My Smart Goals

SMART Goal #1: I will engage in self-reflection after each clinical shift to enhance my nursing practice, focusing on identifying strengths and areas for improvement. Every week, I will dedicate 30 minutes at the end of my clinical rotation to reflect on one experience, record it in my notebook, and note an associated skill or area for growth. By doing so, I aim to reinforce a habit of continuous learning and competence enhancement, which aligns with providing high-quality nursing care and meeting current best practice guidelines. To ensure consistency, I will review my reflections monthly, identifying common themes in areas needing improvement and establishing specific learning objectives based on these insights. This practice supports my adherence to the Quality Assurance Program requirements and the CNO Professional Standards outlined in the CNO Code of Conduct (Principle 6.9), which emphasizes self-reflection, ongoing learning, and competence improvement (Standards & Guidelines, 2021b). I will achieve this goal four weeks after starting my first clinical placement 2001 in semester three.

SMART Goal #2: To maintain my physical and mental well-being while balancing my part-time nursing job, full-time studies at Trent University, and clinical responsibilities, I will implement a self-care routine that includes at least 30 minutes of physical activity or time spent outdoors (such as walking, yoga, meditation or stretching) three times a week. Additionally, I will schedule at least 2 hour of personal downtime each weekend, where I will disconnect from school, social media, work responsibilities to relax or engage in a hobby I enjoy. I will track my self-care activities weekly to ensure consistency and adjust my routine if needed. At the end of each month, I will assess how well I’ve managed my self-care alongside my professional and academic obligations. This goal will help me sustain my energy, prevent burnout, and maintain my focus on both academic and clinical performance. This goal is essential because to provide the best care for others, we must first care of ourselves. I view this goal as a long term goal because it is something I need to focus on throughout my entire nursing career.  I will achieve this goal by the end of 2001 community placement in semester three.