your confidence and self-esteem. But this does not mean that you need to set the easiest goals for yourself. This implies that you need to make sure that your goal is realistic in every possible sense so that you can achieve it effectively.

For example, you say that you want to become a head nurse as a fresher within the next two months. Although this goal is possible in some ideal circumstances, this goal majorly reflects unrealistic expectations which can lower your morale when not successfully accomplished. Besides, you might need to experience and learn a lot more skills than it takes to be a head nurse.

4. Identify the relevance

As a nurse, setting a goal is crucial, but setting a relevant goal is even more crucial because the relevancy of your nursing goal is directly related to your growth in the nursing profession.

Hence, relevancy is the fourth and crucial phase while setting a SMART nursing goal. The reason is in this section, you need to find a correlation between how your set SMART nursing goal compliments your bigger vision and objectives in the nursing field. To successfully find the relevance of your goal, you need to effectively reflect on your goal using different reflection models to ensure that the relevancy of your SMART Goals significantly aligns with your future vision.

Identifying the key relevance of your SMART nursing goals is really essential because this section will ensure whether all your invested efforts will be worthwhile in any way possible in your professional life or not. Besides, you can also check the relevancy of your nursing SMART Goals based on the registered nursing standards of your country.

5. Make your goals time-bound

Time is a really crucial aspect of the healthcare industry. If as a nurse, you are able to do things on time, then only you will be able to succeed in saving the lives of people.

Hence, the last yet critical stage of setting your SMART nursing goal is designating a time frame. It is really essential to make your goal time-bound. It is essential to make your goal time-bound because it helps you keep going and motivated to achieve the goal in the set time frame. Hence, it is really essential to set a time frame for every task to set a realistic time frame to achieve your goal.

Now that we have understood in detail what SMART Goals are, what the key nursing goals are, and how to set SMART Goals, let us now look at some effective examples of nursing SMART Goals taking various scenarios into consideration.

SMART nursing goal example 1.

SMART nursing goal example 2.

SMART nursing goal example 3.

Exceptional SMART Goals example for nursing

SMART nursing goal example 4.

SMART nursing goal example 5.

To conclude, nursing is a field that requires the highest degree of professionalism and involves a plethora of critical responsibilities. Hence, in order to excel in your career, you need to set some efficient SMART Goals that will assist you in successfully attaining your career ambitions. Having said that, in this enormously competitive world, setting SMART Goals is the smartest approach to thrive.

How can nursing SMART goals help with professional development?

Nursing SMART goals facilitate professional development by guiding nurses to identify areas of improvement, create actionable plans, and track progress. They enable nurses to enhance their skills, knowledge, and competencies, leading to career advancement and improved patient care.

How do nursing SMART goals contribute to patient care and outcomes?

Nursing SMART goals directly impact patient care and outcomes by promoting continuous improvement in nursing practice. When nurses set specific and measurable goals related to patient care, safety, and satisfaction, they can implement targeted interventions that lead to better patient outcomes.

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Why Is It Important to Set Nursing Goals?

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Jul 24, 2024

girl writing smart nursing goals in notebook

As a new nurse, understanding how to set realistic nursing goals is a critical skill to develop because it helps you stay focused and determined as you advance through your career. Below, we’ll provide you with the tips and strategies you’ll need to create smart — and SMART — goals of your own.

For the most part, goals help give you direction in your career, as well as a greater sense of purpose. Having clear objectives can help you stay focused on the task at hand and keep you motivated when you get stressed or frustrated. Plus, the simple act of setting nursing goals gives you the chance to take stock of the professional strengths you already have, as well as the skills you still need to develop or hone. The trick is knowing how to create them in such a way that you’re setting yourself for success.

The SMART acronym is a helpful way to develop solid and reasonable nursing goals. According to this strategy, a good “SMART” goal must be:

Below, we’ll walk you through what’s involved in each layer of the goal-setting process and give you examples that meet the SMART criteria.

A specific goal is clear and precise, rather than vague. For example, rather than saying that you want to improve your knowledge of mental health, consider committing to attending at least two conferences about depression and anxiety in the coming year.

A measurable goal is easily measured, so that you have some way of defining what “success” looks like for you. For example, you could set a goal of receiving a five percent pay raise within the next three years.

An achievable goal is challenging enough to be compelling, but isn’t impossible. Additionally, you’ll also need the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to accomplish it. For example, as a nursing student, you probably didn’t have any time to do any reading outside of your schoolwork. Now that you’re a professional and have days off to spend how you’d like, you could set a nursing goal of reading five industry- or specialty-related articles a week as a way to continue your professional development.

A realistic goal is relevant to your current priorities and fits naturally within your short- and long-term career plans. Say that it’s always been your dream to work as a neuroscience nurse in San Francisco. But, with your family on the East Coast and your children still in school, you’re not sure how realistic that is. However, you can break it up into smaller, bite-sized objectives that will help you make progress toward that final result. For example, one of your smaller nursing goals could be to find 10 hospitals and facilities in the Bay Area where you’d want to work and establish contacts at each.

A time-bound goal has a set timeline within which to accomplish it. Having a deadline will help you keep yourself on track and refocus if you start to veer off course. Without a set timeline, it can become far too easy to procrastinate. For example, say that your goal was simply to take the NCLEX. In this situation, the lack of an established timeline makes it harder for you to keep yourself on track and hold yourself accountable for getting to the finish line. Instead, make things easier by setting a finite amount of time to complete this goal, such as six months.

Tip #1: Write them down.

Writing down your goals helps make them more real and tangible. This will also help you identify any details that you may need to tweak so that your objectives are as SMART as possible.

Tip #2: Track them.

Tracking the progress you make toward your goals helps you stay on task and lets you know when you’ve achieved what you’ve set out to do.

Tip #3: Celebrate small victories.

