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15 Examples of Nursing Career Goals and How To Reach Them

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career goals essay sample nursing

Nurses are more in demand than ever before, making the nursing profession rich with opportunities. You may be wondering, “Why is nursing a good career?” With most nursing roles projected to grow from 2020 to 2030 , there’s never been a better time to be a nurse. But with so much job growth potential comes competition, which makes it important to consistently invest in yourself and your skills.

Any sort of professional development needs clearly determined professional goals in order to be effective. Your professional goals should always be SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. Here we’ll share 15 nursing career goals to consider for yourself and tips on how to achieve them.

Why Are Goals Important for Your Nursing Career?

Setting long-term goals will help you advance in your career as a nurse. Accomplishing these goals will increase your personal and professional satisfaction and will also combat burnout. Setting goals for your nursing career can help you:

  • Constantly develop skills
  • Improve earning potential
  • Feel fulfilled

15 Nursing Career Goals

1. manage advanced technologies..

There is only one constant with medical technology: it’s always evolving. Nurses working in medical facilities often use technology, like portable patient monitors or telehealth services , to create, access, or update patient files. Learning how to use these healthcare technologies—however daunting it may seem—can benefit your career.

Stay up to date with changing tech in the medical field by doing the following:

  • Read free blogs for nurses
  • Subscribe to magazines and journals for nurses
  • Download apps for nurses
  • Join professional organizations for nurses

2. Get nursing certifications.

Nursing certifications are helpful in all stages of your nursing career, whether you’re new to the workforce or looking for advancement. Gain a competitive leg up on other candidates by earning a certificate in an area you’re particularly interested in, such as first aid, clinical research skills, pediatrics, oncology, or neonatology.

3. Find a mentor.

Mentors can be extremely useful when planning your professional development. They can help you set goals, make difficult decisions, shape your professional values, and grow in your career. While some medical facilities have formal internal mentorship programs for nurses, you could simply seek out an informal mentor by asking a nurse you admire out for coffee. A good mentor can provide context on the wider nursing industry, share insight into their personal experience and lessons learned, and introduce you to new nurse connections.

4. Advance your nursing degree.

Advancing your nursing degree can boost your résumé, increase job security, and help you make more money. If you already have an associate degree in nursing, consider working towards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). If you already have a bachelor's degree and would like to take on a leadership position in nursing administration and management, consider earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) specializing in leadership.

5. Start volunteering.

There is a constant and high demand for nurses to volunteer their time at clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities in underserved communities, both in the United States and abroad. Internationally there is an even greater need and appreciation for volunteer nurses in developing countries. Both nursing students and registered nurses are often eligible for these types of programs. Providing volunteer assistance can be a very rewarding experience that can’t be replicated in a classroom or textbook.

6. Specialize in a particular nursing field.

While nurses are often “Jacks/Janes of all trades,” it’s wise to become a master of one. Maybe you entered the nursing field because of a particular personal experience that resonated with you, such as losing a family member to cancer. Or maybe you’re a couple of years into your career as a registered nurse and have realized you’re passionate about working with children. Either way, there are many different specialization roads nurses can walk down in their career path.

Consider the following types of medicine to specialize in:

  • Ambulatory care
  • Cardiovascular (care for patients with heart and blood issues)
  • Dialysis (the removal of waste from a patient's kidneys)
  • Gastroenterology
  • Geriatrics (care for elderly adults)
  • Holistic care
  • Infection control and prevention
  • Medical-surgical
  • Neonatal (care for newborns)
  • Neuroscience
  • Obstetrics (care for pregnant women and new mothers)
  • Oncology (care for patients with tumors)
  • Orthopedics (care for patients with bone and muscle issues)
  • Pediatrics or children's healthcare
  • Psychiatric or mental health care

7. Take care of yourself.

Nurses who practice self-care can ultimately perform their duties more efficiently and provide better care for their patients. Self-care is much more than a bubble bath on Sundays. It’s multiple deliberate activities all humans should do for mental and physical well-being. While self-care is important for all, it’s especially important for nurses whose main job is caring for others. You must keep your tank filled up so that you can provide better nursing care.

Examples of self-care include:

  • Mental: Meditate, journal, see a therapist, and practice positive visualization.
  • Physical: Eat quality foods, maintain a healthy weight, stretch daily, walk or stand more, and sit less.

8. Improve efficiency.

Becoming more efficient in your day-to-day nursing job tasks helps create balance when juggling multiple responsibilities. Efficiently completing tasks in a timely manner can create space for more responsibilities and career growth.

Here are some strategies that nurses can practice to improve efficiency:

  • Intention-setting: In the morning or the night before your workday, take a few minutes to write down or speak out loud your intentions for the day. What goals do you have? What tasks will you accomplish? What habits will you practice?
  • Organization: Plan your day—including breaks—in whatever way works for you (Google Calendar, physical planner, etc.).
  • Prioritization: With many tasks constantly vying for your attention, practice prioritizing the most important tasks first thing. Or, try structuring your day based on when you’re most productive and have the highest energy.

9. Improve communication skills.

Improving your communication skills is so important for career growth for nurses. Strong communication skills can boost health outcomes for patients and enhance relationships with co-workers, patients, and families. Good communication skills for nurses go beyond written and verbal communication. Nurses who actively listen are better able to care for patients, take direction from doctors, and be part of a team.

Other aspects of effective communication include:

  • Patient education
  • Compassion/trust
  • Cultural awareness
  • Presentation skills

career goals essay sample nursing

10. Specialize in certain tasks.

Specializing in certain tasks is important for career growth as it improves productivity and accuracy. Most nurses have a broad scope of responsibilities and tasks that vary from patient to patient. But it’s never bad to be known for doing one particular task well.

Try earning a reputation for being exceptional for one of the following:

  • Administering medications and treatments to patients.
  • Collaborating within your team and across other teams on patient care.
  • Providing compassionate support to patients in need.
  • Operating medical equipment and technologies.
  • Educating your patients on managing their illness.

11. Maintain work-life balance.

Leading a balanced life can help you perform better as a nurse. It’s easy to fall into a workaholic trap and take your work home with you, but this will result in burnout. Make self-care a priority by keeping your physical and emotional needs a top priority, and don’t forget to have fun, too. For some selfless people (which many nurses are), making time for fun is actually a goal that can help you further your career. When you’re happy and healthy, it manifests as success in all areas of life.

12. Become an advocate.

A noble career goal for a nurse is to become a better advocate. Advocating can be for your patients, for new policies at work, or for practices you believe strongly in. Nurses can help advocate for patients by guiding them through the medical system and providing resources. For example, nurses can advocate for patients receiving chemotherapy with information on taking anti-nausea medication effectively. On a larger scale, you could become an advocate seeking to create systemic change by addressing health inequities and influencing health policy.

