Short-Term Goal (During Current Placement)
🔹 Goal 1: Strengthen Emergency Care Confidence and Rapid Clinical Assessment
Specific: During my placement at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), I will focus on improving my speed, accuracy, and confidence when performing rapid patient assessments and assisting with urgent-care procedures such as IV setup, vital sign interpretation, and wound management.
Measurable: I will document at least three high-acuity interactions each week, noting my clinical decisions, communication techniques, and performance feedback from my preceptor.
Achievable: By seeking direct supervision and daily mentorship, I will progressively strengthen my ability to prioritize and respond effectively under pressure.
Relevant: This goal supports the CNO’s Professional Standards (CNO, 2023) in the areas of accountability, continuing competence, and knowledge application, ensuring safe, evidence-informed care in acute situations.
Time-Bound: By April 2025, I will demonstrate measurable improvement in emergency care confidence, verified through preceptor evaluations and reflective journal evidence.
Long-Term Goal (Professional Development)
🔹 Goal 2: Expand Competency in Mental Health and Cognitive Behavioural Interventions
Specific: Within two years of graduation, I will complete advanced education in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and mental health crisis intervention to strengthen my therapeutic-communication and de-escalation skills when caring for clients with anxiety, mood disorders, or behavioural challenges.
Measurable: I will enroll in an accredited CBT certificate program and maintain a record of course completion, clinical applications, and reflective summaries showing how CBT principles have informed my nursing interactions.
Achievable: Drawing on my prior CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) certification and mentorship from mental-health professionals, I will integrate CBT concepts into everyday clinical practice through observation, journaling, and feedback discussions.
Relevant: This goal aligns with the CNO’s Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship (CNO, 2006) and Ethics (CNO, 2019) standards by promoting empathy, respect, and professional boundaries while supporting clients in behavioural or emotional distress.
Time-Bound: I will complete the CBT program and begin applying learned interventions in practice by December 2027, evaluating outcomes through self-reflection and client feedback.
Reflection and Evaluation
I will assess progress quarterly through journal reviews, peer and preceptor feedback, and self-assessment against the CNO’s Professional Standards (CNO, 2023). This continuous evaluation process supports professional accountability and lifelong learning—ensuring that my practice remains evidence-informed, ethical, and aligned with patient-centered care principles.
References
College of Nurses of Ontario. (2006). Therapeutic nurse-client relationship, revised 2006. https://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/41033_therapeutic.pdf
College of Nurses of Ontario. (2019). Code of ethics for nurses. https://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/ethics.pdf
College of Nurses of Ontario. (2023). Professional standards, revised 2023. https://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/41006_profstds.pdf