While big goals are important, you should also make sure to celebrate the small victories you achieve along the way. Focusing on the little milestones you hit will help you stay motivated and make your larger goals seem less intimidating. For example, if your overarching goal is to get into an MSN program, a small victory could be finally taking the CRE after continuing to put it off.

Tip #4: Run your own race.

Your goals should be yours and yours alone. Don’t let yourself be influenced by colleagues or friends and what they’re trying to accomplish. When you’re working toward goals that matter to you, you’ll be more likely to achieve them. If you start to focus on what other people are doing, you run the risk of finding yourself in a situation you didn’t want to be in to begin with.

Tip #5: Understand your motivations.

You shouldn’t set goals simply for the sake of setting goals. Explore your deeper motivations and use them to fuel your fire.

When you’re in goal-setting mode, consider all areas where you could improve your skills and job performance. Here are 10 sample SMART nursing goals you could set for yourself within your first five years of nursing.

I’ll complete all critical tasks by the time my shift ends.
I’ll delegate or ask for help whenever I feel overwhelmed.

Performance Accuracy

Within two weeks, I want to understand the policies and procedures for the medications I can administer.
Within 10 minutes of leaving a patient, I’ll chart all my interactions with them while they’re still fresh in my mind.

Patient-Care Improvements

Before I go on break or end my shift, I’ll spend no less than five minutes talking to the new nurse about my patients’ details and instructions for their care.
Within two weeks, I’ll figure out two or three topics that each patient cares about so I can take their minds off of their medical situations.
Within three months, I’ll find a mentor and make plans to speak with them on a weekly basis, either face-to-face or over the phone.
In my fifth year in the field, I’ll pay it forward by finding a new nurse to mentor.

Career Planning

In the next year, I’ll attend at least two nursing conferences. Ideally, one of them will be geared toward my specialty.
I’ll complete my MSN within the next four years.

As you can see, all these nursing goals satisfy every element of the SMART strategy. This makes them good goals for entry-level nurses working in a variety of different specialties.

Image courtesy of iStock.com/ Hiraman

Last updated on Jul 24, 2024. Originally published on May 20, 2019.

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10 Best Examples Of SMART Goals For Nursing Students During Preceptorship

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?

Smart goal #1: develop good relationships with preceptors, smart goal #2: familiarize yourself with the unit, smart goal #3: strengthen organizational skills, smart goal #4: learn to give end-of-shift report, smart goal #5: enhance communication skills, smart goal #6: learn to prioritize patient care, smart goal #7: develop critical thinking skills, smart goal #8: master medication administration techniques, smart goal #9: learn measures to build solid nurse-patient relationships, smart goal #10: learn and implement the five rights delegation, my final thoughts, list of sources used for this article.

How to Set SMART Goals in Nursing

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This articles going to teach you about smart goal setting in the nursing profession.

Before we get into how to set nursing smart goals lets first talk about the why. Specifically why smart goal setting in nursing is important.

Why is Goal Setting in Nursing Important?

Often overlooked, goal setting is a critical piece for success in your career as a staff nurse, nurse leader and honestly life in general.

Goals encourage success, and setting individual or team goals for your subordinates can motivate them and you to accomplish things you otherwise wouldn’t.

Here are five reasons why it’s so important.

1. Forces You to Focus

Alexander Graham Bell said,

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand.The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” Alexander Graham Bell

Goals force you to hone in on a target and gives your activities a sense of purpose. Setting goals give you a direction to concentrate your efforts.

2. You Know When You Accomplish Something

Setting nursing goals let you know when you have accomplished something. For example, if you say “I want to be a good runner.”

How do you know when you have finished that task?

Without setting a clear goal, you don’t know. If instead, you say “I want to run a mile in 10 minutes” you set a clear expectation of what your goal consists of.

3. You Make Large Tasks Easier to Achieve

Have you heard of the proverb

“how do you eat an elephant…one bite at a time?

As silly as that quote is there is a lot of truth in it. Difficult tasks can be overwhelming if they are not broken down.

Take a similar example from above. Let’s say you have a goal to run a marathon. A marathon is 26.2188 miles ( source ). To most that would be a daunting task.

However, what if you divided it down to one mile, then five miles and then worked up from there? Pretty soon you would achieve that marathon one mile at a time.

4. Goals motivate and Keep You Accountable

Clear and appropriate feasible goals can drive and keep you moving forward. Continuing with the example above, say you did break up your goal of running a marathon into smaller mile increments.

After you accomplish a one-mile goal, then the three-mile goal, then five-mile goal and so forth you will become energized because you hit those goals.

Achieving those goals lead to a feeling of accomplishment and encourages you to move forward toward the end goal.

5. Goals Keep You Accountable and Give Feedback

Appropriate goals are excellent at giving you feedback and being an honest critique. At the end of the day, you either met the target or you did not.

Not reaching a goal can give you valuable information and can show you areas where improvement is needed.

The running example used is an easily relatable goal, but the principles apply broadly to just about anything.

Are you trying to write a paper?
Are you trying to finish a big project for work?
Are you trying to make a significant personal or career change?

Goal setting is vital for achieving success in those areas.

How to Write a SMART goal in Nursing Profession

You now understand the importance of setting goals for yourself. You may now be asking, “what’s the best way to set goals?”

You’re in luck, I have the answer for you. The best way to set goals in nursing is to use the S.M.A.R.T acronym.

The SMART acronym stands for setting goals that are

M easurable
A ttainable

#1. SPECIFIC

Specific goals should be well defined and easy for even an outside person to know what you are talking about.

When you have a goal that’s specific, it forces you to focus and better utilize your efforts.

In other words, you never have to second guess or wonder what you’re aiming for.

SMART Nursing Goals Example (lousy goal setting example):

Jane has set a goal to move up and become a leader after graduating school.

