Time management in clinical

[nanadarsa]

Hello, I have a question. During clinical placement, I had to care for three patients for first time. My shift started at 7am and had to get my chartings done by 8. I got a red flag today since I couldn't get my charting done on time. Professor lectured me about time management, and for next week, he expects me to perform my head to toe assessments, and am care on 3 patients within an hour!!!!! I told my professor that it's literally impossible but he disagreed with me. To the nurses, how can you care for atleast 4-5 patients, and get your charting and assessments done in an hour or 2 since start of your shift??? I need help with time management because i personally dont think i can get vitals, assessments and do morning care within an hour. Also, most of the patients are complete care.

[Bedside_Life RN]

So provide a detailed breakdown of the requirements you are going to be assessed on and the time limit that they are required to be completed in.

It is head to toe on three patients and AM care. What is the AM care that you are referring to?

[StudentOfHealing]

I get report @ 630am

Report and bedside introductions end around 7:15am

I get my meds ready for all patients look at labs and read the docs notes... done around 735am

I assess each patient done around 8:00

----- this is how much he wants you to have done in an hour... it took me about 1.5 hours except I didn't do vitals or daily cares if I had to do that I'd finish in 2 hours. Of course I step up to daily cares but considering the CNA cannot hang a zosyn or push Fantinyl ... I have to delegate.

Rest of my day ...

Start meds around 8am... finish around 9am.

Chart all my assessments and any care I gave and I usually finish by 9:40am.

At this time I round again. Round with my PCTs. Round with the residents and attending on my patients.

However here are some tips.

Make a table.

3 columns and about how many every rows will represent how many hours you're there.

So

Pt 1 pt 2 pt3

0600

0700

Etc.

I can't wait to be independent enough as an RN to take on students. We'd have a jolly time of learning. =)

TIPS:

Partner up with fellow classmates. Ask the techs or CNAs to show you or teach you and help you. Never tell them to do something. It's awkward for an SN to delegate to a CNA although a skill that should be learned early.

Look for a brains sheet.

Do only what you MUST in that moment as far as daily care. Cut to the chase.

Get them to void. Get their call light ... showers? Baths? That CAN wait. Nobody died for putting off a shower a couple of hours.

Basically it comes down to prioritization.

Also ask your professor for tips. Yes ... One hour is not a lot of time for an SN but he's the gatekeeper. So ask him to enlighten you. He has the answer his wanting you to have =)

[nanadarsa]

AM care as in morning care. So bed bath/shower and oral care.

[nanadarsa]

I will prioritize :) usually what i do is i do my assessments during bed bath. But I think I will just get down to business by getting vitals, accuchecks and assessments first, and do the morning care after. Thank you for your help :)