As we begin planning for this year's performance goals, I'm looking to refresh our list of departmental goals that align with our priorities-particularly in strengthening team member engagement and enhancing the patient experience across our department.
Our approach at Southeast Georgia Health System has typically included a mix of department-focused goals that are relevant to each team member's specific role, along with space for individuals to include their own goals based on their strengths, interests, or opportunities for growth. This year, I'd like to continue that practice but with a renewed focus on engagement, ownership, and patient-centered care.
I'm working on a list of 5-10 SMART-formatted goals that can serve as a foundation during one-on-one discussions. I need at least ONE Departmental Goal and then the other can be a mix, not only for nurses but unit coordinators, paramedics, and emergency department technicians. A few of these will be required for all staff based on job role or code, while the others can be selected collaboratively depending on the individual's responsibilities, current initiatives, or areas of interest. With over 160 team members, having these goals pre-drafted in SMART format will help streamline the process and ensure consistency across the board.
If you have any SMART goals that have worked well in your areas or ideas you're willing to share, especially those tied to engagement, communication, teamwork, accountability, or patient satisfaction, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance for your input and collaboration-looking forward to putting these goals into action to drive meaningful outcomes for our team and our patients. A couple examples I already have are below, please SHARE yours as well!!!
RN/Paramedic/ECC Tech/UC
- Complete one CEU-based course or certification review module relevant to emergency nursing (e.g., TNCC, ENPC, CEN) and submit certificate to leadership for file inclusion.
- Achieve and maintain at least 95% compliance with barcode medication administration (Med Scan) on all medication administrations and 98% compliance with PPID (patient armband), as tracked through monthly Med Scan reports and reinforced during chart audits
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Ensure patient care areas are fully stocked with required supplies (gloves, wipes, linens, etc.) at the start of each shift with 100% completion on assigned days, verified by random charge audits or checklists.
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Demonstrate 100% compliance with >200 hand hygiene and PPE use on all observed interactions through FY26, with zero missed opportunities during random leadership audits.
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Gina Copeland BSN, RN, SANE
Director Emergency Department, Vascular Access, Behavioral Health
Southeast GA Health System
Brunswick, GA 31520
912-466-2099
gina.copeland@sghs.org------------------------------