13. Become a mentor for others.

Mentoring another nurse that’s new in the field helps you become a better nurse. Nurse mentorship programs provide mutual professional growth through a supportive and ongoing relationship. As a mentor, you can help your mentee by offering emotional support, helping to chart a career path, and providing guidance on the day-to-day. Ultimately, helping another nurse will provide you with fulfillment in both your career and life.

14. Participate in workshops, in-services, or job shadowing.

If your workplace offers workshops, in-service classes, or job shadowing, you should take full advantage of those opportunities. Nursing is a dynamic profession that’s always changing, and nurses must adapt to new technology and policies faster than ever. These learning opportunities are usually free ways to expand your nursing industry knowledge and further enforce your commitment to your employer.

15. Learn on your own.

Outside of in-service classes and on-the-job shadowing offered by your employer, seeking out opportunities to learn on your own should be a constant nursing career goal. Courses, conferences, and webinars are all common sources for continuing education for nurses. You can also choose to continue your formal education by advancing your nursing degree.

Why Choose WGU?

With WGU’s accredited online nursing degrees you can continue working at your full-time job and maintain your family or personal responsibilities while pursuing your ideal nursing position through BSN or MSN degrees. WGU is flexible with your needs. You don't have to log in to classes and there aren't due dates. Learn more about our master’s degrees in nursing .

There are numerous opportunities that exist after getting a master’s degree in nursing. With an MSN, you could go on to become a:

  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
  • Nurse Administrator
  • Nurse Practitioner (NP)
  • Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
  • Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Informatics Nurse
  • Nurse Educator

As an MSN-educated nurse, your work in healthcare would change lives every day. After earning an MSN, you’ll have more opportunities to advance your healthcare career and impact patient care with a post-master’s certificate in nursing . You already have critical skills and knowledge that have brought you to an impactful career—now you can add additional specialty skills that will allow you to go further.

At WGU, there are two post-master’s certificate nursing programs that help master’s degree-holding nursing professionals advance in or diversify their career paths:

  • Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing–Education
  • Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing–Leadership and Management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

A bachelor’s degree in nursing through WGU is an online nursing degree program designed for working registered nurses who have an ADN or nursing diploma and need an RN-to-BSN degree program that’s flexible with their schedule. The program focuses on the areas of research, theory, leadership, community concepts, healthcare policy, therapeutic interventions, and current trends in healthcare. You’ll learn to improve patient outcomes and influence communities with your knowledge of evidence-based practice, patient safety, technology integration, and healthcare systems and policies.

What is a master’s degree in nursing?

If your vision of your professional future includes a role in nursing administration and management, a CCNE-accredited master’s degree in nursing (MSN) is a must. When you pursue this degree, you'll get clinical practice experiences such as real-time simulation using immersive virtual reality training. Nurse managers with a master's degree combine their technical nursing know-how with strong people skills, organizational prowess, and business knowledge to lead healthcare teams to success—success that transforms lives. You’ll also increase your earning power.

How much do RN nurses make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for registered nurses is $75,330 .

How much do BSN nurses make?

While the BLS doesn’t differentiate between nurses who’ve earned an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) versus those who’ve earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), according to Nurse.org , what degree you have does impact how much you can make. Amongst the ADN and BSN nurses polled, Nurse.org found that BSN nurses were earning, on average, $3.89 more per hour than ADNs.

How much do MSN nurses make?

According to the BLS, the median pay for master’s-educated nurses is $117,670 per year .

Ready to Start Your Journey?

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career goals essay sample nursing

How to write a Nursing Career Plan Essay (Plus Example)

career goals essay sample nursing

The nursing profession is an essential part of the healthcare system. It is the glue that holds the healthcare journey together. For this reason, any person aspiring to join this magnificent but challenging profession must acquire extensive knowledge, education, and the necessary skills before practicing as a nurse. But before entering nursing school , you must show the college reviewers that you are up for the task by writing a career plan essay.

A nursing career plan is an essential document that serves as a roadmap for aspiring nurses. It outlines the goals, aspirations, and strategies for professional development for students aspiring to be nurses. You must, therefore, clearly state why you are passionate about the profession.

In this comprehensive guide, we will define what a nursing career plan is and show you how to write one that articulates your vision,

What is a Nursing Career Plan?

A nursing career plan is an important document that ranges between 300- 500 words outlining your goals, dreams, aspirations, and experiences .

It is a necessary document required before being enrolled in a nursing program. Depending on the nursing college or university of choice, you will be asked to write a nursing career plan essay explaining why you should be given a chance to pursue the program and the value you will bring to the institution. It is part of an institution’s competitive application process. For this reason, you must know how to write one.

A career plan essay is essential to helping you figure out what you want at the end of the program. While it is easy to state your dreams and aspirations, putting them down on paper is something else.

What Does a Career Plan Include?

A nursing career plan outlines how you intend to use the nursing degree after school. So, the essay's primary focus should be your goals and the necessary information that distinguishes you from other applicants. Some additional information that you should consider adding to your career plan essay is:

  • Personal stories that show what drives you to pursue the career.
  • Short-term goals that highlight your plans and identify the steps you will take.
  • Long-term goals for your career- This could be academic and professional.
  • Desired nursing environment. The nursing environment showcases what type of environment you wish to work. This will help the admissions board make an informed decision about which nursing program is right for you.
  • Academic qualifications. Nursing schools require your educational qualifications.  
  • Skills and experiences. Add information about your skills and experiences that are relevant to the program.

Steps for Writing a Great Nursing Career Plan

Follow these steps to write an effective nursing career plan essay.

Plan Your Essay

Before writing a career plan essay, you need to develop a plan for writing the content. Start thinking about what you wish to include in the document. This could be things like your qualifications, what sets you apart, and why you are passionate about it. As you do this, you might also consider the following:

  • Who is your audience?
  • Why are you applying for the nursing program?
  • Key character traits that set you apart and make you ideal for nursing?
  • Why should the admissions board consider your application?
  • What kind of steps are you taking to achieve the goals?

Answering these questions will help you write an impactful nursing career plan essay.

What Your Motivation

Think about your motivations for choosing nursing as a career of choice. Consider what inspired your interest in a healthcare career. Is it a desire to help those around you? A personal experience that sparked your interest? Or your fascination with the healthcare industry. Keep in mind that nursing is a career that demands a lot from an individual. You may have to sacrifice a lot, including some relationships and personal time, to earn that degree. Your motivation will guide you through all the hurdles. Therefore, clearly state your reasons and how they align with your values and aspirations. By doing this in your essay, you will demonstrate to the recruiters that you are passionate and committed to the profession.