In the example, it’s not completely clear what Jane is aiming for.

SMART Nursing Goals Example (better goal setting example):

Jane wants to acquire experience, so she can become a chief nursing officer at Generic Hospital.

In this example, it’s clear what Jane’s goals are. Because Jane made a specific goal, she knows precisely what she is aiming for.

That’s how to set a smart goal .

#2. MEASURABLE

Here’s a question.

If you set goals, how do you know when you have accomplished those goals? If the answer is “I don’t know” then you’re probably making goals that are not measurable.

Goals that aren’t measurable make it difficult to keep track of your progress. Even worse, it may be challenging to know when you have accomplished your goal.

Not being able to keep track of your goals will lead to a quick loss of motivation.

To help make your goal measurable, try to quantify it.

Nursing Goals Example (bad example)

John has set a goal for himself to be able to run by the end of summer.

In the above example, how do we know when John has accomplished his goal?

Is it after he runs 10ft?
Is John trying to run a mile or two miles?
What if he is trying to run a marathon by the end of the summer.

In the above example, the goal doesn’t give us a way to measure progress. In the end, we won’t know when John accomplishes his goal.

The result is John will probably lose motivation and quit. What if John said this instead:

Nursing goals example (an excellent example of goal setting)

John has set a goal for himself. He wants to run 1-mile in 15 minutes by the end of the summer.

That’s how you set a smart goal that is measurable.

#3. ATTAINABLE

You always want to set realistic goals. If there is no possible way it can happen, then it doesn’t make sense to set the goal.

SMART goals example (bad example of goal setting):

Jim wants to lose 20 pounds in a week.

Realistically are you going to lose 20 pounds in a week?

It’s highly unlikely. Therefore that goal is unrealistic. A better goal would be:

SMART goals example (a good example of goal setting):

Jim wants to lose one pound in a week.

That’s how you set a smart goal that is realistic.

#4. RELEVANT

Your goal also needs to be relevant to what your actual efforts are.

If you set a goal and you are neither able nor willing to work for it, you’re not going to attain it.

Another way of saying this is your goal must be relevant to your overall vision.

SMART Nursing Goals Example (a lousy example of goal setting)

Johnny just graduated from school and landed his first nursing job.

Long-term he doesn’t see himself in leadership.

He has set a goal to become a manager as soon as possible.

Setting a goal to be a manager is not consistent with a long-term vision that doesn’t include leadership. Instead, you want your goals to be centered around what your long-term vision is.

That’s how you set a SMART goal that is relevant.

Putting a time frame on the goal you set is essential. If you don’t put a timeframe on your target, you will eventually become unmotivated.

SMART Nursing Goals Examples (bad example):

John made a goal for himself. He wants to save $1000.

In the example above, we don’t know when John needs to have the money saved. Without knowing that piece of information, it’s hard to measure progress. It’s likely John will not be as motivated without a timeframe.

SMART goals example (good example)

John has set a SMART goal. He wants to have $1000 saved in 2 months.

That’s how to set a SMART goal that is timely.

SMART Goals Examples

John’s SMART goal is to learn how to ride a bicycle by the end of the summer.
Samantha has a SMART goal which is to graduate college with her nursing degree in four years.
Jimmy has a goal which is to lose 10 pounds in two months.

Proper goal setting can either be a cornerstone for motivation or a drain on motivation.

It does take more work and planning initially. In the long run, setting SMART goals for yourself will pay off.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what does smart stand for.

As mentioned earlier SMART stands for:

a hand holding a sticky note that says set goals

M easurable,
A ttainable,
R ealistic,

2. What are some Goals for Nursing?

There are a lot of goals nurses can and should strive for. Some examples could involve

Career Nursing Goal

By the end of the year, I’m going to find a mentor.
Before this year is over I’m going to attend at least one nursing conference.
I’m going to study and get my CCRN certification by the end of next year.
I’m going to improve my charting skills by the end of the year so I stop staying late at work.
I’m going to find a low-stress nursing job by the end of the year.

Personal Nursing Goal

Before this month is over I’m going to find a hobby I enjoy doing.
I’m going to start going to the gym 3 times a month by the end of April.
I’m going to start a nurse side-hustle by January 1st.
I’m going to pay off my nursing school loans 2 years early.

School Nursing Goals

I’m going to pass the NCLEX the first time I take it.
I’m going to buy everything I need for nursing school before July 30.

What goal have you set using the SMART acronym?

If you enjoyed this article, please share it so we can get the word out and educate others.

About the Author

Thomas Uzuegbunem is a registered nurse who graduated with a bachelor’s in business and went on to get his bachelor’s of science in nursing. He’s worked in the ICU, mental health (inpatient, outpatient), & GI specialty areas. He’s the lead editor and founder of Nurse Money Talk.

21 Comments

i am now working on setting goals for my blog.. with a whole new approach to it.. and this will help

I’m glad you were able to find this helpful.

Your SMART Goals list is perfect for applying to anything you wish to achieve. Thanks for this!

I’m glad you found it helpful. Thank you for commenting.

A SMART goal is the best way to achieve what you need to. Great post!

Thank you. I hope you found the post helpful.

I totally agree with point 3, goals must be realistic. These are some graet points you have here

It’s hard to achieve goals that are not realistic. That’s why SMART goals are the way to go. I hope you found this post helpful.

Wow .. great post.. it is super helpful post .. thanks for sharing with us

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I’m glad you found it helpful.

Specificity and time-frame..these are the 2 things I need to work on when defining my goal..

It’s hard but proper SMART goal setting is important. Keep trying you’ll get there.

Such a great list of goals, for any achievement really!!

Thank you. I hope you found it helpful.

Goals are the only way you can place in life. But it’s def true to make sure they are attainable. Great point. Great post.

Thank you. I hope you found it helpful. Learning how to set SMART goals is important for achieving success.

