SMART Goals

In my nursing studies,  I aim to enhance my communication skills with patients and healthcare team members, including fellow students and staff. To achieve this, I will initiate meaningful conversations with patients during each clinical day and reflect on these interactions by noting my observations and patient responses in a journal for three weeks. I will use specific communication techniques learned this semester, such as active listening, open-ended questions, and empathy. Additionally, I will seek additional resources, such as videos on YouTube and advice from experienced nurses. Effective communication is crucial for patient care and teamwork within healthcare settings, and I plan to achieve this goal within the first three weeks of the clinical rotation. To measure how well I communicate, I will evaluate the depth and quality of patient responses, get feedback from patients and healthcare team members, and reflect on my ability to build positive relationships, which will help me address patient concerns.

Additionally, I want to become more confident in basic nursing tasks like bathing patients, taking their vitals, and providing bedside care. To achieve this, I will thoroughly prepare before clinical sessions, reflect on my performance afterward, and practice at home and with classmates. I will measure my progress by tracking the frequency and quality of practice sessions, logging feedback from instructors and peers, and maintaining a journal where I rate my confidence level in each skill on a scale of 1-10 after each practice session. I will also collect feedback from patients and peers regarding my competency and bedside manner. By being well-prepared for each clinical session and actively seeking feedback from instructors, peers, and patients, I aim to gain confidence and comfort in these skills. Success will be defined as consistently receiving positive feedback and feeling at least an 8/10 in my self-assessments. This goal is essential for delivering effective and safe patient care, and I plan to achieve it by April 6th, 2025.