[julezzz26]

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am 3 weeks into a new grad position as an RN on an ortho/trauma floor on the day shift. I have 2 great preceptors. I am having a hard time keeping up with things, I am getting distracted and not getting my meds done on time. Any suggestions on how to stay organized? How do you guys organize your day? Thanks.

[Sueilp]

dont know how yo do report but we go round the rooms and when i make my notes on each pt i write down on the right hand side of my paper the times of when their meds are due and refer to that when i check my notes and cross them off as i do them.
I go and see the pt's who I think are less stable first and go from there. it will all come togther as you get more into it :-)

[chocolatepoppy]

I do similar to SueILP. We do walking rounds w/the C.O.W.'s ,and as I'm at the bedside listening,I'm taking notes to the side of what the day shift was like for this patient. (I already have an assignment sheet w/me w/ patient's name,age,doctor,diagnosis,surg. date,weight-bear. status, diet,vital sign routines,Oxygen needs,IV flds/rate/location, drains-what kind,dressings/location/when to be changed-or anything pertinent,foley cath,last pain medication time given, AND(hehehh)last b.m. After that, I begin my assessments- I too check out the most un-well patient first -then the rest. if they're all pretty stable, I then go make a list of their meds(room by room) in chronological order,and if someone asked for pain meds during rounds, I do that right off. Then, usually I can quickly chart my assessments,then begin to pass medications (or order them if Pharm. hadn't sent them,so I can give them). I hope that wasn't too much info- but you did ask, and this works for me. It gets tricky at times when you get new admits in the midst of rounds, but there's always a way to get it done. The key is organization, and you will find your stride. Ask for others' advice and take in what helps you. Best wishes