20 SMART Goals for Nurses

Nursing is one of the most rewarding careers you can choose. But it can also be challenging to grow in your nursing career without clear direction. Setting goals helps you stay focused on what matters most to you. As a nurse, having goals that are specific and achievable can make all the difference in your professional growth.

That’s why SMART goals work so well for nurses. They give you a clear path forward. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These five parts make sure your goals are clear and you can track your progress. Let’s look at 20 SMART goals that can help you become the best nurse you can be.

SMART Goals for Nurses

These goals will help you improve your skills, advance your career, and take better care of both your patients and yourself. Each one follows the SMART formula to make sure you can actually achieve what you set out to do.

1. Complete One Continuing Education Course Each Quarter

Ongoing learning is a key part of nursing. New treatments and best practices come out all the time. By taking one course every three months, you keep your knowledge fresh and show your dedication to your field.

Setting aside just a few hours each week for learning can make this goal easy to reach. Many hospitals offer free courses, and there are lots of online options too. The regular schedule makes it a habit rather than a chore.

“I will complete one continuing education course every three months this year, spending at least two hours each week on coursework. I’ll choose topics that directly relate to my daily work and keep a log of what I learn from each course.”

2. Master Three New Clinical Skills This Year

As a nurse, your hands-on skills are your greatest asset. Picking three new skills to learn this year gives you a clear target without being too much at once.

You might choose skills like placing IVs in difficult cases, working with new monitoring equipment, or learning advanced wound care. Ask your manager or a mentor nurse to help you practice and give feedback until you feel confident.

“I will master three new clinical skills by December 31st. I’ll practice each skill at least twice weekly until I can perform it correctly ten times in a row. I’ll ask my charge nurse to verify my competency when I feel ready.”

3. Reduce Documentation Time by 15% Within Six Months

Paperwork takes up too much of your time as a nurse. By cutting down on how long it takes, you can spend more time with patients. A 15% reduction is enough to make a real difference but still realistic to achieve.

Start by timing how long documentation takes now. Then look for shortcuts in your electronic system, create templates for common notes, and set aside specific times for charting instead of leaving it all for the end of your shift.

“I will reduce my documentation time by 15% over the next six months. I’ll track my starting time and find at least three ways to be more efficient. By the end date, I’ll be able to spend that saved time directly helping my patients instead.”

4. Achieve Perfect Medication Administration Record for Three Months

Medication errors can harm patients, so having a perfect record is something to aim for. Three months gives you enough time to prove it’s not just luck but good practice.

Double-check each medication against the five rights: right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time. Use the barcode system every time, even when things get busy. Keep a personal tally of your record.

“I will maintain an error-free medication administration record for three consecutive months. I will use all safety protocols without exception and document any near-misses to learn from them. This will help ensure my patients receive the safest care possible.”

5. Build Relationships with Five Doctors in the Next Four Months

Good working relationships with doctors makes your job easier and improves patient care. Five doctors is a reasonable number to focus on, and four months gives you time to build real connections.

Introduce yourself properly at the start of shifts. Ask thoughtful questions about their orders when appropriate. Be ready with complete information when they ask about patients. Small, consistent efforts build trust over time.

“I will develop positive working relationships with five physicians in the next four months. I’ll make sure they know my name, actively participate in rounds, and show that I’m a reliable team member by being prepared with patient information when they need it.”

6. Decrease Your Patient’s Average Pain Scores by 1 Point in 90 Days

Pain management is a critical nursing skill. A one-point improvement on the pain scale is meaningful to patients but also realistic to achieve with good care.

Learn more about pain assessment and different pain control methods. Check on your patients’ pain more often. Work with doctors to adjust medication plans when needed. Keep records of what works for different types of pain.

“I will help my patients achieve lower pain scores by improving my pain management skills over the next 90 days. I’ll track their average scores at the start and end of my shift, implementing at least three new pain relief methods beyond medication.”

7. Take on One Leadership Role Within Your Unit in the Next Six Months

Leadership experience helps you grow professionally even if you don’t want to be a manager. One role is enough to learn from without being overwhelming.

