help w/ organizing time

i feel the exact same way.

sometimes i feel like a chicken with my head cut off because i'm running around so much. but a lot of the experienced nurses are doing the same thing, but they have 5-6 patients. I think with experience we'll get faster.

ive been hired on a med/surg floor that ive been on for 3 weeks now, we are with a preceptor and are supposed to work our way up to 6 pts. right now im caring for 3 and i am running all day! at the moment i sart my day by looking in on my assigned pts., get report, check labs, do my assesments and chart in the bedside book ( this is where we chart our assesments) and than i start meds. our hosp. uses the computerized med administration which makes things easier, but between missing meds and pt. requests for things i end up giving meds late which sets me back on checking for new md orders and calling mds for pertinent stuff. just looking for advice on organizing my day or even just my morning!

Sounds like you've got a good system down and the only advice that I have to offer is when the patients are requesting things if it is something that the aid can get them or help them with don't be afraid to utilize them. Or if it is non emergent things that will just require you, set up a time to go back. If you explain to most patients that you are in the middle of a med pass they are understanding on waiting as long as you keep your word. Other than this just know that things will get better with time. But somedays all nurses are running around like chickens with their heads cutoff!!

Keep up the good work!

Hi,

I have been on the floor as a new nurse for almost 5 months now. One big realization that has helped me is to go into the patients room the least number of times possible. I am not being mean or non-therapeutic, but I have learned that alot of the times (I work in med surg) especially the elderly pts., it is SO HARD to get out of the room because they will talk and talk and talk. I love talking to my patients, but realistically don't always have the time. So I have found that I make less frequent visits and then have the time to talk for a minute while doing care. The longer you are on the floor, the easier it will be for you to group things together.

The other things that was hard for me to get used to is even with the best laid plan, things go haywire ALOT. So as soon as I am finished with report, I hit the ground running, go see my patient, take their vitals and do my initial assessments. If I can possibly open my charts (we do paper charting) right after my assessments--then I am caught up with the big initial charting--the rest is easy to keep up.

And lastly, as time goes on I have learned what true "priorities" are--most of the time all of your patients need something--and my patients all think their needs are top priority. So, just like in nursing school, ABC stable?, then pain, etc. etc. Alot of the "running around like a chicken with my head cut off" for me was a result of reacting to my patients every whim/complaint. I am slowly realizing that I am the nurse with the skills to help my patients recover.

And last but not least the "do it now" principle. If I am free I pass meds the minute my half hour window of time comes to pass them. Resiting IV's (my most dreaded skill) are done as soon as I have the time, because "later may never come"

Some nights, though I still find myself overwhelmed when things go out of whack.

Being on the floor only three weeks, it sounds like your doing great!! Its scary, and challenging to be a nurse. As time passes, I realize that what we learn in school is perfect theory, and floor nursing requires constant adjustments to deal with the ever increasing demands.

Orientation is hard! My first few months afterwards were a tad stressful too. But you do learn how to make it easier. You have to learn what works for you. Now when I go in at the start of my shift , I bring ice water, linens ,whatever iv fluids are ordered and do my assessments and ask the patient about their concerns, questions ,etc.. That works for me, anticipating what the pt may want so I do not have to run in and out of the room.I also start my med pass as soon as I can because something always comes up during it. It will work out for you....give it more time. I don't think it is easy for anyone as a new grad on a med/surg floor.

Best wishes