Help! Graduate Nurse looking for Time Management suggestions

[birdy1959]

Hi all,

Not only am I new to allnurses, I'm a new graduate nurse, as well. I work on a step-down ICU (nights), with a 3-4 pt ratio. I have had orientation on days (5 weeks), and am now in orientation on my new shift - nights. I have tried to follow the suggestions that my preceptors have given (both different from each other), but I always seem to be behind. I make check-lists to remind myself what I need to do, but it always seems like even the simple things take me forever to accomplish:cry: I am suffering from major lack of confidence right now, and I second guess myself on everything which doesn't help with getting tasks completed quickly. Any suggestions from?? Thank you!

[tykedelight]

Use thought imagery to replay your experiences throughout the work day. Do this every evening. The benefit will soon be revealed to you all on its own. Be objective in thought and creative.

[vashtee, RN]

You might try wearing one of those unattractive little fanny-packs (or some sort of equivelent) stocked with nurse-stuff, which may reduce the number of times you are running back and forth for commonly used supplies.

[CooL B8B]

I suggest u get yourself a daily planner or just make one if it is not available in your hospital. I always make my plan after handover to prevent me from forgetting my task for that shift. I make it in a way that I can easily recognize the most important things to be accomplish first. I use my red pen to write the time when meds are due (so it stands out clearly) and just my black pen for observations etc. I also use red pen to make myself aware of the pt's condition. As an example, when they are tachycardic, hypertensive, febrile etc. And yes, u need to have a some sort of a bag to put around your waist as this will save you TIME! I hope this helps.

[MMARN, BSN, RN]

The fanny pack idea is not a bad one! Lots of nurses have something like that. I have a clipboard that opens and I can stick TONS of things in there. My method involves lots of highlighters and columns. lol. Before and after I get report, I write down in my left hand columns the important things about the patients, then on the right hand columns, I write down the things I have to do. The most important ones, I make sure to highlight with bright yellow. On the bottom right corner of the right columns, I write my med pass times with boxes next to them so I can check them off as I go. It's a lot less complicated than it sounds, but it works for me. You'll find your own niche soon, and time management will come with time. I've managed to be able to take my morning break and lunch without having much to do before and after them. To be honest, it takes time to manage it. You'll be fine, you'll see. :)