Goal Setting in Pandemic Times

Pandemic! A word that we learned in nursing school. A word that was synonymous with widespread death and tragedy. A word we were aware of but existed oftentimes outside our sphere of professional nursing practice and our lives.

It seemed as if overnight, the word pandemic became our lived experience. It invaded the media, our lives, and our work environment.

Suddenly nurses were thrust into the limelight and we became the heroes of the pandemic. We were no longer the unsung heroes of health care. We became the faces, hands, and minds that were expected to save countless lives, even at the expense of our lives and those of our families.

We thought, the pandemic would go away and life would resume and return to a pre-pandemic state. However, we now know that our lives and the profession of nursing will never be the same. We now realize that we need to be better prepared to deal with future pandemics and any new crises that may occur.

We cannot rest on our laurels as unsung heroes; we must prepare ourselves mentally and intellectually to meet the changing health care needs of the patients and communities we serve.

Granted, it is challenging during times of turbulence to dedicate more of oneself to the practice of nursing. However, it is a good time not only to improve your knowledge of nursing but also to reflect on your professional goals.

As nurses we have given so much to others that oftentimes we have neglected to take the time to explore what is important to our personal and professional growth. But now is the time to carve out some personal time to strategize for the future.

As nurses we have given so much to others that oftentimes we have neglected to take the time to explore what is important to our personal and professional growth. But now is the time to carve out some personal time to strategize for the future.

A future in which we will be better prepared to handle the ever-changing health care needs of our patients. Whether that future is preparing to take the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) exam, completing the requirements for CMSRN renewal, or simply refocusing on your career goals in nursing, the time is now to reexamine your professional goals.

It is likely that as you prepare to meet your professional goals you will receive a sense of accomplishment, a sense of normalcy, a realization that we can prepare ourselves for the future.

We, at the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB), recognize that after studying and preparing for the exam, finding the time to drive to a testing center and take the exam in an unfamiliar setting may be unsettling.

As a result, MSNCB is moving forward to establish standards for remote proctoring. If you are new to this concept, remote proctoring is the process of allowing testing candidates to take the exam “remotely” within the comfort of their homes or preferred environments.

As we move forward in establishing this practice, we will certainly keep you updated.

Another professional goal you may wish to consider, is attending the AMSN Virtual Convention, which will occur October 22-25, 2020. If you select the Complete Convention Registration Package it will provide you with 55 educational contact hours, which is more than half of what you need to renew your national CMSRN certification.

The conference will include live sessions with opportunities for questions and answers, poster sessions, as well as virtual exhibitors. Naturally, there will be opportunities to network with friends, colleagues, and make new friends.

Take the opportunity in these ever-changing times to refocus on your personal and professional goals. Commit to yourself and to excellence in nursing practice.

Sincerely,
Ann