Achieve Success as a Dental Nurse in the New Year: From Good to Great

13th Jan 2025

This blog will help you achieve success as a dental nurse. As we step into a new year, have you taken a moment to reflect on the changes you want to make or the goals you wish to achieve? Whether you’re eager to dive straight in with a list of ambitions or prefer to ease into the year with a more relaxed approach, this blog is here to inspire and guide you.

Here’s a fresh perspective to help you set achievable goals, nurture personal growth, and elevate your career as a dental nurse. Pick one, two, or a handful of goals—there’s no right or wrong number. The key is to take small, intentional steps towards improvement.

Written by: Sara Revelo

Tips for Setting New Year’s Goals to Achieve Success as a Dental Nurse

Quality Over Quantity to Achieve Success as a Dental Nurse
Focus on fewer, meaningful goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Break It Down
Tackle one month at a time. Short bursts of focus (15-30 days) make goals feel more manageable and achievable.
Find an Accountability Partner
A friend or colleague can keep you motivated—especially for goals like fitness or learning new skills.

achieve success

Goals vs. Objectives: The Key Difference

When planning your journey, think of goals as the destination and objectives as the steps to get there.

Goal: What do I want to achieve?
Objective: How am I going to achieve it?

There are frameworks to help you structure this process, such as SMART goals, OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), or a SWOT analysis. Explore what works best for you—but remember, action is the most important step.

Elevating Your Career as a Dental Nurse

Prioritising Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Staying current with CPD is crucial for maintaining your registration and delivering the best care to your patients.

Example Goals:

Stop leaving CPD hours to the last minute.
Be more reflective in my practice.
Attend more in-person courses.

Objectives for "I forget to do my CPDs until the last minute":

Write down 1-3 highlights or challenges from each month to identify areas for improvement.
Set calendar reminders to complete CPD tasks every 4-6 weeks.
Review your CPD hours every two months to stay on track.

Expanding Career Opportunities
Gemma Forsythe, a dental nurse, advises, “Don’t remain stagnant.” Boredom from routine can lower job satisfaction. Challenge yourself to grow and improve.

Example Goals:

Improve patient care skills (e.g., communication with anxious patients).
Specialise in a new area, such as radiography.

Objectives for "I want to specialise in radiography":

Watch educational videos on taking radiographs.
Practise skills at work regularly.
Enrol in a radiography course this year.

Balancing Personal Goals with Work

Personal growth is just as important as career advancement. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

Fitness Goals:

Walk or cycle to work when possible.
Join a fitness challenge or lunchtime walking group.

Creative Goals:

Pursue a hobby like crocheting, resin art, or candle painting.
Replace social media scrolling with reading before bed.

Public Speaking:

Learn through videos or podcasts.
Practise with colleagues during breaks to build confidence.

Staying Ahead with Technology

In the ever-evolving world of dentistry, staying updated is essential.

Example Objectives:

Subscribe to dental newsletters.
Dedicate time to exploring dental websites.
Attend dental exhibitions or workshops to stay informed about the latest advancements.

A Fresh Start for a Fulfilling Year

New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be daunting. Whether you choose to focus on a single goal or set ambitious targets, remember: less is more. Taking small, consistent actions will help you build momentum and achieve success without feeling overwhelmed.

Here’s to a productive and inspiring year as you grow from good to great in your role as a dental nurse!