Statement of Professional Goals
Statement of Professional Goals
Kari Thacker
During nursing school, if one were to ask me where I’d see myself in five years I would
have responded, “I’ll be a nurse!” Only after beginning my career as an RN did I understand that
becoming a nurse was only the first of many personal and professional goals. Four years into my
nursing journey, I have already accomplished more than I anticipated: I have held positions as
both a floor and resource nurse on a telemetry unit, obtained a position as a clinical nurse mentor
for nursing students, recognized as Resident Preceptor of the Year, earned my CSMRN
certification and RN clinical ladder level III, and most recently I transferred to a new unit in my
facility with a promotion to charge nurse. With such a successful start to my career, I continue to
As I recently began a new position as charge nurse, my goal for the next year is to
successfully transition into the leadership role. I will take on this responsibility to promote a
culture of excellence and patient centered care. As I will graduate with my BSN this year, I also
have the immediate goal of presenting myself as an educated nursing professional. I will achieve
this by attending nursing conferences through professional organizations and networking with
Having just transitioned to a new nursing role, I intend to spend the next year focusing on
implementing leadership skills into my nursing practice. However, within the next three years, I
anticipate that I will begin exploring nursing specialties. I have had long term goals of exploring
trauma, intensive care, hospice and neonatal nursing. I have also considered leaving the acute
setting altogether and pursuing primary care. My goal for the next three years is to determine
PROFESSIONAL GOALS 3
into which direction I will shift my career. To aide in my decision, I will conduct research into
After taking the time to formulate a solid career plan, my goal is to be in a graduate
program within the next five years. I may wish to begin with a master’s degree, or to go straight
for a DNP bridge program. Five years from now I will have spent nearly a decade as a nurse. I
will be considered a nursing expert on Benner’s model. Regardless of nursing specialty I choose
to pursue, another five-year goal is to contribute to the development of the nursing professional
By setting goals and developing plans for professional development, I anticipate that my
nursing career will continue to yield exciting accomplishments. My career goals also guide my
personal life; as I consider not only what I want to accomplish, but where. Also, my son will be
graduating from high school in ten years. Graduating with my doctorate at the same time that he