Horrible time management... Any advice?

[TheNoviceNurse16]

I work at a hospital working in the long term acute care unit. This is my first healthcare job and I'm really having a hard time. But not with charting or taking care of the patient... But with my time management. I worked today and was SOOOOO far behind. Luckily all the nurses were understanding and they didn't chew me out. I didn't put in 12 o clock vitals until 2ish and 4 o clock vitals in until 6 thus making me clock out late. Anyone ever had this problem when they first started working in healthcare? Any thoughts or encouraging words are appreciated because I'm feeling so down

[i_love_patient_care]

I've worked in that setting. If you have a portable computer available, use it. Chart the vitals as you take them. Writing them down, and then charting them later can take more time. As far as time management goes, it's going to take some time to get used to what your duties are. Good luck!

[JDZ344]

Charting the vitals late is never a good thing; if something happens to the patient during that time and it appears no vitals have been taken for some time, the outcome will not be good. Input them as soon as you take them.

What were you busy doing that you couldn't chart them right away? Let us know and we may be able to give you specific tips.

[DalekRN]

Can you start sooner? The aides on my unit sometimes write the vitals on an individual card for each res then it is easy to quickly chart them. And you know the vitals parameters right? You can just immediately tell an RN if something is too high or low, or close to too high or low. You will get faster.

[havehope]

Time management is so important in health care. For me, I write out a check list to keep me on time. Of course, you will have days where it's too busy to go by exactly what I have. It's been a lifesaver for me because, I know I haven't forgot to do something. Time management also comes with experience too. I've been a CNA for a little over a year now and it took me at least 6 months or so to become good/confident with time management and my skills in general.

[TheNoviceNurse16]

The reason I was charting so late was because we had 5 admissions that day, plus I had about two patients who lived on the call bell. Another CNA told me to ignore it, but I got in healthcare for a reason... To take care of people. So I went to answer every time the rung the call bell. Then about 3 of my patients were feeders and I had to basically persuade one to eat. It was just a mess!

[shortlilgirl02]

How many patients do they have you taking care of by yourself? While time management skills come with experience, unfortunately we all have days where we sink more than swim. Is there a way to answer the lights outside of the room, such as a call light system at the desk? When I have patients who are constantly calling me down the hallway, I either answer the light at the desk to determine what is needed, or double-team the patient with another staff member - they answer one time, then I answer one time. Another thing you might find yourself doing is setting up a rescue phone call of sorts, telling another staff member that if they haven't seen you in __ minutes, to call your phone and give you an excuse to step out.

For admissions, what is your responsibility with the patients? Where I work, it's the job of the CNA to get a weight, vitals, and make the patient comfortable. Usually the secretary or charge nurse puts in orders. I usually set up the room prior to patient arrival, which takes me two or three minutes. I always carry a "brain" with me - my sheet of patient names, where I write important info (drains, ambulation ability or how much assist they need, diet, blood sugars, and bed alarms.) I also keep track of other things I need to know throughout the shift on my paper, crossing them off as completed - such as d/c foley in 32 by 6, recheck BS 4 am in 12, female admit remote tele in 25. As with everything else, it really does take time to find your own way of doing things to make your days go smooth.