All my goals are unrealistic lol thanks for the guidance

Lol. You’re not the only one with a tendency to set unrealistic goals.

Absolutely! Glad you found the article helpful.

hi! everyone please can you help me I need to formulate at least 3 SMART goals for my yearly evaluation.I am a senior nurse in a big hospital. please help me Thank you

This is helpful and encouraging. I am on my last paper for the semester and then I graduate. The last paper is all about your goals and nursing ethics. SMART goals help to define your goal in a simple but definitive way. I have a poster in my study area that say’s YOU GOT THIS! Never give up, take one day at a time, one small step at a time.

Critical Thinking: The Development of an Essential Skill for Nursing Students

Ioanna v. papathanasiou.

1 Nursing Department, Technological Educational Institute of Thessaly, Greece

Christos F. Kleisiaris

2 Nursing Department, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, Greece

Evangelos C. Fradelos

3 State Mental Hospital of Attica “Daphne”, Greece

Katerina Kakou

Lambrini kourkouta.

4 Nursing Department, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece

Critical thinking is defined as the mental process of actively and skillfully perception, analysis, synthesis and evaluation of collected information through observation, experience and communication that leads to a decision for action. In nursing education there is frequent reference to critical thinking and to the significance that it has in daily clinical nursing practice. Nursing clinical instructors know that students face difficulties in making decisions related to clinical practice. The main critical thinking skills in which nursing students should be exercised during their studies are critical analysis, introductory and concluding justification, valid conclusion, distinguish of facts and opinions, evaluation the credibility of information sources, clarification of concepts and recognition of conditions. Specific behaviors are essentials for enhancing critical thinking. Nursing students in order to learn and apply critical thinking should develop independence of thought, fairness, perspicacity in personal and social level, humility, spiritual courage, integrity, perseverance, self-confidence, interest for research and curiosity. Critical thinking is an essential process for the safe, efficient and skillful nursing practice. The nursing education programs should adopt attitudes that promote critical thinking and mobilize the skills of critical reasoning.

1. INTRODUCTION

Critical thinking is applied by nurses in the process of solving problems of patients and decision-making process with creativity to enhance the effect. It is an essential process for a safe, efficient and skillful nursing intervention. Critical thinking according to Scriven and Paul is the mental active process and subtle perception, analysis, synthesis and evaluation of information collected or derived from observation, experience, reflection, reasoning or the communication leading to conviction for action ( 1 ).

So, nurses must adopt positions that promote critical thinking and refine skills of critical reasoning in order a meaningful assessment of both the previous and the new information and decisions taken daily on hospitalization and use of limited resources, forces you to think and act in cases where there are neither clear answers nor specific procedures and where opposing forces transform decision making in a complex process ( 2 ).

Critical thinking applies to nurses as they have diverse multifaceted knowledge to handle the various situations encountered during their shifts still face constant changes in an environment with constant stress of changing conditions and make important decisions using critical thinking to collect and interpret information that are necessary for making a decision ( 3 ).

Critical thinking, combined with creativity, refine the result as nurses can find specific solutions to specific problems with creativity taking place where traditional interventions are not effective. Even with creativity, nurses generate new ideas quickly, get flexible and natural, create original solutions to problems, act independently and with confidence, even under pressure, and demonstrate originality ( 4 ).

The aim of the study is to present the basic skills of critical thinking, to highlight critical thinking as a essential skill for nursing education and a fundamental skill for decision making in nursing practice. Moreover to indicate the positive effect and relation that critical thinking has on professional outcomes.

2. CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Nurses in their efforts to implement critical thinking should develop some methods as well as cognitive skills required in analysis, problem solving and decision making ( 5 ). These skills include critical analysis, introductory and concluding justification, valid conclusion, distinguishing facts and opinions to assess the credibility of sources of information, clarification of concepts, and recognition conditions ( 6 , 7 ).

Critical analysis is applied to a set of questions that relate to the event or concept for the determination of important information and ideas and discarding the unnecessary ones. It is, thus, a set of criteria to rationalize an idea where one must know all the questions but to use the appropriate one in this case ( 8 ).

The Socratic Method, where the question and the answer are sought, is a technique in which one can investigate below the surface, recognize and examine the condition, look for the consequences, investigate the multiple data views and distinguish between what one knows and what he simply believes. This method should be implemented by nurses at the end of their shifts, when reviewing patient history and progress, planning the nursing plan or discussing the treatment of a patient with colleagues ( 9 ).

The Inference and Concluding justification are two other critical thinking skills, where the justification for inductive generalizations formed from a set of data and observations, which when considered together, specific pieces of information constitute a special interpretation ( 10 ). In contrast, the justification is deduced from the general to the specific. According to this, nurse starts from a conceptual framework–for example, the prioritization of needs by Maslow or a context–evident and gives descriptive interpretation of the patient’s condition with respect to this framework. So, the nurse who uses drawing needs categorizes information and defines the problem of the patient based on eradication, nutrition or need protection.

In critical thinking, the nurses still distinguish claims based on facts, conclusions, judgments and opinions. The assessment of the reliability of information is an important stage of critical thinking, where the nurse needs to confirm the accuracy of this information by checking other evidence and informants ( 10 ).

The concepts are ideas and opinions that represent objects in the real world and the importance of them. Each person has developed its own concepts, where they are nested by others, either based on personal experience or study or other activities. For a clear understanding of the situation of the patient, the nurse and the patient should be in agreement with the importance of concepts.

People also live under certain assumptions. Many believe that people generally have a generous nature, while others believe that it is a human tendency to act in its own interest. The nurse must believe that life should be considered as invaluable regardless of the condition of the patient, with the patient often believing that quality of life is more important than duration. Nurse and patient, realizing that they can make choices based on these assumptions, can work together for a common acceptable nursing plan ( 11 ).

