Laura Ellis

NURS 496
September 17, 2016

Statement of Professional Goals

As a nurse of nearly three years looking to finish my Bachelors of Science in
nursing this semester, I am asked to evaluate where I see myself over the next few years.
Part of being a nursing professional is the dedication to both short-term and long-term
goals. The first step towards many future goals is to complete the RN to BSN program at
Frostburg State University. In this statement of goals I will include my intentions for my
nursing career over the next year, 3 years, and 5 years.
Over the next year aside from completing the RN to BSN program, I plan to focus
on diversifying my ICU knowledge. In the next three months I plan to be trained as an
ICU responder nurse who responds to STAT and Code Blue calls on other units in the
hospital. This training requires a classroom and hands-on portion as well as several weeks
of responding to calls with a certified responder nurse. After becoming certified as an
ICU responder nurse I plan to begin studying for my CCRN certification. The CCRN
exam requires knowledge of critical care nursing for adults, pediatrics, and neonatal
patients. The CCRN certification will exhibit my knowledge base and ability to think
critically.
In the next three years I will look to focus on my professional development. I
hope to begin as a nurse preceptor on my current unit. As an ICU nurse 4 to 6 years of
experience, a BSN, and a CCRN certification I think I can be valuable asset as a

preceptor. The nurse preceptor role is one that helps to educate and develop new nurses in
critical care nursing. Being a preceptor is a unique opportunity that provides enrichment
not only for the new nurse but also for the experienced nurse as they learn by educating
someone else.
Five years from now after 8 years of nursing experience, I will look to transition
to a higher level of critical care nursing. I would like to pursue trauma nursing at a
facility such as University of Maryland Medical Center or INOVA Fairfax. Trauma
nursing requires a diverse skillset, a calm demeanor, and a wealth of experience. I have
always been interested in trauma nursing and I feel that by completing the goals
mentioned above, I will have the tools to be successful in the trauma setting.
With the end goal within the next five years to start training at a level 1 trauma
center, it will be important to remain committed to the short-term goals in order to reach
the ultimate goal. Goal setting is an essential component of being a professional in any
career path but especially for bedside nursing. Without a BSN, none of the
aforementioned goals will be possible and thus the first step in the journey to becoming a
trauma nurse is to complete the RN to BSN program and give myself a strong foundation
to start from.