Define Your Goals

You must identify both short- and long-term goals for your nursing career, no matter how small you think they are. For instance, your short-term goals could be finishing assignments and submitting them on time, attending class early, gaining practical experience through clinical rotations, and procuring specific nursing certifications. On the other hand, long-term goals could be choosing a specialization, for instance, working in pediatrics, geriatrics, or critical care. Or maybe you wish to take up leadership roles or research opportunities? Define these goals clearly, ensuring they align with your passions and aspirations.

If you have no clue about your long-term goals. Consider conducting relevant research on nursing programs to comprehensively understand the different career paths, specialties, and available opportunities. Carefully explore the different roles and determine which areas align most with your interests and goals. Doing this will help you tailor your career plan essay and make an informed decision about the desired nursing path.

Please remember, as you set your goals, make sure they are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Goal setting is an effective way to monitor your progress in school and your profession.

Assess Your Skills and Knowledge

Conduct an honest self-assessment of your skills and knowledge to determine what you have to offer. Break down your skills into the following categories: knowledge-based skills, transferable skills, and soft skills.

  • Knowledge-based skills are those that you have acquired from your previous education or job experience.
  • Transferable skills can be incorporated into various roles, including leadership, communication, problem-solving, and analysis.
  • Soft skills involve personality. These traits include a positive work ethic, adaptability, and being a team player.

Ensure you identify areas where you excel and those that require further development. Once you have broken down your skills into the above categories, you will be able to identify the necessary steps to enhance them and fill any knowledge gaps. This will then ensure that you are well-prepared for a career in nursing.

Create a Timeline

You must show the admissions board that you have goals and aspirations and the commitment to achieving them. State all the strategies that you will use to accomplish these plans. This could involve furthering your education, attending healthcare conferences, participating in professional organizations related to nursing, and seeking mentorship from experienced nurses. Highlight any steps you plan to enhance your skills, knowledge, and expertise in your chosen nursing specialty.

Come up with a timeline that outlines your milestones and deadlines for achieving plans. This timeline will keep you focused and motivated throughout your education and nursing career. Please ensure that the timeline is realistic. Allow some flexibility for unexpected situations that could arise during this time.

Highlight Your Commitment to Patent Care

Since this is a nursing program, you must show the admissions board that you are committed to patient care; that's what the whole career is based on. Explain what values and ethical principles you will embrace during your practice. Additionally emphasize the importance of cultural sensitivity, advocating for patients’ rights and interest, and evidence-based care. Share relevant personal experiences or stories that prove your dedication to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.

Organize Your Work

Trying to figure out how to write a nursing career plan essay is challenging when your thoughts are disorganized. For this reason, you must create an outline highlighting all the points you will cover in the paper. An outline will also help you develop an excellent nursing career plan essay that impresses your target audience. It will also help you identify areas for improvement that add essential information to the essay.

A good outline must have the following:

  • An introduction - This is the first paragraph of your essay, which outlines why you are writing the career goal essay.
  • Body paragraphs -explain the main idea behind your essay. It must state your goals and how you intend to achieve them.
  • Conclusion - As the last paragraph of your essay, a conclusion should summarize what you have discussed throughout the essay.

Come up with a Great Title

Like all other academic essays, a nursing career plan must have a great title that accurately tells readers what you will discuss. Ensure the title suits the essay's purpose and highly resonates with your target audience. So, highlight qualities the admission board will likely appreciate, like professionalism and originality.

Consider writing the title after you are done writing the rest of the essay when you know what information to add that will capture the context of the paper.  

Write a Captivating Introduction

Now that you have everything you need to write a good nursing career plan essay, write a great introduction. A great introduction that grabs the readers' attention will go a long way in encouraging the admissions board to rest the paper. It tells them that it is not just an essay they are used to reading. Remember that these people go through thousands of career plan essays, so you must ensure you stand out.

After writing a good introduction, end with a thesis statement highlighting your motivation for choosing the nursing program. Remember that the essay aims to show your goals for the nursing program. So, apart from outlining the theme of the essay, it should also show your “why.”

Many students find the introduction the most challenging part of writing a career plan essay. So, you may have to consider writing it last if you want it to reflect everything you have talked about in the body part.

Write the Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs should mention all the essential details about your goals and ambitions. Explain why these goals are essential and why the nursing program means so much to you. Then, clarify all the actions you would take to achieve these goals.

Finish with a Great Conclusion

As with any academic essay, your conclusion must summarize everything you have discussed in the essay. Don’t add anything new; it will tell readers you have not cohesively written your essay. Mention the goals again and state why you wish to study the program in the particular school.

Tips for Writing a Nursing Career Goal Essay

Use these tips to help improve your nursing career goal essay.

Cite Your Sources

Ensure you cite everything that is not your own in the essay. This tells your readers you value and respect other authors by giving them credit for their work. It also demonstrates that you are well-versed with essay writing standards. Additionally, if you state that you have worked in a healthcare setting and acquired relevant nursing skills, provide evidence about your experience there.

Ensure you provide a list of references at the end of the paper. This will show that you have researched the work.

Use the Proper Structure

Since this is a formal document, it must follow the appropriate structure, especially if you are trying to get admission into a nursing school. So, ensure that you have structured it well, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. It should also meet all the requirements needed in a career plan and those that apply to a formal essay. If there is a specific structure that the institution wants you to use, make sure you follow it to the letter.

Use Your Unique Voice

Make sure you use your own unique and creative voice throughout the essay. Write about your aspirations and goals in a way that reflects your personality. Use a language that is easy to understand and fits your personality experience. Just because you are writing to an admission board does mean you should use complex vocabulary. Your writing should be communicated consistently throughout the essay. This will tell your target audience that you are taking the nursing career very seriously.

Sharing a little backstory about yourself is a great tip to show your personality. This could be a unique experience that shaped your desire for the nursing profession. Clearly explain why you chose this profession amongst others. Share any pivotal moment in your life that made you make this step.

Proofread Your Essay

Before you submit the nursing career plan essay, ensure that it has no errors. Follow the editing and proofreading tips to evaluate your essay for mechanical correctness. Proofread after you have finished writing.

Follow the Word Length Given 

You must follow all the instructions given, especially in word length. Going above the word count will distract from the intended message and tell your readers that you are not really keen on following instructions. So, check the word count periodically to ensure you stay on the limit.

