need help prioritizing!! ASAP

PMFB-RN, RN · Nov 23, 2006

Someone please give me advice!!!! Need help learning how to prioritize/visit which patient first NOT what action to do first!!!!!!!!PLEASE HELP!!! Or a reccommended book out there!!!

*** After report I make a quick visit to each of my patients. I just introduce myself, ask how they are feeling and are they in pain and to tell them I will be back shortly. Maybe 1-3 min with each patient. While making these visits I am preforming a quick assesment. Obviously anyone with a problem with their ABCs get first priority. Second are patients in pain. If ABC problems and pain are not a concerne I consider what's happening that day. For example if I have 4 patients to assess and one of them has to go to an MRI in half an hour I will assess them first.

I assess first, then pass meds, then ADLs. You have to consider what each patient has going one. For example if I have to hang blood right away I know I will have to be in that patients room for at least 15-20 min so I pass meds on the other patients first.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2006

here are links that i generally post for people looking for help with prioritizing. they are, however, general information and not written for specifically for nurses. i also listed three books that are specifically for nurses and have to do with critical thinking which is really what you are asking about in the process of prioritizing. you can find more information about them on barnes and nobel's website. hope you find something here that helps you:

http://www.time-management-guide.com/prioritizing.html - prioritizing effectively

http://www.ecomhelp.com/kb/inspiration/kb_prioritizing-your-day.htm - prioritizing your day to accomplish more. again, another site for business, but the principles for nursing are there and sound.

http://www.dkeener.com/keenstuff/priority.html - setting priorities.

http://www.ehow.com/how_948_manage-time.html - how to manage your time

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/main/newmn_hte.htm - time management from mind tools

http://www.ehow.com/how_2248_break-procrastination-habit.html - how to break the procrastination habit

http://www.ehow.com/how_3812_make-list.html - how to make a todo list

critical thinking in nursing: a cognitive skills workbook by saundra k. lipe and sharon beasley. runs about $36.

strategies, techniques, and approaches to thinking: critical thinking cases in nursing by sandra luz martine de castillo. runs about $35.

winningham and preusser's critical thinking in medical-surgical settings: a case study approach by barbara a. preusser. runs about #34.