3. CRITICAL THINKING ENHANCEMENT BEHAVIORS

The person applying critical thinking works to develop the following attitudes and characteristics independence of thought, fairness, insight into the personal and public level, humble intellect and postpone the crisis, spiritual courage, integrity, perseverance, self-confidence, research interest considerations not only behind the feelings and emotions but also behind the thoughts and curiosity ( 12 ).

Independence of Thought

Individuals who apply critical thinking as they mature acquire knowledge and experiences and examine their beliefs under new evidence. The nurses do not remain to what they were taught in school, but are “open-minded” in terms of different intervention methods technical skills.

Impartiality

Those who apply critical thinking are independent in different ways, based on evidence and not panic or personal and group biases. The nurse takes into account the views of both the younger and older family members.

Perspicacity into Personal and Social Factors

Those who are using critical thinking and accept the possibility that their personal prejudices, social pressures and habits could affect their judgment greatly. So, they try to actively interpret their prejudices whenever they think and decide.

Humble Cerebration and Deferral Crisis

Humble intellect means to have someone aware of the limits of his own knowledge. So, those who apply critical thinking are willing to admit they do not know something and believe that what we all consider rectum cannot always be true, because new evidence may emerge.

Spiritual Courage

The values and beliefs are not always obtained by rationality, meaning opinions that have been researched and proven that are supported by reasons and information. The courage should be true to their new ground in situations where social penalties for incompatibility are strict. In many cases the nurses who supported an attitude according to which if investigations are proved wrong, they are canceled.

Use of critical thinking to mentally intact individuals question their knowledge and beliefs quickly and thoroughly and cause the knowledge of others so that they are willing to admit and appreciate inconsistencies of both their own beliefs and the beliefs of the others.

Perseverance

The perseverance shown by nurses in exploring effective solutions for patient problems and nursing each determination helps to clarify concepts and to distinguish related issues despite the difficulties and failures. Using critical thinking they resist the temptation to find a quick and simple answer to avoid uncomfortable situations such as confusion and frustration.

Confidence in the Justification

According to critical thinking through well motivated reasoning leads to reliable conclusions. Using critical thinking nurses develop both the inductive and the deductive reasoning. The nurse gaining more experience of mental process and improvement, does not hesitate to disagree and be troubled thereby acting as a role model to colleagues, inspiring them to develop critical thinking.

Interesting Thoughts and Feelings for Research

Nurses need to recognize, examine and inspect or modify the emotions involved with critical thinking. So, if they feel anger, guilt and frustration for some event in their work, they should follow some steps: To restrict the operations for a while to avoid hasty conclusions and impulsive decisions, discuss negative feelings with a trusted, consume some of the energy produced by emotion, for example, doing calisthenics or walking, ponder over the situation and determine whether the emotional response is appropriate. After intense feelings abate, the nurse will be able to proceed objectively to necessary conclusions and to take the necessary decisions.

The internal debate, that has constantly in mind that the use of critical thinking is full of questions. So, a research nurse calculates traditions but does not hesitate to challenge them if you do not confirm their validity and reliability.

4. IMPLEMENTATION OF CRITICAL THINKING IN NURSING PRACTICE

In their shifts nurses act effectively without using critical thinking as many decisions are mainly based on habit and have a minimum reflection. Thus, higher critical thinking skills are put into operation, when some new ideas or needs are displayed to take a decision beyond routine. The nursing process is a systematic, rational method of planning and providing specialized nursing ( 13 ). The steps of the nursing process are assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation. The health care is setting the priorities of the day to apply critical thinking ( 14 ). Each nurse seeks awareness of reasoning as he/she applies the criteria and considerations and as thinking evolves ( 15 ).

Problem Solving

Problem solving helps to acquire knowledge as nurse obtains information explaining the nature of the problem and recommends possible solutions which evaluate and select the application of the best without rejecting them in a possible appeal of the original. Also, it approaches issues when solving problems that are often used is the empirical method, intuition, research process and the scientific method modified ( 16 ).

Experiential Method

This method is mainly used in home care nursing interventions where they cannot function properly because of the tools and equipment that are incomplete ( 17 ).

Intuition is the perception and understanding of concepts without the conscious use of reasoning. As a problem solving approach, as it is considered by many, is a form of guessing and therefore is characterized as an inappropriate basis for nursing decisions. But others see it as important and legitimate aspect of the crisis gained through knowledge and experience. The clinical experience allows the practitioner to recognize items and standards and approach the right conclusions. Many nurses are sensing the evolution of the patient’s condition which helps them to act sooner although the limited information. Despite the fact that the intuitive method of solving problems is recognized as part of nursing practice, it is not recommended for beginners or students because the cognitive level and the clinical experience is incomplete and does not allow a valid decision ( 16 ).

Research Process / Scientifically Modified Method

The research method is a worded, rational and systematic approach to problem solving. Health professionals working in uncontrolled situations need to implement a modified approach of the scientific method of problem solving. With critical thinking being important in all processes of problem solving, the nurse considers all possible solutions and decides on the choice of the most appropriate solution for each case ( 18 ).

The Decision

The decision is the selection of appropriate actions to fulfill the desired objective through critical thinking. Decisions should be taken when several exclusive options are available or when there is a choice of action or not. The nurse when facing multiple needs of patients, should set priorities and decide the order in which they help their patients. They should therefore: a) examine the advantages and disadvantages of each option, b) implement prioritization needs by Maslow, c) assess what actions can be delegated to others, and d) use any framework implementation priorities. Even nurses make decisions about their personal and professional lives. The successive stages of decision making are the Recognition of Objective or Purpose, Definition of criteria, Calculation Criteria, Exploration of Alternative Solutions, Consideration of Alternative Solutions, Design, Implementation, Evaluation result ( 16 ).