Sample of a Nursing Career Plan Essay

Nursing is a great and noble career that provides more room for professional advancement ((Waddell et al., 2008). Nurses perform various functions in healthcare settings. They work with doctors, pharmacists, therapists, social workers, and other professionals to save lives and alleviate patients' suffering. I want to join the program and help those in need.  My long-term goal is to be a leader serving an entire health institute ward. However, I do understand that to get there, I must first have a solid academic foundation. For this reason, I wish to join a nursing program and become a registered nurse within four years. I understand nursing can be challenging, so I intend to work hard and work the required hours to finish my degree program.  I was drawn into the program because the career requires being close to another person to understand their needs. One has to be involved with a patient's key moments, including birth and death. I have had an opportunity to work closely with elderly people in a nursing home, which enabled me to acquire patient care skills, including helping patients maintain oral hygiene and take their medications. Action Steps  I must complete a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Nursing to attain the leadership role . During my studies, I intend to join an internship program to demonstrate the knowledge acquired in class and gain technical skills and experience. This experience will be sufficient when working in the Nation Health Service. For my short-term goals, I intend to improve my skills throughout my time in school continuously. I'll join various group discussions to improve my oral and presentation skills. Professional Development I intend to gain more skills and focus on my studies for the remaining two years of education. I will focus more on my weaknesses to ensure I become the best I can be, especially in mastering drugs and professional patient observation. Conclusion Nurses have a fundamental role to play in the hospital setting. This is why there is a need for constant professional improvement and new skills to ensure they are in a better position to care for their patients. Therefore, one must have a plan on how they intend to achieve these goals by doing a self-assessment to identify strengths and weaknesses and develop their career plans. References Waddell, J., Donner, G. J., & Wheeler, M. M. (2008). Building Your Nursing Career: A Guide for Students. Mosby.

The above sample is intended to give you a general idea of how to write a nursing career sample.

What to Avoid When Writing a Nursing Career Goal Essay

Your career goals essay should be as straightforward as possible. The following are some things you must avoid when writing the essay.

Weak Statements

Every word, phrase, and statement should be specific to your experience. For instance, a sentence like the following, I want to study nursing because it will allow me to get a well-paying job after graduation , doesn’t communicate why you are passionate about the profession. You must be specific about your goals and ambitions and clearly state your reasons for applying to the nursing school.

Talking About Finances

A career plan essay aims to show your short- and long-term goals about the nursing program. So, the admissions board wants to see your passion for the career in your essay. Sure, a career in nursing could be lucrative, but you don't have to show it in your essay. Focusing on fiancées shows that you are not focused on longevity in your career.

Starting Blandly

Don’t begin your essay with lackluster statements such as, ‘my career goal in nursing is…’ behind with a captivating story that is impactful to your career goal essay. Inject something exciting about your life by sharing an anecdote to set the stage for your career aspirations.

Failing to Connect Your Goals with the Nursing

Clearly state what drove you to choose the nursing program and why you want to pursue it as a career. Thus, share specific examples to demonstrate your motivation and clarify the goals for the program.

Final Word on Writing a Nursing Career Plan Essay

A nursing career plan essay is a vital document that you can use to showcase your goals and aspirations for a nursing career. Writing the essay is a proactive approach to professional success. While setting these goals is important, remember to be flexible and adaptable to navigate the ever-changing healthcare landscape.

At Nursemygrade.com , we understand that writing a nursing career plan essay is challenging, so we are ready to walk with you every step of the way. As experts in nursing assignments, our writers will write exemplary career plan essays that capture every required detail. Just place an order and let us help you.

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Nursing is a highly rewarding and noble career path that allows individuals to make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients and their families. It is a profession that requires a deep sense of compassion, dedication, and a sincere desire to help others. Pursuing a career in nursing is a significant decision that demands a clear understanding of one’s goals and aspirations. Writing a nursing career goal essay is a crucial step in the admission process for nursing programs, as it provides an opportunity for prospective students to articulate their motivations, aspirations, and vision for their future in the nursing profession.

What You'll Learn

What is a nursing career goal essay?

A nursing career goal essay is a comprehensive written statement that outlines an individual’s reasons for choosing to pursue a career in nursing. It serves as a platform for applicants to express their passion, motivation, and commitment to the nursing field. This essay allows admissions committees to gain insight into the applicant’s thought process, values, and long-term goals within the nursing profession.

What’s included in a nursing career goal essay?

A well-crafted nursing career goal essay should encompass the following key elements:

  • Personal background and inspiration: In this section, applicants should share their personal experiences, life events, or encounters that sparked their interest in the nursing profession. This could include instances where they witnessed the impact of nurses firsthand, or experiences that highlighted their innate desire to care for others.
  • Career goals: Clearly outlining both short-term and long-term career goals is essential in a nursing career goal essay. Short-term goals may include obtaining a specific nursing degree or certification, gaining experience in a particular healthcare setting, or developing proficiency in a specialized area of nursing. Long-term goals could involve pursuing advanced degrees, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, or aspiring to leadership roles, such as nurse manager or nurse educator.
  • Strengths and qualities: Applicants should highlight the personal strengths, qualities, and skills that make them well-suited for a career in nursing. This could include attributes such as empathy, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, effective communication skills, resilience, and the ability to work well under pressure.
  • Contributions to the field: In this section, applicants should explain how they plan to contribute to the nursing profession and make a positive impact on patient care or the healthcare system as a whole. This could involve discussing their commitment to ongoing professional development, their desire to advocate for patient rights, or their interest in participating in research or quality improvement initiatives.
  • Educational and professional aspirations: Applicants should discuss their educational goals, such as obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing, as well as their professional aspirations, which could include pursuing specialized roles like nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or nurse educator.

How to write a nursing career goal essay sample:

  • Reflect and introspect: Take time to reflect on your personal experiences, values, and aspirations that have led you to the decision to pursue a career in nursing. Engage in introspection to identify the key motivations and goals that resonate most strongly with you.
  • Create an outline : Develop a well-structured outline that organizes your thoughts and ensures that your essay flows logically. This outline should include an engaging introduction, body paragraphs that address each of the key elements mentioned above, and a compelling conclusion.
  • Craft an engaging introduction: Begin your essay with a captivating introduction that immediately captures the reader’s attention and sets the tone for your essay. Consider using a relevant anecdote, a thought-provoking quote, or a compelling statistic to pique the reader’s interest.
  • Incorporate examples and personal anecdotes: Throughout your essay, incorporate relevant examples and personal anecdotes that illustrate your points and make your essay more engaging and authentic. These personal stories can help the admissions committee better understand your motivations and connect with your narrative.
  • Proofread and revise: Carefully proofread and revise your essay to ensure that it is well-written, free of errors, and effectively communicates your message. Consider seeking feedback from trusted individuals, such as mentors, professors, or writing center professionals, to help you refine and strengthen your essay.

