Any Good Advise on Time Management for Critical Care Nurse new to unit

Ted · Feb 8, 2005

For the new grad., I guess I would simply concentrate on the basics. Be patient with yourself. Learn what you need to learn as a new grad from college. Allow yourself the time to become familiar with all of the "stuff".

Watch your preceptor closely. Hopefully he/she will have appropriate time management skills.

Also. . .

Don't wait to chart until the last minute. Chart as you go.

angelique777 · Feb 10, 2005

For the new grad., I guess I would simply concentrate on the basics. Be patient with yourself. Learn what you need to learn as a new grad from college. Allow yourself the time to become familiar with all of the "stuff".
Watch your preceptor closely. Hopefully he/she will have appropriate time management skills.
Also. . .
Don't wait to chart until the last minute. Chart as you go.

Thanks for your reply. I have a great preceptor make the experience pleasant. Your right I want to be really good and I guess that makes me impatient with myself........

Thanks again

Angela

CCU NRS · Feb 10, 2005

It is really hard to give absolute advce on time managment because things often have a way of turning you to what needs to be taken care of right now.

Like Mike said always try to keep with your charting.

We have to do a teaching/ ed sticker daily and 24 hour eval daily so I always try to get these asap. right after I assess initially I try to the 24 hour eval and then as soon as i teach something I write it on the ed sticker and it can be placed in the chart anytime. AM med my policy better sooner than later, in other words we have a one hour window around due time so I will pull my am meds as early as possible and give them with BF if possible.

That is about all I can definately say but just keep moving and watch ohters for antime saving tips you can find.

Cay Larry

snakeRN · Mar 1, 2005

With time management, there are several key things to keep in mind. First, consider ur pt assignment and which u need to see first. Always see the sickest pt first. You dont want to be coding a pt you havent seen yet. Next after assessing a pt, immediatley open ur notes on that patient. This decreases the risk of forgetting something or leaving something out. Next always look at your chart before you start your assessments. You dont wanna find something that should have beed done 2 hours before you got to work, 6 hours after you have been there. Review your medication record and check the accuracy of it against the chart. Be sure the drug you are giving is still current on the pt and hasent been discontiued. Time management is a highly individualized thing, and with a little experience, you will find what works best for you. Hope this has helped and good luck with the new job.