Forgetful (help)

Nurses New Nurse

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Specializes in CVICU, ER.

Hi, I'm a new grad, been in orientation for 9 weeks, coming off in 5 in a CVICU.

I'm getting the patho, and understanding the complex patients, I've never had problems with that, but I just keep Forgetting things. It drives me insane.

I worked last night, and I Forgot to give one patient his last med (It couldn't be given within an hour of the 6 am meds) by the time I had given report and wrapped up charting, it completely slipped my mind.

I called the day shift nurse and told her about it, and she was fine with it, but honestly, I don't know what to do about this.

I've tried: making an organization sheet broken down hour by hour, and writing down what I need to do that hour, and simply writing down stuff I need to get from the supply room on a paper towel before I go in there, but sometimes there just isn't time to sit down and write stuff down.

I just can't keep it all in my head.

Any tips/ideas/mental games or exercises I can try?

Thanks in advance!

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re: forgetting meds, i have found it helpful to flag the pages that i'll be needing.

something as simple as that, has saved my hide many-a-time.

best of everything.

leslie

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Specializes in Pediatrics Only.

My take on forgetting things:

I write it down on my report sheet, and as I complete things they get checked off or crossed off. I have separate columns for meds for both scheduled and PRN.

At the end of the shift I check my chart, compare to my report sheet, and complete anything I may have forgotten. Only then does the room number get crossed out on my list to signify that I am completely done with that patient. I find it helpful b/c this way I'm not going back to see if I charted something. If I cross off the rm #, its done.

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
My take on forgetting things:

I write it down on my report sheet, and as I complete things they get checked off or crossed off. I have separate columns for meds for both scheduled and PRN.

At the end of the shift I check my chart, compare to my report sheet, and complete anything I may have forgotten. Only then does the room number get crossed out on my list to signify that I am completely done with that patient. I find it helpful b/c this way I'm not going back to see if I charted something. If I cross off the rm #, its done.

Meghan I am also afraid of my aging forgetfulness as a new grad. I start my orientation tomorrow! Would you be willing to share via attachment what this organizational chart of yours looks like? I've been reading your threads and not only are you compassionate towards us newbies, you are also so calm. This must come with good organizational skills and time management. I could learn a lot from you!

Thank you

Chloe:nurse:

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Specializes in Pediatrics Only.
meghan i am also afraid of my aging forgetfulness as a new grad. i start my orientation tomorrow! would you be willing to share via attachment what this organizational chart of yours looks like? i've been reading your threads and not only are you compassionate towards us newbies, you are also so calm. this must come with good organizational skills and time management. i could learn a lot from you!

thank you

chloe:nurse:

why thank you chloe!! that means alot to me :)

how i do my report sheet is i take the back of our census (the sheet that has every patient name, room #, etc on it), and i write out seperate columns on there.

my best friend actually has hers made up on the computer, which i tried but i found it easier some days to make my own. i'll have to see if i can find one on the computer for you.

if not, they are easy to make and then create numerous copies of.

start with a blank page horizontally. have 2 rows. first row should have these columns:

column 1: patient name, rm #, dr, and diagnosis

column 2: respiratory

column 3: gi

column 4: new orders

column 5: meds *place allergies at top of this column in red*

row 2: (heres where you need to tailor this to your unit)

column 1: gu/i &o's

column 2: dressing/cast/wound care

column 3: you can combine the next 2 columns into one and use

column 4: an hourly format to chart what you did each hour

column 5: freebie column! or, continue with above idea if room is

needed. or, tailor this to your unit

when you are finished with each task (say, at 9am you needed to do a dressing change), cross off the task or place a colored check mark next to it.

when you finish charting on that patient cross off each section. you charted your i's & o's, great!! check off that column so you know you are done with it.

when you completely finish charting on that patient for the shift, cross off their name or room number. make sure you checked all your columns and make sure they each have a check mark next to them and then once you check off the name or rm number, you know you have completed everything.

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another way to try charting is to create an hourly format on your paper then to write down each required task next to the time.

ie:

time: (create also a completed column)

0800 give iv lasix (check mark under completed column)

0900

1000 dressing change

1100

1200 called md for tylenol order, pt temp 102.3. tylenol given @ 1215.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

i hope the above 2 options help. i honestly think the best thing to do it to create one yourself, and that way you have enough space in each column for what you need, and you can make it specific to your unit. for instance, if you work with ventilators daily, you may want a specific box for vent settings and changes.

good luck to both of you with orientation, and chloe, best of luck with starting orientation today! you'll do wonderfully!

-meghan

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.

Thanks Meghan, you're a doll for getting all that written up. I thought you would have already had a template on your computer that you could have attached. What a lot of work you went to to write that all out. You are so sweet!! :flowersfo

I'm going to have to discipline myself to not be the class geek I once was and write EVERYTHING down. It gets confusing to this ole ADD brain of mine. Hopefully I can manage my rows and columns and not put any erroneous info on there. Too bad I turned my color ink jet printer into a laser B/W printer.

Oh yea, I can still use my highlighters that haven't dried out fr NS! LOL

HUGS!:icon_hug:

Chloe, RN-BSN (tee hee just tryin it out!!)

:nurse:

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Specializes in MICU/SICU.

Thanks, from me, too, Meghan....I'm graduating in December. Will definitely try your style!

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