Related Articles: ESSAY WRITING SAMPLE: NURSING CAREER PLAN

Tips for writing a good nursing career goal essay:

  • Be authentic and honest: S hare your genuine motivations, experiences, and goals in your essay. Authenticity and honesty can make your essay stand out and resonate with the admissions committee.
  • Highlight your unique qualities: Emphasize the unique qualities, experiences, or perspectives that make you a strong candidate for a nursing career. This could include your cultural background, life experiences, or personal values that align with the nursing profession.
  • Demonstrate your knowledge and passion: Throughout your essay, showcase your understanding of the nursing profession and your passion for helping others and improving patient care. Discuss the specific aspects of nursing that resonate with you and how you plan to contribute to the field.
  • Tailor your essay: Customize your essay to the specific nursing program or institution you are applying to, and address any prompts or requirements provided. Research the program’s values, mission, and focus areas to ensure your essay aligns with their goals and objectives.
  • Focus on the future: While reflecting on your past experiences is important, ensure that your essay primarily focuses on your future goals and aspirations within the nursing profession. Discuss how your experiences have shaped your vision and how you plan to continue growing and contributing to the field.
  • Use appropriate language and tone: Maintain a professional and academic tone throughout your essay, using appropriate language and avoiding colloquialisms or informal expressions. At the same time, strive to write in a clear and concise manner, making your essay engaging and easy to read.
  • Seek feedback and revise: After completing your initial draft, seek feedback from trusted individuals, such as mentors, professors, or writing center professionals. Use their feedback to refine and strengthen your essay, ensuring that it effectively communicates your message and showcases your qualifications as a strong candidate for the nursing program.

50 Nursing Career Goals

  • Become a registered nurse (RN) by completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) .
  • Write a nursing career plan to outline my professional journey.
  • Choose nursing as a career to make a difference in patient care.
  • Develop nursing skills to provide excellent nursing care.
  • Pursue a career in nursing with a focus on holistic care.
  • Pass nursing school admissions to enroll in a top nursing program .
  • Specialize in a specific area of nursing , such as pediatrics or oncology.
  • Write a nursing career essay to articulate my passion for nursing.
  • Set long-term goals in nursing , such as becoming a nurse educator.
  • Write an effective nursing personal statement for job applications.
  • Gain experience as a nurse practitioner to provide advanced care.
  • Achieve certification as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) .
  • Write a nursing school essay that highlights my commitment to nursing.
  • Participate in continuing education to stay current in nursing practice.
  • Write your nursing career goals in a journal to track progress.
  • Aim for a leadership role in nursing, such as nurse manager.
  • Pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to advance my career.
  • Contribute to nursing research to improve patient outcomes.
  • Focus on patient-centered care throughout my nursing career.
  • Mentor nursing students to help them achieve their career goals.
  • Write an essay on why I want to become a nurse to inspire others.
  • Work in a care home nurse setting to support elderly patients.
  • Develop a nursing career plan essay to define my professional aspirations.
  • Aim to become a professional nurse who excels in patient care.
  • Pursue a doctoral degree in nursing (DNP) for advanced practice roles.
  • Write your nursing experience essay to reflect on clinical experiences.
  • Set short-term nursing goals , such as improving specific nursing skills.
  • Become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) to expand my scope of practice.
  • Provide care for patients with compassion and empathy.
  • Explore career options in nursing to find the best fit for my skills.
  • Write a good nursing career path essay to outline future steps.
  • Aim to work in nursing education to teach future nurses.
  • Develop a passion for nursing by continually learning and growing.
  • Focus on nursing goals that improve patient and family outcomes.
  • Pursue a career in the medical field with a focus on nursing.
  • Write an essay on the reasons for choosing nursing as a profession.
  • Work towards becoming a great nurse known for excellent care.
  • Achieve competence in advanced nursing skills to enhance patient care.
  • Aim for a rewarding career in nursing that makes a significant impact.
  • Pursue specialized training in areas like critical care or emergency nursing.
  • Write a personal statement for nursing school admissions to stand out.
  • Focus on holistic care to address all aspects of a patient’s well-being.
  • Engage in professional development opportunities in nursing.
  • Aim to care for others with the highest standards of nursing practice.
  • Work towards a leadership role in nursing staff management.
  • Develop a nursing career goal essay to clarify my objectives.
  • Pursue advanced nursing degrees to open more career opportunities.
  • Work on improving nursing practice through evidence-based approaches.
  • Aim to provide excellent nursing care to every patient.
  • Write a good nursing career goals essay to inspire and guide others interested in nursing.

What is your ambition as a nurse? Your ambition in nursing should not only be about becoming a nurse but also about evolving into the best nurse you can be. This implies continuous learning and skill enhancement. Pursue professional development opportunities, learn from experienced colleagues, and stay updated with advancements in healthcare

How do you write a career plan essay?

Three elements of a successful career goals essay Highlight specific career achievements. … Explain why your experiences and influences make your career goal a logical and wise choice. Demonstrate why you are suited to a particular field as a result of your education, experience, abilities, and enthusiasm.

What are the 5 nursing plans? The nursing process functions as a systematic guide to client-centered care with 5 sequential steps. These are assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

What are the 6 C’s of nursing? The 6 Cs – care, compassion, courage, communication, commitment, competence – are a central part of ‘Compassion in Practice’, which was first established by NHS England Chief Nursing Officer, Jane Cummings, in December 201

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10 Achievable Examples of Nursing Career Goals

Career goals for nurses

Goals setting is an important part of any career. Whether you are still in nursing school or you already graduated, it is always a good idea to work toward a goal to further your career. 

This article will provide you with nursing career goals examples that you can use for inspiration when planning your own. 

Examples of Professional Goals for Nurses (5 to 10-Year Goals)

Acquire unit-specific certifications .

If you want to work in a specialty such as the ICU or other intensive care units, always be on the lookout for ways to increase your knowledge and credentials. Unit specific certifications tremendously increase your competency levels as a nurse. The more knowledge and skills you acquire, the more valuable you will become. 

Most hospitals will offer these classes in-house. All you need to do is sign up. If you have trouble with and don’t know where to start, you can always talk to your unit educator or unit manager. 

Here are some examples:

  • Critical Care Registered Nurse certification (CCRN) 
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) 
  • 12 Lead ECG/EKG class 
  • ECG/EKG rhythm class 

Upgrade your nursing competencies 

Every unit in the hospital is somewhat specialized. Become a specialist at what you do by being involved in the procedures your unit has to offer. Are there in-services you could attend? Any check-offs you could get under your belt? Does your unit offer classes to advance your knowledge for specific procedures? 

Take as many classes as possible and shadow other nurses. 

