Multitasking, Critical Thinking & Tunnel Vision

[Missleigh14]

I have just started working at a an outpatient GI facility and just had a review to check in how I'm progressing. I've been working as an RN for 9 months, but just recently transitioned from a TCC to the GI clinic. In my review I was told my nursing skills individually are great, but I'm not so good at multitasking. I've been feeling doubtful of my skills as of late, but I keep telling myself I'm a new nurse and its normal to feel doubtful. I've been reading articles and searching for solutions to help with my "tunnel vision" so to speak, but I'm not coming up with much. Any advice about how to help with this transition would be much appreciated. I love my job and would hate to have to move on because I couldn't figure out how to step it up. I know as a new grad it's expected for us to be a little slower, but I know I'm not progressing fast enough for this fast paced environment.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I think that what you are feeling is completely normal. Time is the biggest answer to your question. The more experience you have the better you will get at multitasking and seeing the bigger picture.

Being a nurse takes a fine balance between checking tasks off the list and knowing when to take a closer look or when to question.

It's important to be goal directed and to constantly prioritize. At the start of the day decide on a particular item which you will focus on improving. Breaking things down makes it much easier.

Also, observe the other nurses you work with and see if you can adopt some of their practices.

Take a look at yourself and see if there is anything in particular that is slowing you down. Are you talking with your patients too much? Are you not gathering all the necessary supplies before starting a task? Multitasking is not always about doing 5 things at once. Sometimes it's about doing 5 things at a time, completely, but in quick succession.