organization

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In clinical I have a hard time with time management. I start out ok, but at the end of the day I am totally frazzeled trying to complete all of the tasks I need to. Are there any suggestions or simular frustrations. I am feeling as though I will never get into the groove.

nurs164

1 Post

Tracy,

these things do take time. get it down to a system. do all charting asap. with any down time make sure you are all caught up

when i was in school at 1st i used a schedule 7 am assess, 8 am meds, 9 am bath etc...

save steps if you have multiple pt's make sure you gather all your stuff at once

it's all trial and error to find what works best for you. the important thing is safe, effective care.

if i can be of further help e-mail me i am a new grad. getting ready to take boards

.

Laura12

2 Posts

I was a very disorganized SN, when in my clinical rotations until my clinical instructor showed me how to prioritize. Ask for some suggestions from your instructor. I personally would get a piece of paper and make times on the left hand margin then write next to the times what I felt should be done in that time. Of course don't over due it You can't expect to have AM care, meds and assessment for 4 patients done in 2 hours. First start off w/ repost, then take time to review necessary card -x to see what is required for this client, i.e TPR q/ 2h or what ever. Then assess, then any meds due.. Remember check hospital policy, most will let you have 1/2 hour before an 1/2 hour after actual time a med is due. But try not to get into the habit of giving meds 1/2 hour after due cause if an emergency arises then you may be sunk.

If you need any additional suggestions email me and relax, have fun and DON"T be afraid to ask questions

glog

8 Posts

Tracy, don't fret! Even as a new grad you will need time to develop organization skills. Experienced nurses have told me that it takes a new grad about 9 months before they have good organization skills. The hardest time I had is when I had to take on 7 patients in my last semester on the med-surg rehab floor. I will never forget that day and my patients. The following were the patients problems: new amputation, newly diagnosed diabetic, 1 day post op hip replacement, 2 oncology cases, 1 pnemonia, 1 -2 days post op knee replacement. By the end of the day, I was dead!!! My instructor did give me a very good suggestion... Take one large sheet of paper, put hours on the left hand side and patients names on the top row. Create a sort of a grid and put meds due, treatments etc in the grids. Check off as you go. You can even create grids to insert vitals, assessments etc. By the end of the day, this sort of flow sheet also helps you organize your notes. It kept my whole shift organized and I managed to complete what I had to do on time.

kipi

8 Posts

Tracey

I agree with all the ideas above. However you might have to stop and think whether you are using all the staff/ resources available to you. We have care assistants who can be delegated to do certain tasks and are on the whole willing to help if it is within their capabilities, also have you thought about pairing up with other staff abnd helping each other. If you are in a position to delegate try practising this it is hard at first i was frightened that I could not trust anyone else to help or they didn't do it my way but once you get over these fears it will come

nicolegrow

29 Posts

Specializes in ICU, ER, OR.

Make a flow sheet. All nurses use one. Ask for help. The staff on the floor of your clinical should help you. The goal is not only your education, but #1 the patients safety and care, so ask the nurse aids for some help, ask the patient's RN for help. Nursing is a team effort. Have you done a shadow experience? Ask for one. You can just follow a nurse for an entire shift and see what they actually do, and how they accomplish tasks through other people. Nursing school clinicals aren't very realistic, yes you learn how to perform tasks, but you haven't had a chance to orient to a floor the way a RN new hire would. You will become more efficient with time as you become more comfortable and confident with your skills.

Silverdragon102, BSN

1 Article; 39,477 Posts

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

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