Managing Time

[Kristen Forti]

Hi,

I am in my third year of nursing school and I find that something that can be very difficult is managing time and getting everything done that needs to be. I've often heard that you don't have time to chart right away after you do whatever it is that needs to be charted. I find getting assessments done and trying to chart it in a timely manner is sometimes difficult, especially when the patient has family or friends in the room or they do not want you in the room.

My question is...as a nurse how do you manage your time? How do you remember the things to chart if you do not do them right away? Any hints or tips on what you do to manage time and get your job done? Also, I get very flustered and nervous when the patient has family or friends in the room and when they tell me they do not want me in the room I feel like I do not want to go back in. How could I overcome this and manage patient care with family or friends in the patients room or when the patient does not want me in the room?

Any feedback would be geatly appreciated!

Thank You! :)

[smitty10]

i work midnights, so when i start my shift, i introduce myself, quick scan the room, if there are visitors there, i will come back to do my assessment just as long as the pt. is not in any distress. that might be a little difficult to do if your on days, but the more you do it the better your routine will develop. as far as the charting when you do something, you will find it is best, you just have to develop and master the skill!

[Rodoon, BSN, MSN, RN]

I introduced myself, asked about general complaints, and did my assessment so I'd have a baseline to go on. Experienced nurses can do this fast. Depending on the number of patients I had, I had no problem asking visitors if they would allow me to do my job. They want to see a nurse in action IMO. Of course, you use sheets or pull the curtain to maintain privacy. If the patient goes downhill and you didn't chart the baseline, it looks like you have no idea of his condition and that you didn't in fact ever look in on him. Don't get in the habit of putting off the basics.

For family that don't what you there: Look the patient in the eye and state, "I need five or ten minutes to keep you healthy. Force them to ask visitors to step aside. Also, this is the moment to mention you can't give medicines including pain medicines until the assessment is done. If the patient is out of it explain to the visitors, "I'm sorry I don't mean to be rude but your....is my responsiblity and I have my work to do. Allow them to stay, work fast and thank them before leaving. Don't let fear of a family or friends keep you from doing your job.

Communication is essential to the job; learn to make it work for you.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

The family don't want u in the room? Well sweetie pie, you are going to have to be more assertive than slinking away when family say this to you, to get ur job done. TELL them ur in charge, politely, not them. U have ur job to do, if they don't like it, they can leave. I ask them all to step out anway, cos u end up tripping over people. Sounds like this is part of ur time management problem.

Some tips:

-Get notes/documentation done early, you can always add stuff on later. Do this as soon as you have assessed & talke to ur patients.

- Use a cheat sheet & write down EVERYTHING u need to, then u can cross it off.

- Prioritise, get the important things done first, then handover the rest. This is what nursing is about - handing over what you haven't done. Sure nurses will moan & groan about it, but it's part of the job. If they don't like it, tell them to find another job.

- Don't let people manipulate your time. Your time is as valuable as theirs. You need to stand up for yourself.

There are many threads on here re time management. Just use the box up top.