You could volunteer to be a preceptor for new nurses, lead a quality improvement project, or become the unit’s champion for a new protocol. Talk to your manager about what opportunities exist and which would be a good fit for you.

“I will take on one defined leadership position in my unit within the next six months. I’ll meet with my manager by next week to discuss options, complete any required training, and commit to this role for at least six months to gain meaningful experience.”

8. Create a Self-Care Plan and Follow It for 30 Days Straight

Nurse burnout is real, and self-care prevents it. Thirty days is long enough to form habits but short enough to feel achievable.

Write down specific self-care activities that work for you: maybe it’s a 10-minute walk outside during breaks, bringing healthy meals to work, or doing five minutes of deep breathing before each shift. Track your adherence daily.

“I will create a personal self-care plan with three daily activities by this weekend and follow it for 30 consecutive days. I’ll keep a simple journal to track my progress and note how my stress levels and job satisfaction change over this time.”

9. Improve Your Patient Satisfaction Scores by 10% in Six Months

Happy patients means you’re doing well as a nurse. A 10% increase is big enough to be meaningful but still within reach with focused effort.

Find out your current scores and what areas need work. Maybe it’s communication, pain control, or response time. Make specific changes to address these issues, like sitting down when talking to patients or explaining procedures more clearly.

“I will raise my patient satisfaction scores by 10% over the next six months. I’ll review my current feedback by next week, implement three specific improvement strategies, and check my progress monthly to adjust my approach as needed.”

10. Precept Two New Nurses Successfully in the Coming Year

Helping new nurses succeed passes on your knowledge and strengthens your unit. Two new nurses is a reasonable number that won’t overwhelm you.

Develop a clear plan for their orientation. Set weekly goals for their progress. Give regular feedback—both positive and constructive. Ask for feedback from them too so you can improve as a preceptor.

“I will effectively precept two new graduate nurses in the next 12 months, helping them become fully independent within their standard orientation period. I’ll create a weekly goals checklist for each nurse and meet with them daily for questions and feedback.”

11. Reduce Your Stress Level from 7/10 to 4/10 in Three Months

High stress affects your health and your nursing care. Setting a specific number gives you a clear target to work toward.

Rate your stress level daily on a scale of 1-10. Identify your biggest stress triggers at work. Find three stress-reduction techniques that work for you, like deep breathing, short walks, or positive self-talk. Practice them consistently.

“I will reduce my average daily stress rating from 7 out of 10 to 4 out of 10 over the next three months. I’ll track my levels daily, practice my three chosen stress-reduction techniques before and during each shift, and adjust my strategies based on what works best.”

12. Read One Evidence-Based Nursing Article Each Week for Six Months

Staying current with research improves your practice. One article per week is doable even with a busy schedule, and six months makes it a solid habit.

Subscribe to nursing journals or use your hospital’s library access. Set aside 30 minutes each week, maybe during lunch one day. Take brief notes on key points and think about how you could apply them to your work.

“I will read and take notes on one evidence-based nursing article each week for the next six months. I’ll keep an article log with the main points and at least one way I can apply that knowledge to my nursing practice that same week.”

13. Decrease Your Average Response Time to Call Lights by 2 Minutes Within 60 Days

Quick response to patients shows you care and prevents problems from getting worse. Two minutes is a meaningful improvement that patients will notice.

Time how long it typically takes you to answer call lights now. Look for ways to be more efficient, like finishing tasks in one room before starting something new, or asking colleagues to help cover when you’re tied up.

“I will reduce my average call light response time by 2 minutes over the next 60 days. I’ll time my current responses for one week to establish a baseline, implement three strategies to improve my availability, and track my progress weekly.”

14. Learn Basic Phrases in Two Languages Common Among Your Patients by Year-End

Communication with patients who speak other languages improves their care and comfort. Learning basics in two languages is challenging but achievable.

Find out which languages are most common where you work. Learn 10-15 key phrases in each, like “Are you in pain?” or “I need to take your blood pressure.” Practice with language apps or with bilingual colleagues.

“I will learn and correctly use 15 common nursing phrases in both Spanish and Vietnamese by December 31st. I’ll learn one new phrase each week, practice daily with a language app, and use each new phrase with at least one patient before moving on to the next.”

15. Reduce Your Sick Days by 50% in the Coming Year

Taking fewer sick days means you’re healthier and your team can count on you. A 50% reduction is significant but possible with better health habits.

Track how many sick days you’ve used in the past year. Identify patterns—are they due to stress, lack of sleep, or exposure to illness? Implement specific preventive measures like better hand washing, getting enough sleep, and keeping up with vaccinations.

“I will cut my sick days in half over the next 12 months by implementing five specific health protection strategies. I’ll track my progress quarterly, get a flu shot by October, and maintain a regular sleep schedule with at least 7 hours of sleep each night.”

16. Complete Your BSN Degree Within Two Years

Advancing your education opens new career paths and deepens your nursing knowledge. Two years is a reasonable timeframe for a BSN program while working.

Research programs that offer schedules compatible with your work hours. Map out when you’ll take each required course. Set aside specific study times each week. Look into whether your employer offers tuition assistance.

“I will earn my Bachelor of Science in Nursing within 24 months by taking two courses each semester. I’ll apply to an online program by next month, create a study schedule of 10 hours weekly, and maintain at least a B average throughout the program.”

17. Join One Professional Nursing Organization and Attend Three Events This Year

Professional connections help your career growth. One organization keeps it focused, and three events ensures you actually participate.

Research organizations relevant to your specialty. Compare membership benefits and costs. Once you join, put the events on your calendar right away so you’ll plan around them. Set a goal to talk to at least three new people at each event.

“I will join the American Association of Critical Care Nurses by the end of this month and attend three of their professional events this year. At each event, I’ll introduce myself to at least three new colleagues and follow up with one valuable contact afterward.”

18. Implement Two New Safety Protocols on Your Unit Within Nine Months

Taking the lead on safety improvements protects patients and shows your leadership. Two protocols is enough to make an impact without being overwhelming.

Identify safety gaps on your unit by reviewing incident reports or near-misses. Research best practices to address these issues. Present your ideas to your manager with clear implementation steps. Get feedback from colleagues to improve your plans.

“I will research, develop, and implement two new evidence-based safety protocols on my unit in the next nine months. I’ll identify the highest-risk areas by next month, create written protocols with clear steps, and train at least 90% of my colleagues on these new procedures.”

19. Obtain One Nursing Specialty Certification in the Next 12 Months

Certification proves your expertise and can lead to better job opportunities. One year gives you enough time to prepare properly.

Choose a certification relevant to your current role or future goals. Get the exam blueprint to understand what you need to study. Create a study schedule working backward from your target exam date. Find a study buddy or group for motivation.

“I will earn my Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification within the next 12 months. I’ll register for the exam by next month, study for at least 5 hours weekly using the official preparation materials, and take at least 3 practice tests before the actual exam.”

20. Improve Work-Life Balance by Leaving Work On Time 90% of the Time for Three Months

Nursing often means staying late, but better boundaries make you healthier and more effective. Ninety percent allows for occasional emergencies while still being a high standard.

Track what keeps you late most often. Improve your time management during your shift. Learn to give a proper handoff report efficiently. Practice saying no to last-minute non-urgent requests when your shift is ending.

“I will clock out within 15 minutes of my scheduled end time for at least 90% of my shifts over the next three months. I’ll identify what typically delays me, implement three time-management strategies, and keep a log of my success rate to ensure I’m meeting this goal.”

Wrapping Up

Setting SMART goals puts you in control of your nursing career. These 20 examples show how you can improve in many different areas: your clinical skills, your education, your leadership abilities, and even your personal well-being. The key is to pick goals that matter to you and that will make a real difference in your work.

Start small with just one or two goals that feel most important right now. Write them down. Tell a friend or colleague who can check in with you. Then take that first step, no matter how small. Your future nursing self will thank you for the growth and satisfaction that comes from achieving your SMART goals.

As you achieve each goal, take time to celebrate your success before setting new ones. This journey of growth makes nursing not just a job but a fulfilling career that gets better year after year.