Improve your communication skills 

Nursing is a very interactive profession. Communication is key when it comes to patient care and treatments. Not only do you need excellent communication skills for your patients but co-workers, doctors, and other interdisciplinary team members. 

All these groups of people have different education levels and communication skills. You, as the nurse, have to have the skills to bring them all together. You have to be able to educate patients who don’t have a medical background and communicate with the physician simultaneously. 

Climb the professional ladder

You don’t have to stay at the bedside as a nurse. If you want to step away into a management position, you can start small and work your way up. Most unit managers began their careers at the bedside. 

Start with a charge nurse position. As a charge nurse, you have to be resourceful and handle different issues beyond taking care of a set number of patients. 

You will have to manage staffing, shift schedules, and solve more complicated matters that arise during your shift. The charge nurse’s role is a significant precursor role from that of a unit manager. 

Nurse manager positions require at least five years of nursing experience, and administrative knowledge is a big plus. Some hospitals require a bachelor’s degree while others require a master’s degree. 

A fair amount of responsibility comes with being a nurse manager; something a nurse should consider before applying for a position.

While administrative positions remove the nurse from the bedside and direct patient care, it is still a critical nursing job with a considerable pay raise and bankers’ hours. Many nurses who have families enjoy the idea of an administrative position. 

Related Reading: 25+ Examples of SMART Goals for Nurses How to Write an Essay on Nursing Career Goals

Earn an advanced degree 

It is always wise to further your career. If you have an associate’s degree, work on a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree allows you to work in magnet status hospitals and also acquire management positions. 

Another option is advanced practice. This path requires either a master’s degree or a Ph.D. This allows the nurse to have a more one on one care relationship with the patient. 

Nurse practitioners can choose almost any specialty they would like, have much better hours, and a very nice pay raise. Some nurses decide to go on to be a physician’s assistant as well or even a doctor. Here are the most common paths for advanced practice:

  • Nurse practitioner 
  • Nurse Anesthetist 
  • Nurse Midwife 
  • Physician Assistant

Maintain a healthy distance 

Many nurses struggle with keeping their nurse life and personal life separate. It is vital to balance your career and your personal life. Maintaining a healthy life outside of work and not being consumed by a job and career has to be a professional goal. 

Being able to balance both career and personal life will help with your nursing career. It will keep you motivated to take on new challenges. 

These career goals are long-standing goals that might take time to accomplish. 

Next are career goals that are achievable much faster. 

Examples of Short-Term Nursing Career Goals 

These kinds of goals are faster to attain. You can usually reach them in less than a year. 

Pass your boards on the first try 

Passing the NCLEX is the most pertinent goal to move forward in your career as a nurse. To practice as a nurse, you have to pass your boards. All other plans build on this achievement. 

The most important thing is that you don’t cram. Start studying early and set up a study plan that gives you enough time to look over all the material and allows for breaks and time to yourself, especially right before the test.

Related Reading: 7 Examples of Leadership Smart Goals in Nursing

Find a great nursing job position 

Landing your first job position is special. Consider the direction you want to take in nursing when deciding between different job opportunities. 

Your first job often won’t be what you imagined, and you would like to move on to a different position. Remember that you will gain experience in any nursing job. Sometimes it may take a while until you land your dream job.

Excel in your preceptorship 

Most training periods span over three months. This is the time to ask as many questions as you can. Your training time is unique because you transition from studying nursing to actually doing it.

This is an excellent short-term goal for a nurse, especially a new grad. It offers a perfect opportunity to show how invested you are in this profession.

Goals like these build an excellent foundation for your long term goals. It takes great effort and resilience to achieve 5 to 10-year nursing career goals. 

Continue to learn every day

Healthcare is an ever-changing and evolving field. Even after your training, there are many opportunities to learn. 

Make learning about your profession a lifelong practice. It’s easy to learn something new in nursing each and every day. That is the reason why this point belongs to the short-term goals in nursing.

Find opportunities every day to learn something new about nursing, and you’ll reach one of your goals every single day.

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Nursing Career Goals Essay Examples

How it works

  • 1.1 Holistic Nursing – Motivated to Care
  • 1.2 Nursing Program Selection
  • 1.3 The Importance of Nursing
  • 1.4 Values and beliefs
  • 1.5 Future Perspective
  • 1.6 Conclusion

Introduction

Nursing is a recognized and holistic profession that draws inspiration from famous mentors such as Florence Nightingale and Virginia Henderson. Nurses are motivated by core values and beliefs that shape their desire to provide patients with compassionate care. This article delves into the reasons for selecting nursing as a vocation, the essence of nursing, beliefs, and values, and the future vision.

Holistic Nursing – Motivated to Care

Nursing is a diverse career requiring commitment and comprehension of its underlying beliefs. Prominent characters such as Florence Nightingale inspire nurses to deliver holistic care to patients.

Personal values and beliefs significantly impact the nursing industry, ensuring that patients are empowered to live their best lives. Because machines cannot replace the nurturing nurses offer, compassion and dignity are the cornerstones of nursing care.

Nursing Program Selection

Growing up in Nigeria, the author witnessed nurses’ dedication to caring for others, which had a tremendous impression on him. These healthcare professionals’ commitment and compassion spurred my ambition to pursue a nursing career. Nursing is a rewarding job that also allows for a flexible work-life balance. The author aims to advance their nursing abilities, earn a bachelor’s degree, and eventually specialize as midwives. This expertise coincides with a long-term objective of returning to Nigeria to promote community maternal healthcare.

The Importance of Nursing

Nursing has been a vital profession focused on compassionate patient care for generations. Nursing practice has developed, and being current on current changes is critical for providing good care. The American Nurses Association is a system that empowers nurses to advance their nursing vocation and improve public healthcare. The patient’s family plays a vital role in their care, and holistic nursing also considers their needs.

Values and beliefs

Understanding the fragility of patients is critical to giving compassionate care. Patients’ trust and loyalty are increased when treated with dignity and compassion. The involvement of the patient’s family in the care process is critical for a holistic approach to patient well-being. Effective communication and collaboration with other healthcare practitioners are essential to nursing care.

Future Perspective

The author’s short-term ambitions include developing skills, earning a bachelor’s degree, and transitioning into intensive care. They hope to become midwives and care for pregnant ladies and babies in the next five years. Finally, the author’s ten-year plan includes returning to Nigeria to address the high maternal mortality rate and teach additional nurses.

A passion for compassionate care and a desire to make a positive difference in patients’ lives inspire the decision to pursue a nursing career. Nurses must preserve core principles and beliefs while delivering holistic care that covers their patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Nurses can attain their career goals and contribute to global healthcare improvement with dedication and ongoing learning. Despite the obstacles, a supportive network and tenacity will lead to a satisfying and rewarding nursing profession.

