How do you organize your day?

Published

I am a new nurse orienting in the ICU. I feel like I am having trouble managing my time efficiently. My preceptor has been very helpful, but I would love to hear how others manage their busy days so that when unplanned things come up (as they seem to pretty much every day) you don't find yourself woefully behind. I really want to figure out a way to keep on top of everything, I feel like this is my biggest obstacle to success in the ICU right now.

Specializes in ICU (hearts,trauma,NICU, PICU, ER).

To all the new ICU Nurses “thanks for coming into ICU” :yeah:

I remember the day’s of the “charts & the papers”. I wanted to pull my hair out. :uhoh21:

I used an hourly chart for my VS, I&O, FS, Drips, Assessment etc. I really needed something so I could remember what it was I needed to do when I 1st started on the ICU. I would get lost or behind if I didn’t have them. I still have them on my hard drive. If you need them give an email & I’ll send them to you.

It did help me out but as I looked back it also slowed me down but it helped with organization & getting all the vital information documented. I made them for myself.

The good news is with experience & time your time management skills start doing better. But they’ll still be days that you’ll always be behind b/c the pt’s so critical you don’t have enough time to get the paper work done expect for you hourly I&O’s & VS b/c you’re providing direct nursing care.

ADVISE: don’t get behind on I & O’s or VS. The MD’s depend on that.

With time you’ll see the sheets disappear. I don’t use them anymore. I guess the info is locked in the “brain”. I do however still carry my “Kathy White” & my tiny green med book with all my drips. I took them to Iraq with me & they came in handy.

I don’t carry paper around anymore unless in’s my Med sheet & my H&P.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MICU/SICU.
One of my keys to organization is having a good 'brain' that has all of your critical information, as well as blanks for meds, notes, etc. I have made one I really like.

If you need one, PM me.

Sorry, I may be undercaffeinated, but what do you mean by "brain", and can I have one, too?

:nuke:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MICU/SICU.
I know what you are talking about. I am a new nurse to MICU and I too am having a problem with organizing. My preceptor is not that organized either so I guess that doesn't help. She is very knowledgable but that is about it. Any suggestions?

ME, TOO!!!!! I'm having the same problem. I hope Kolt shares his brain! (lol)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MICU/SICU.

Poor Kolt!!!! He'll rue the day he offered his brain!:lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Can I have "brain" too. Thank you in advance:wink2::bow:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It must be a great sheet, can I have one too:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MICU/SICU.

Kolt, you still there???:typing Did we make you run away? (lol)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey Kolt....same message as everyone else haha

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult ER, Medical ICU.

Kolt, could you please send me a copy of your sheet as well? I am orienting in MICU right now and trying to find a good, consistent way to manage info. For now I use the back of the report sheet or an index card for meds etc.

Thanks in advance.

-M

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

Hm. All this "brain" talk has me wondering something. Don't most ICU's use a flowsheet? I wouldn't dream of writing anything on a cheat sheet/brain that was already on the flowsheet, like vitals, I/O's, etc.

The other thing that is helpful is that our unit has a foldy clipboard thing where we put flowsheet on top, MAR inside and on left inside, have whatever other papers apply, like restraint flowsheets, etc. Or reminders to collect specimens. So I quit having a clipboard of my own because if we are full there are enough clipboard things all over the place and I don't need to keep losing mine. I've been using a pocketmod format that I made with 6 custom pages and the front and back are generic blank tables, for notes on AM labs, and other extraneous stuff to suddenly write down.

Pocketmod is www.pocketmod.com. Check it out :-) I don't know how well it will work for the floor, a nurse I work with took some and said she'd get back to me on that.

So for now the thing in my pocket is less of a guide to how to organize the shift and more of a "what to tell next shift" thing. I take report on it. Then at around 0600 when I'm doing end of shift charting I write on it in red the changes, and my verbal report comes out fairly sensible and coherent. I can not stand half-orificed report! Trends are really important!

So I like to say for example, yesterday in daytime urine output was this, last night it was that, please have doc address the falling UOP. It's nice to show that you know what's been going on beyond just that one shift.

/rant off

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is a flow sheet that I'm using. I've adapted it from a flow sheet that someone else posted here.

I use the first sheet when I'm getting report. I later add my own assessments in a different color. The second sheet, is a to do list, I cut it so it's about 4" and I attach it to the first page of my Patient summary( individual Kardex with meds, and orders). I stick it with tape on the top so that I can fold it over when I need to.I keep adding to this list as things come up.

Flow sheet.doc

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You have a long list of wants here Kolt.

Hope you have the time for me too. I'm a nursing student feeling a little overwhelmed. I'm a good organizer when I can get the whole picture. The pieces are coming too slowly for me. Would you please email me?? your brain also, new to this site not sure how to get the info from you.

It would be greatly appreciated and shared with others in my class.

Thank you in advance! :saint:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion