What tricks have you found make your job easier?

[ShayRN]

Here are some of mine:

1) Communication: I make rounds the start of every shift so that the patients and their families know my face. When I go to lunch, I make a round and tell everyone where I will be and for how long. When I am doing an admission I let my other families know that I will be tied up for about an hour and make sure that they don't have any immediate needs.

2) Group my tasks. If I have to give a breathing treatment, I will do my head to toe assessments and B/p's at the same time.

3) Manners: Saying please and thank you go a long way. I really appreciate my STNA's.

[casi, ASN, RN]

4) calling in sick.

5) cluster cares so I don't have to keep waking somone up ever 15 minutes.

[Fribblet]

My job is easier when we are staffed adequately.

[StrwbryblndRN]

I find talking to patients and getting their input as to what they need/want from me helps me to "schedule" my night. (Schedule used loosely here). I let my patients know what meds are to be given throughout the shift. I ask in advance if a sleep aid is needed or pain med and review a pt's PRN use so I can mentally prepare for it. This way I know what pt's will be asleep early and which tend to be awake alot. Just talking to a pt helps with the assessment and education at the same time. You will know who is on point with their care or who will need reinforcement later.

Getting to know the quirks of your pt's goes a long way in caring for pt's.. I try to work 3-12's in a row and getting to know them helps through the 3 day stretch.

[Flo., BSN, RN]

Interesting, I have found that telling pts I am going to lunch and ___ will be your nurse until I get back is disastrous. They can become very needy and complain about the other nurse. Instead I do the normal hourly rounding and get another nurse to cover my pts without telling them. This way I usually meet all of their needs before lunch and the other nurse has no interruptions.

[Ivanna_Nurse, BSN, RN]

A pen in each clipboard, so Im not fumbling in my pockets

Rounding at the beginning of the shift to say hi to the families, and make sure I am not running out of any drips.

Flushes, alcohol wipes, tubing, chux and wet wipes in each room.

Hourly rounding and specifically asking if there is anything they need before I leave.

Clustering care for non intubated/sedated patients- i.e. assessment, bath, meds, resp tx.

Checking lab orders at beginning of shift and placing necessary supplies in individual bags and on clip board.

Ordering gtts from pharmacy at the beginning of shift based on anticipated usage.

Making a wish list of what needs to get done

Lots of other little things but these are the basics. :) Ivanna

[Caffeine_IV]

-Checking my charts after I do walking rounds to ensure that orders have been scanned and processed. I hate to JUST see an order for a test or abx that could have been done earlier at 0100.

-Have all of my supplies on hand. Scissors, carpujet, all 3 types of tape etc

-I make lists. If I'm doing rounds and getting multiple requests I must have a list so I'm not making double trips.

-Anticipating needs. Got a clock watcher..have that pain med ready. I always have a few packs of crackers and peanut butter and 2-3 juice containers on my cart during night med pass. Someone usually wants a snack OR being offered one makes them feel nice.

-Walking rounds. As much as people hate them, I'm grown to like them. It lets me meet the patient and buys me time to handle some beginning of shift duties without them thinking their nurse has deserted them.

-When I'm getting a new admit I get as much done as possible before they come...have IV fluids in the room, ice water and after hours tray (they're always hungry lol), careplans done