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How to Write a Nursing Career Goals Essay: Topics, and Examples

NURS 6521: Advanced Pharmacology final exam

How to write a nursing process essay, how to write a nursing career goals essay: topics, and examples.

career goals essay sample nursing

How to Write a Nursing Career Goals Essay: Topics, and Examples Nursing is a career that has recently gained popularity among college and university students. Most students are driven by different career goals that push them to pursue a career in nursing. Writing a nursing career goals essay is the first step to showcasing your dedication to pursuing this noble career. Drafting a nursing goals essay is a task that requires diverse skills and commitment to subscribe to the program. If you are stuck on how to start a nursing goals essay, we have taken the step to help you get out of the mud in this article. You can use the guide below to reduce your migraine in writing your nursing career goals essay.  Definition of nursing career goals essay Nursing career goals are vital in the expert existence of a nursing practitioner. As a nursing practitioner, you may be expected to give sharp nursing career goals essay examples on how to deal with different situations. A nursing career goals essay can be defined as a well-detailed document that explains other motives that drive an individual to choose nursing as their career. Career goals can be defined as objectives that individuals could use to succeed in their careers. Without uncertainty, a decent handle on nursing career goals will be helpful while composing a nursing career goals essay. Any genuine understudy or specialist should have intricate professional goals in a nursing essay. The writing process must be meticulous, where it ought to mirror the target of the career goals essay. Before you begin drafting your paper, it is important to understand the various career fields for nursing practitioners. These careers can be ordered under three significant gatherings that include: 1.      Direct Patient Registered Nurse This career way involves working at the patient’s bedside as a feature of an interdisciplinary group. The essential job of the medical caretaker involves working “actively” with patients. 2.      Indirect Patient Care Registered Nurse This career way includes working with an interdisciplinary group of various medical services professionals, including the bedside attendant, to help with patient consideration. It emphasizes more working in managerial and the executives’ limits. Work settings for this nurse might include:

Outpatient settings Insurance companies Hospitals Correctional healthcare facilities Government Skilled nursing facilities Clinics Community health Physician offices Universities

3.      Advanced Practice Registered Nursing This is viewed as the embodiment of a nursing career. The career way goes about as a scaffold among nursing practitioners and doctors. Such medical attendants perform undeniable level obligations and manage the nursing staff. APRN areas of practice include:

Nurse anesthetist Nurse practitioner Clinical nurse specialist Nurse midwife

How to develop educational goals essay for nursing Creating reasonable goals is one of the significant areas of concern when composing an essay on nursing career goals. Likewise, there is a heap factor you ought to consider to guarantee that your goals are lined up with your scholarly and professional pursuits. It is, in this way, vital to ensure a first-class essay. Writing future career goals in nursing essays demands a good understanding of the goal development process. Generally, when developing such goals, you should deliberate on several factors, including: 1.      Factors what drive you to pursue nursing  A nurse is considered the first line of contact in healthcare provision and saving of life. As a nurse, you are obliged as the first person to identify any patient who may require emergency attention. Practicing nursing services is demanding in its nature of work, requires high concentration levels, and can be mentally draining practice. This is more serious in some fields of nursing practice than others. In light of this, drafting a career goals essay for nursing graduate school requires a legitimate individual assessment to decide the explanation that draws you to practicing nursing activities. Recognizing this reason will assist you in making suitable choices to help you follow your dream.  2.      A working environment that suits you  This is another factor to consider when writing a nursing educational and career goals essay. It is essential to appreciate that respective nursing careers are practiced in different environments. Other nursing careers might expect you to work from home, travel frequently and broadly, practice in well-known emergency clinics, stroll around in communities delivering healthcare, hold meetings and educative programs, or even work in educating foundations. Consequently, it is fundamental to consider the different work settings while composing your nursing targets and goals. This is key in deciding if you have the essential individual qualities and traits for working in particular conditions and nursing careers.  3.      The community you aim at delivering healthcare services to Close to your environment, the type of society you wish to consistently collaborates with is another significant component to consider while composing a frontier nursing goals essay. This glances at the patients, associates, and individuals you report to. Nursing careers allow you to connect easily with the patients, local area individuals, scholars, and intellectuals. In some nursing careers, interacting with individuals, either patients or the general population, is restricted. The prerequisites to answer to your superiors vary depending on your nursing career. It would be best to comprehend where your character suits most while fostering your nursing professional goals statement.       4.      The requisite academic qualifications  Your academic qualifications are essential in every path you take when writing an essay on nursing career goals. All these career paths are more demanding academically than other careers. Other career paths will only require an undergraduate degree, while others require a master’s or a doctorate degree. This places you in a position to consider factors like your age, financial capacity or plans, and other life issues like craving for additional time with family. The more specific the nursing career is, the higher the academic requests.  How to set your nursing career goals To develop proper examples of nursing career goals, you will be expected to have the essential objective setting information and abilities. Note that the method involved laying out attainable nursing career goal requests that you take on the SMART goals approach. The SMART goals are explained in detail below. It is important to note that SMART is an acronym for: S: Specific M: Measurable A: Attainable R: Realistic T: Time-bound    v  Specific It is essential to guarantee that the goals you include in your nursing professional goals articulation are not very expansive. All nursing career goals essay examples should be presented in a way that they can be easily translated. It would be best if you comprehended that long-term goals as a nurse practitioner specifically are exposed to pessimistic impacts of progress by the change in environment and individual perspectives. It would be best to be specific with your nursing career goals enough to avoid situations of outrageous differences. The goals ought to be just about as engaged and point by point as expected.  v  Measurable All nursing career goals should be quantifiable. Measurability is critical concerning how to accomplish nursing goals. This is significant in deciding on advancement in your nursing career. This progress could be explored using different examples of nursing goals for yearly evaluation. Measurability is also essential in helping demarcate achievements that act as a source of motivation. Your nursing career goals should incorporate clear milestones that have a defined ending.   v  Attainable This pertains to how to achieve nursing goals. There is a significant attainability challenge, mainly when writing a long-term goals nursing essay. This is because such nursing career goals could demand tools and resources beyond the reach of the nurse. Ensuring that your nursing goals are incognizant of required resources, including time frames, skills, and funds, is essential. This requires you to break down your goals into smaller ones, especially in incidences where the main goal is quite complex. You can begin by exploring the most appropriate examples of nursing goals for yearly evaluation.    v  Realistic About being realistic, you need to guarantee that every one of the examples of nursing career goals you decide to embrace is sensible concerning the setting of nursing practice. You ought to consider various elements to conclude whether your nursing career goals are reasonable. Such factors might include their degree, required abilities, existing frameworks, and individual limits. Specifically, long-term goals for a nursing specialist can represent genuine difficulties in being practical. As a nurse, you should try to make career goals that are grounded and adjusted to the setting of nursing practice.  v  Time-bound Time-frame is another significant facet regarding how to accomplish nursing career goals essay. It involves joining a particular course of events to achieve your nursing career goals. Every goal should include a study of events inside which the goals are supposed to have been accomplished. This needs you to develop various examples of nursing goals for the yearly assessment. The timetables should function as signs of progress and a wellspring of inspiration on the direction you should take as a nurse.  Steps to take when writing career goals essay for nursing graduate school Step 1: Planning your essay  Before composing, begin by brainstorming your goals and what you need to achieve as a medical caretaker. This stage is tied in with gathering different ideas. a.       Brainstorm different nursing career paths Every registered nurse can work in a specialist’s office, clinics, schools, long-term care offices, facilities, prisons, and traveling nursing all around the United States and other foreign nations. b.       Plan your nursing career content After you have narrowed your ideas about your career as a nurse, it is time to plan how to get your message across. Here is a list of factors you should consider before writing your nursing education and career goals essay: 

