Share some of your organization tips

Chaya, ASN, RN · Jul 8, 2004

One thing that has really helped me both with reporting off to the next shift(and as a double check that I got everything done) has been to designate a portion of my notes to things I have to report to the next shift. As I am taking report, I will immediately note things there,like if the pt has a foley, IV access or needs a blood sugar done. When I give a PRN I note it in this section of my notes at the same time. By the end of the shift, my notes for report are ready to go.

jschut, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2004

Organization? Ummm... maybe for the first month! LOL!

No seriously. How about one of those accordion thingys that you can store papers in?

Or...The clear sheets that can be put in a notebook. I did that in LPN school, and it worked well..

Any other ideas anyone? I'm sure open to organization suggestions too!

J Lynn · Jul 8, 2004

Since I'm fresh out of school, let me see if I can help.

Some students had a notebook for every subject and along with the 10 text books we had, that seemed ridiculous. I started the first day of school with a binder that I could close up. It had fabric. Bought it at Wal-Mart. Anyway, I had subject dividers and loose leaf paper and the binder had pockets to store papers that I couldn't punch holes in right away. Also, buy a 3 hole punch and a stapler. DON'T bring it to school, everyone will use them. When you get home, you can organize everything then.

I also had a calendar that I could right on so that I could keep track of days off and test days and when things were due. I also had a backpack with lots of pockets filled with highlighters, pencils, pens, gum, coughdrops, loose coins, pads, liquid paper......ummmm. I think that's it. I hope this helps.

lisamc1RN, LPN · Jul 8, 2004

Since I'm fresh out of school, let me see if I can help.
Some students had a notebook for every subject and along with the 10 text books we had, that seemed ridiculous. I started the first day of school with a binder that I could close up. It had fabric. Bought it at Wal-Mart. Anyway, I had subject dividers and loose leaf paper and the binder had pockets to store papers that I couldn't punch holes in right away. Also, buy a 3 hole punch and a stapler. DON'T bring it to school, everyone will use them. When you get home, you can organize everything then.
I also had a calendar that I could right on so that I could keep track of days off and test days and when things were due. I also had a backpack with lots of pockets filled with highlighters, pencils, pens, gum, coughdrops, loose coins, pads, liquid paper......ummmm. I think that's it. I hope this helps.

I'm doing everything that you have suggested, except that I have a 3 hole punch that has 3 holes in it and fits in my binder! This is what was suggested for us to do at our orientation. These hole punches that fit in a binder are about $2.50 at Wal-Mart, and they can punch about 3 papers at a time. :)

J Lynn · Jul 8, 2004

Some students had that kind of punch that fits in the binder and the only bad thing about it is that all the little holes go all over the floor. We were actually respondible for cleaning up our own classroom. So, you may find that aggravating. They also seem to stick and you have to pry it from the paper. Try it before school start and see how you like it..........Wal-Mart sells one that is around $6. It's a table top one, but much easier to work with.