Administration vs Interaction

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi all! I'm a new nursing student and after a few weeks of learning, I'm curious about something. What percentage of time would you say you spend interacting with your actual clients vs. the amount of time you spend on paperwork and documentation? I'm referring to a hospital setting.

Thank you for your input!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I work nights, and I really do feel that this makes a difference. Also our med-surg floor is primary care, meaning we have no CNA/LPNs or ancillary staff, so anything our patients want/need we do. Also how competent you are at charting makes a difference as well. I would say I spend 60% of the time with patients and 40% of the time with the patients and charts. Hopefully though the patient is asleep during that time. I try to do most of my charting/paperwork between midnight and 4am.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

make rounds q 2 hr - see patient less than 10 min usually - ends up being very little. Paperwork? Hard to say, but seems unending and seems to interfere with care

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

Well I'm in the ICU and it changes. With sick folks, I work and chart at the bedside and only leave the room for breaks. If I have walkie talkies and they need their sleep, maybe 50%.

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