Who is your audience?  A list of items that interest you as a nursing student and why you find them interesting Why did you select the nursing program that you did? Prior preparation for becoming a good nurse What makes you stand out? Any medical training or patient care What traits do you have that will make you a good nurse? Why the nursing school should accept you as a student What work environment do you prefer? Hectic and fast-paced? Slow and steady and quiet?

Step 2: Outlining your essay Usually, you will start with the introduction, write the main content in your essay’s body paragraphs, and finish with a conclusion. To write an outstanding essay about nursing career goals, you can consider the following steps as your cheat sheet:

Develop eye-catching essay topics on career goals in nursing. Draft a powerful personal statement or an introduction to hook your audience. You can make it enjoyable by writing a personal story.

Begin to draft your essay’s body by highlighting your long-term and short-term goals. You can take it further by writing about what drives you to pursue a nursing career.

Every essay has a beginning and ending, so does a nursing career goals essay. You should emphasize your discussion topic and leave an impression on your audience.

Step 3: Writing your nursing career essay  It’s time to put your pen to work. Even if you develop a rough draft, you have to begin writing your essay.  Ø  Title The title of an essay is one of the essential pieces of a paper. While making your title, think about your crowd. If you decide to draft an admission essay, it is always important to understand that your crowd will be an admissions committee. Ø  Essay introduction  Your introduction is an essential facet of your work. To showcase your expertise, you should develop a solid personal statement. The personal statement should be a novel or recount an individual diminutive story. The presentation is where you arouse your audience’s curiosity and catch their consideration, so they need to continue to peruse. One answer that should shine through is why you want to be a nurse. This question’s answer serves as a great transition between your career goals essay’s introduction and body. Ø  Body of your nursing career goals essay A nursing school essay’s body tells the nursing school administrators why they want to be a nurse and why they should select you to be a student in their program. You can incorporate a real-life story if you have one. Long-term goals and short-term goals  This will be the primary piece of your essay. You ought to devote most of your paper to your nursing career goals. You will have goals that you can accomplish quicker than different goals. One method for seeing it is to have momentary goals and long-term goals. Momentary goals will be goals you can accomplish in under one year, though long-term goals require a touch more determination and vision. Presenting your short-term and nursing career goals in 5 years shows that you are aggressive and have a dream for your career. These goals should underline the effect you wish to make once you enter the nursing force. Here is a cheat sheet to introduce your goals:

State your goal clearly Describe how this goal connects to your personal life What motivates you to achieve this goal? Explain your plan on how you will accomplish this goal Write about the challenges that you may face and how you will overcome them

Examples of short-term goals 

Passing Nursing school and board certification

Taking classes to gain more certifications such as the Advanced Certified Life Support(ACLS) or Critical Care Registered Nurse(CCRN)

Taking classes to increase to improve your current knowledge. For example, EKG classes as a cardiac nurse or mother-baby classes as a labor and delivery nurse.

Improving communication skills with patients and colleagues

 Examples of long-term goals 

A relatively common career goal is advancement. If you are looking for a more challenging nursing position or getting burned out, look into becoming an educator or a family nurse practitioner.

Another good move up the nursing ladder is to obtain an administrative position. This is an excellent option if you seek to move away from the bedside. The ideal people for the jobs are nurses because they already have vast knowledge in the nursing field. 

Step 4: Conclude your essay This part will stay with your crowd the most because it’s the last part they read. Your conclusion should comprise your strengths and accomplishments. A phenomenal method for being unique is to give your crowd a something worth mulling over and end your essay with the accompanying:

Connect your personal experience/story with your goal of becoming a nurse Return to the introduction for your paper to come full circle End your essay with an intriguing question End your essay with an impactful statement

How to answer the question “Why do you want to be a nurse?” in your essay Frequently, a potential nursing understudy has a particular explanation far over the affection for dealing with individuals. It is typically a heartbreaking story, yet one that gives a powerful urge and drives you as a student. Likewise, you ought to consider what you will be “dealing” with as a nurse, like blood, organic liquids, death of infants, children, teenagers, youths, grown-ups, and the elderly. Engine vehicle mishap casualties are gripping to life, sick individuals who are so debilitated they will most likely be unable to talk or continue alone, misfortune and the circle of life gone haywire. There are also happy endings in hospitals such as: babies’ birth and parents being discharged in good conditions, patients who have gone through long periods in the emergency clinic being discharged, and careful patients who are presently not in torment leaving return home. Other situations that can define your goals

If you have worked or volunteered in a doctor’s office or hospital, you can draw from what you observed and add any positive experiences.

If you were a patient in a hospital for at least a few days, you could again draw from that experience about how you felt as you watched the doctors and nurses take care of you and even other patients. Of course, your experience would need to be a positive one.

You can use a situation where you volunteered in a pediatric unit to read to the children. You could make sense of how that affected you and how the nursing practitioners communicated with the child.

Final remarks Setting your goals as a nurse is the first staircase to a successful nursing career. To show case your credibility and competency, you must complete an outstanding nursing career goals essay. The above guide will help you get the flowers you deserve by writing a top-quality nursing goals essay. If you are stuck choosing the best essay topics on career goals in nursing, you can always consult our experts. When you place your first order with us, you are guaranteed access to a free sample essay on nursing career goals. Allow our experts to mold you into the nurse you always dreamt of becoming.

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Career Goals / Setting My Career Goals in Nursing: Aspirations for My Future

Setting My Career Goals in Nursing: Aspirations for My Future

  • Category: Life , Profession
  • Topic: Career Goals , Nurse

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