The contribution of critical thinking in decision making

Acquiring critical thinking and opinion is a question of practice. Critical thinking is not a phenomenon and we should all try to achieve some level of critical thinking to solve problems and make decisions successfully ( 19 - 21 ).

It is vital that the alteration of growing research or application of the Socratic Method or other technique since nurses revise the evaluation criteria of thinking and apply their own reasoning. So when they have knowledge of their own reasoning-as they apply critical thinking-they can detect syllogistic errors ( 22 – 26 ).

5. CONCLUSION

In responsible positions nurses should be especially aware of the climate of thought that is implemented and actively create an environment that stimulates and encourages diversity of opinion and research ideas ( 27 ). The nurses will also be applied to investigate the views of people from different cultures, religions, social and economic levels, family structures and different ages. Managing nurses should encourage colleagues to scrutinize the data prior to draw conclusions and to avoid “group thinking” which tends to vary without thinking of the will of the group. Critical thinking is an essential process for the safe, efficient and skillful nursing practice. The nursing education programs should adopt attitudes that promote critical thinking and mobilize the skills of critical reasoning.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: NONE DECLARED.

9 SMART Goals Examples for Developing Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is all about using your head to make judgments rather than simply following your gut instinct or going along with what others think or do.

It’s about being open-minded and considering all the available information before coming to a conclusion. But that’s easier said than done.

Luckily, developing goals is an amazing approach to sharpening your critical thinking skills. Whether you are an industry professional or a college student, setting SMART goals will elevate your ability to think critically.

You’ll be living more successfully in your career and personal life. After all, SMART goals are crucial to making a step-by-step plan for realizing your visions. This is a powerful tool that determines if you attain your dreams.

Table of Contents

What is a SMART Goal?

It would be best if you used the SMART goal framework to set goals for improving critical thinking. SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.

Let’s discuss each SMART component for critical thinking:

The more specific your goals, the higher your chance of reaching them. If you only create vague goals, you lose out on opportunities for success.

For instance, suppose your goal is to boost critical thinking. Although this is a worthy goal, it isn’t precise enough. How will you go about improving your critical thinking skills? Why is critical thinking necessary to you in the first place?

Specificity will ensure you are on the right path to goal attainment. You will have a better structure and plan to arrive at your destination.

The importance of creating measurable goals can’t be understated. You must have a metric to track progress regularly. That way, you’ll clearly understand how close you are to goal completion.

If your critical thinking goals involve reading more books on the topic, you could make them quantifiable. For example, you could “read four books on critical thinking until three months later.” Since you know the exact amount of books you must read, you can pace yourself more effectively.

When developing goals for critical thinking skills, you must be realistic. For example, if you want to enhance your ability to learn new information, you can’t expect to do so in a few days. You must stay dedicated and have a long enough timeline to tackle this goal.

Consider the “why” when creating goals for yourself. Using the previous example, boosting your learning ability could be a means to get better grades in school or excel in the workplace.

Making sure all your goals are relevant will encourage you to stay motivated throughout the process. Ask yourself, “ Does this goal align with my values and interests?” If the answer is yes, then you’ll have a much easier time sparking inspiration.

It would help if you had a timeline to aid you in turning goals into reality . Adding an end date for your critical thinking goals will hold you accountable for making progress.

Otherwise, you may procrastinate and abandon the race to success altogether. That would be an unfortunate turn of events, so ensure you have an exact target end date.

Why Are SMART Goals Important for Critical Thinking?

Thinking critically is an essential skill in any part of life. Whether you’re trying to solve a complex problem at work, deciding your finances, or even just hoping to understand the news, critical thinking will help you make rational judgments.

That’s why setting SMART goals is instrumental in upgrading your critical thinking. SMART goals can force you to think critically about your options and make decisions that align with your objectives.

Regardless if you’re trying to enhance your critical thinking skills for work or your personal life, SMART goals can be a true lifesaver.

9 SMART Goals Examples for Critical Thinking

Let’s take a look at several SMART goals examples to improve your critical thinking skills:

1. Be an Active and Engaged Learner

“In the next 6 months, I want to improve my ability to actively and deeply engage with new information. I will read for 20 minutes daily and reflect on what I’ve read.”

Specific: The individual wants to become an active and engaged learner.

Measurable: You will read for 20 minutes every day and reflect on what you’ve read.

Attainable: This is an achievable goal because it is specific and measurable.

Relevant: The goal is appropriate because learning is integral to thinking critically.

Time-based: This goal is time-bound because it has an end date of 6 months.

2. Develop a Growth Mindset

“By the end of two weeks, I want to develop a growth mindset. I will read one book on the power of mindset and complete all the exercises. And for the cherry on top, I’ll seek a mentor to help me develop my growth mindset.”

Specific: The goal is to develop a growth mindset by reading books and completing exercises on the topic.

Measurable: The person will ensure they read at least one book on the topic and find a mentor.

Attainable: This can be developed with time and directed effort.

Relevant: A growth mindset benefits anyone looking to expand their thinking capabilities.

Time-based: You will develop a growth mindset within two weeks.

3. Be Aware of Your Biases

“I’ll strive to be more aware of my personal biases and preconceptions. For one month, I will read one article or book each week on bias and write down my thoughts in a journal. I will also speak to three people from different perspectives about an issue I feel strongly about.”

Specific: There are actionable steps to becoming more aware of your biases, such as reading about biases and talking to people with unique perspectives.

Measurable: You can check your progress by tracking how often you read about bias and talk to others with different perspectives.

Attainable: This goal is reachable with intentional effort.

Relevant: Recognizing your personal biases is crucial to drawing rational conclusions.

Time-based: You should complete this goal in the next month .

4. Examine Evidence and Arguments

“For 5 months, I will increase my ability to examine evidence and arguments. I’ll do this by attending two workshops and reading 5 articles and books on the subject. Furthermore, I will discuss with my mentor how to examine evidence and arguments.”

