Advice

ocean waves · Dec 31, 2010

Hello. Your description of feeling "disorganized ...when doing list of priorities" sounds like a very normal experience most of us have had during the new graduate nurse phase. The ability to make more organized lists of patient care priorities usually is learned fairly quickly with more clinical experience. On your question of "advice to help", one good resource is usually to ask for tips from experienced fellow RN's on your particular unit---as you probably know,some of the patient care priorities vary depending on the type of nursing care one is giving. When I was a new grad I felt extremely shy about asking questions. I was glad to learn that experienced nurses welcomed my questions about how to give great patient care and how to be a good team player. Best wishes!

Minnie2006 · Dec 31, 2010

I find that getting a thorough report and plotting a course of action based on pt.'s acuity prior to even starting seems to help. Don't let anyone rush you through report, checking lab results, and seeing what orders there are for the pts. Knowing ahead what you have to do saves time backtracking later. Tackle what is most pressing for each pt first then if you have time after charting clean up odds and ends that can be left to the next shift if you don't get to them. It does come with experience. It helps if there are no unforeseen situations. Good luck and Happy New Year.

RNperdiem, RN · Jan 1, 2011

Are you getting a proper lunch break most shifts?

I find the workload seems so much better with good nutrition and hydration.

caliotter3 · Jan 1, 2011

Utilize a written list and check off things as they are done. As time goes on, you will feel less and less overwhelmed as you learn to see the things you accomplish each shift.

rkitty198, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2011

I felt the same way! You are not alone!

Ideas: (of course each hospital is different)

At my facility it is easy to make copies of labs and I like to carry them around, that way if a Doc calls me on my phone I have the labs in my pocket. (I make the copies small).

If the orders are extremely long, I make a copy of them and check them off as I go.

If a patient has IV fluids running and I know they will be out during my shift, I make a label (even get the bag ready) so that way when they are out I have my label ready to put on the bag.

We do written charting- we take out the nurses notes and carry them around and put them back as we do assessments. (ancillary staff writes in other parts of the charts, so they dont need to be in the charts)

I also have a subscription to Nursing (the Journal) as it keeps me refreshed and updated on nursing care.

I keep a small phonebook of the MD's numbers with me (the office numbers) so that way if I need to call one and I am not in the station I can do that- so I dont waste time.

You will get it down! I just trained a new grad and she texted me a few months ago so scared because she felt just like you. I talked to her last week and she is doing great, she feels a lot more confident.

Dont forget always ask questions!

Good luck!