Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel can sometimes be a challenge for me as a student nurse. I am so close to ending my journey as a student nurse and becoming a certified registered nurse. I have mixed emotions about this transition as I realize I am about to take on a lot of responsibilities in the nursing world. I am excited about getting to know patients, making connections with coworkers, and making a difference in people’s lives. I plan on celebrating my future victories with loved ones and continue to journal to reflect upon my accomplishments. A future goal of mine is to get a few years of nursing experience and to eventually go back to school to become a licensed nurse practitioner. I will progress towards this goal by learning through my next few years in the nursing world how to become a quality registered nurse and how to optimize patient progress and safety. I am very anxious about getting comfortable in whatever healthcare facility I end up going to, applying for jobs, and going in for interviews. I will continue to plan each week by putting aside time for studying, homework assignments, and weekly ATI testing remediations. I will also consider of my class time, clinical experience, and work schedule while planning out my weekly schedules.

            I have made two SMART goals for this last semester to help keep me focused and on task for the year. One of my goals this semester is to keep a weekly schedule for my assignments and to set aside blocks of time for studying. I want to complete all my assignments on time and stick to a time and actual study when I plan to. Keeping a routine and sticking to it will help me stay organized and not as stressed when due dates and exam dates come close. Another goal for this semester is to find time to get in physical activity to help maintain good health and a good spirit. My goal is to do 30 minutes of physical activity at least three times a week. I feel as though this goal is very attainable for me as it does not take up too much of my time as a nursing student. I believe these goals will help me stay on task and help me focus on my priorities for the year. These goals will also help me boost my spirits and help maintain my mental health throughout the semester.