Specific: This SMART statement clearly defines what the individual wants to achieve.

Measurable: The individual will know they are making progress when they attend the workshops, read the articles and books, and talk to their mentor.

Attainable: This goal is achievable as long as the individual is willing to commit the time and effort.

Relevant: This is relevant to the individual’s life as it will help them develop a critical thinking skill that is useful in many day-to-day situations.

Time-based: The goal should be reached within 5 months.

5. Question Assumptions

“I’ll start questioning my assumptions more, especially when making decisions for three months. I will do this by setting aside 10 minutes at the start of every day to reflect on my assumptions, and I’ll question assumptions that others make during conversations.”

Specific: The goal states the objective, what will be done to achieve it, and the timeline.

Measurable: You could keep track of the number of times you question assumptions in a day or week.

Attainable: This goal is possible because it is realistic to question assumptions more.

Relevant: This is pertinent to critical thinking because it helps you reflect on your assumptions and biases.

Time-based: The specific timeline for this goal is three months. It could also be something that you work on every day.

6. Consider Different Viewpoints

“I will consider different points of view when making decisions for the next two months. I will try to see things from the perspective of others, even if I disagree with them.”

Specific: The goal is clear and concise, stating precisely the objective.

Measurable: This can be measured by observing the decision-making process and determining whether or not different viewpoints were considered.

Attainable: This goal can be met by changing how you approach decision-making.

Relevant: This is relevant to critical thinking because it requires you to think from different perspectives.

Time-based: There is a two-month timeline for meeting this particular goal.

7. Reflect on Your Beliefs and Values

“I will spend 30 minutes each week reflecting on my beliefs and values for a month. I want to be able to articulate why I hold the beliefs that I do and how my values guide my thinking process.”

Specific: There is a set time for reflection and a focus on both beliefs and values.

Measurable: You’ll reflect on your beliefs and values for 30 minutes each week.

Attainable: The statement is achievable with regular reflection.

Relevant: Understanding your own beliefs and values will help you think more objectively.

Time-based: You should complete this goal within the next month.

8. Be Persistent in the Search for Truth

“I will never accept something as true just because it is convenient or popular. I’ll never rush when dealing with complex problems. I will take at least 10 minutes to consider all sides of the issue and gather as much information as possible before making a judgment.”

Specific: There are particular actions to being persistent in your search for truth, such as taking 10 minutes to consider all sides of the issue and gathering information.

Measurable: Ensure you are taking the time to consider all sides of an issue before making a judgment.

Attainable: This goal is doable with intentional effort.

Relevant: Persisting in your search for truth will support rational thinking.

Time-based: This is a recurring SMART goal to pursue every single day.

9. Set Learning Objectives

“In the next month, I want to learn more about data analysis to make informed decisions in my work. I will do this by taking an online course on data analysis and reading two books on the subject. Lastly, I’ll chat with my boss and colleagues about data analysis and how it can be used in our work.”

Specific: You want to learn more about data analysis to improve your work decisions.

Measurable: The goal is measurable because it includes taking an online course and reading two books on the subject.

Attainable: This is feasible because you are taking active steps to learn about data analysis.

Relevant: This is pertinent to the individual because data analysis can foster critical thinking in their work.

Time-based: The goal is time-bound since it has a one-month timeline.

Final Thoughts

Creating SMART goals is necessary in order to boost your critical thinking. Although other goal techniques like visualization could lend a helping hand, you should still take advantage of the SMART framework.

SMART goals are a powerful tool in your arsenal, and it would certainly be a waste not to apply them in your daily life.

In any case, don’t be shy to apply the 9 SMART goals examples for efficient critical thinking. You will surely be steps closer to succeeding in all areas.

IMAGES

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SMART Goals for Nursing
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COMMENTS

25+ Examples of SMART Goals for Nurses
25+ Examples of SMART Goals for Nurses
SMART Goals for Nursing
SMART goals are: Specific - clear, unambiguous, and well defined. Measurable - has a criterion that helps you measure your progress. Attainable - beyond reach and not impossible to achieve. Relevant - realistic and has relevance to your life or career. Time-Bound - well defined time, has a starting date and an ending date.
17 Awesome Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing Students
Boost your nursing studies with examples of SMART Goals for Nursing Students. Learn to craft goals to set you up for success in academic and clinical practice. ... For that reason, it is even more critical for students to set SMART goals because these can help them focus on what is most relevant and meaningful when trying to achieve success in ...
15 Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing Students
15 Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing Students
SMART Goals for Nursing: 5 Steps to Success
This type of thinking can help you better manage your time, and it can also help you identify the steps that you need to take to reach a particular goal. ... More Resources for SMART Goals for Nursing. What Is Critical Thinking in Nursing; Goals for Nursing Evaluations; Tips For New Preceptors - SMART goals are incredibly important when ...
How to Set SMART Goals in Nursing + Examples
Long term goal: Patient will have improved skin. Smart goal: The patient's pressure ulcer will decrease from a stage 3 to a stage 1 by increasing diet in protein and by adhering to a strict turning schedule over the next 2 months. 3. Short term goal: Patient will have less pain.
12 SMART Goals Examples for Nursing Students
Below you'll find 12 examples of SMART goals for nursing students: 1. Improve Critical Thinking Skills. SMART Goal: "I plan to hone my critical thinking skills by the end of 6 months. To do so, I'll read at least one book monthly on the topic and attend seminars or conferences focusing on critical thinking. I will also use online ...
How Nurses Can Set SMART Goals
How Nurses Can Set SMART Goals
15 SMART Goals Examples for Your Nursing Career
A: This goal is attainable, and it's a win-win for you as a nurse and your patients. R: This is a highly relevant goal in anyone's nursing career. T: After three months, you'll see a difference in how you communicate with your patients. 6. Stress Less. To combat stress at work, I will practice stress management.
43.2 Developing Critical Thinking
In nursing, critical thinking is a broad term that includes reasoning about clinical issues such as ... goals of care for the patient and determines that wound care to prevent infection spread and sepsis is the priority goal at this time. Thinking in Action. Thinking in action encompasses the thought processes occurring while the nurse is ...
Critical Thinking in Nursing: Developing Effective Skills
Critical Thinking in Nursing: Developing Effective Skills | ANA
Tips for Using SMART Goals in Nursing
Avoid setting overly challenging goals; self-discipline is like a muscle — it grows as you train it. Start with a smaller goal, achieve it, and then, as you build up your self-discipline skills, aim higher. 4. R — Relevant. Make sure your goals match up with your long-term life and career plans.
10 Practical SMART Goals Examples in Nursing
SMART Goals Example in Nursing - 03. General Goal: Strengthen Critical Thinking in Emergency Situations. Specific (S): Participate in simulation exercises and case reviews to enhance critical thinking skills in emergency scenarios. Measurable (M): Successfully manage at least three simulated emergency cases with improved decision-making.
8.7: Critical Thinking, Clinical Judgment and the Nursing Profession
Key elements of critical thinking in nursing include: Clinical judgment: Prioritizing patient needs, interpreting data, and anticipating complications. ... Clinical decision making is focused on choosing the best action to meet specific patient needs and goals. It aims to provide safe, effective, and patient-centered care. Nurses engage in ...
Effective Elucidation of Nursing SMART Goals With Examples
5. Make your goals time-bound. Time is a really crucial aspect of the healthcare industry. If as a nurse, you are able to do things on time, then only you will be able to succeed in saving the lives of people. Hence, the last yet critical stage of setting your SMART nursing goal is designating a time frame.
SMART Goals in Nursing (With Definition, Steps, and Examples)
SMART Goals in Nursing (With Definition, Steps, and ...
SMART Goals in Nursing
The SMART acronym is a helpful way to develop solid and reasonable nursing goals. According to this strategy, a good "SMART" goal must be: Specific. Measurable. Achievable. Realistic. Time-Bound. Below, we'll walk you through what's involved in each layer of the goal-setting process and give you examples that meet the SMART criteria.
What is Critical Thinking in Nursing? (With Examples, Importance, & How
What is Critical Thinking in Nursing? (With Examples, ...
How to Set Nursing SMART Goals
How To Set SMART Nursing Goals. The best way to begin setting SMART nursing goals is to look at the bigger career picture. Think of where you want to be in 10 years and determine what you need to accomplish to get there. Break those goals down into smaller, five-year goals and then again into one-year goals.
10 Best SMART Short-Term Nursing Career Goals Examples + Tips To
SMART GOAL #7: Attend a Nursing Conference/Convention About the Goal: Nursing conventions and conferences offer several benefits to nurses. I have been a nurse for more than 25 years, and I still attend conferences. ... Some strategies for improving your assessment skills include engaging in activities that promote critical thinking, such as ...
10 Best Examples Of SMART Goals For Nursing Students During Preceptorship
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.
How to Set SMART Goals in Nursing
5. Goals Keep You Accountable and Give Feedback. How to Write a SMART goal in Nursing Profession. #1. SPECIFIC. SMART Nursing Goals Example (lousy goal setting example): SMART Nursing Goals Example (better goal setting example): #2. MEASURABLE.
Critical Thinking: The Development of an Essential Skill for Nursing
Critical thinking is applied by nurses in the process of solving problems of patients and decision-making process with creativity to enhance the effect. It is an essential process for a safe, efficient and skillful nursing intervention. Critical thinking according to Scriven and Paul is the mental active process and subtle perception, analysis ...
9 SMART Goals Examples for Developing Critical Thinking
Attainable: This goal can be met by changing how you approach decision-making. Relevant: This is relevant to critical thinking because it requires you to think from different perspectives. Time-based: There is a two-month timeline for meeting this particular goal. 7. Reflect on Your Beliefs and Values.

SMART Goals for Nursing With Clear Examples

Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing

#2 Patient Care

#3 Efficiency

#4 Accuracy

#5 Professional Development

Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing Students

Examples of SMART Goals for Nurse Practitioners

Examples of SMART Goals for Nurse Practitioner Students

Examples of SMART Goals for Nurse Managers

Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing Care Plans

More Tips for Creating SMART Goals

The Art of Setting SMART Goals

Conclusion: SMART Goals for Nursing

17 Awesome Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing Students

Table of Contents

Bringing It All Together

17 Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing Students

Patient Care

Community Outreach/Education

Leadership/Management

Professional Development/Knowledge

Nursing Career Related

Workplace Efficiency

Write Your SMART Goals Down!

10 Bonus Examples of SMART Goals for Nursing Students

Final Thoughts on SMART Goals for Nursing Students:

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How to Set SMART Goals in Nursing + Examples

Table of Contents

How to Set SMART Goals

1. Specific

2. Measurable

3. Attainable

4. Realistic

5. Time-Bound

15 Smart Goals Examples for Nurses & Nursing Students

Patient Care SMART Goals

Professional Development SMART Goals

Nursing School SMART Goals

Workplace Efficiency SMART Goals

Other SMART Goal Tips

2. Keep track.

3. Celebrate micro-wins.

4. Focus on your own goals, not other people’s.

5. Remember what motivates you.

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2. Improve Time Management

3. Be More Accurate

4. Develop Professionally

5. Explain Things to Patients

6. Stress Less

7. Stay Healthy

8. Be More Compassionate

9. Avoid Burnout

10. Uplevel My Skillset

11. Be a Team Player

12. Improve Workflow

13. Ace Nursing Job Interviews

14. Be More Thorough

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