I'm trying to get into a fairly efficient groove while starting my shifts. My shifts start at 1900, but the majority of my patients don't have meds due until 2100. At or institution, we can give meds one hour before and after the time they are due.
My first assessment is done around 2000.
I'm trying to be as efficient as I can. I was waiting until 2000, (an hour into my shift) to do both meds and initial assessments for each patient. That way, I could wrap PRN pain meds they may need into their scheduled meds when I ask about pain during assessment. Sort of a 'one stop shop' method, I suppose. The problem here is that this seems to take awhile.
Some nurses, upon arrival to the floor, see each patient briefly and ask if they need anything OR do their assessment then and return around 2100 to give meds. To me, this seems like it would be slower since patients would likely ask for pain meds (or any other PRN) at this time, thus creating a situation where the RN would need to return to give scheduled meds.
I know it is about the patient and not about me, but I'm just trying to build a certain amount of efficiency into my shift.
