New MedSurg nurse-seeking advice

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Hi everyone, just wanted to introduce myself...I'm new to participating in discussions/postings but have been registered for about 2yrs. I've found the discussions to be quite helpful in many ways and think it's great that we nurses have a way to connect and communicate 24/7!

I'm an LPN grad May 09 and recently got my first hospital job on MedSurg this past December. I started out in doctors offices, first was a pediatric practice for about 9 mos then a pulmonary office for 1 year. It's a whole new world on a medsurg unit, especially with no prior hospital experience but i truly want to be where i can utilize my nursing skills and grow in my nursing career. I have to say, it's the most challenging job I've ever had but Im staying positive and hope it gets better/easier with time...It has to.

My biggest obstacle at this point is finding a better way to stay organized in keeping up with the details/assessments/orders & lab results etc. of each of my patients, usually have 5-6. I'm looking for advice on a good format/outline to use as a reference where I can quickly write down/view and use this info throughout my shift. I've tried about 3-4 different ones but I still seem to end up rummaging through my papers constantly to keep it straight, they just aren't working. Anyone have any good ideas you can share that will help me with this? Any advice is appreciated!

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If you do a search on this site for "brain sheet", "organizer", "time management" etc... you'll find lots of examples.

I work on med-surg floor (nights), and went thru numerous formats before I found that a 4x6 note card for each pt works best. I have 7-8 patients at a time.

Attached is what I use; I print it in advance at home. Saves me time writing at work. I buy the index cards in bulk at the dollar store.

NoteCard_4x6_C.doc

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:grpwlcm: You might want to post this elsewhere on the site for more responses.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Hi and welcome to the site

Moved to the med/sug forum

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Thanks for the info, much appreciated!! :)

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Specializes in ABMT.

I really like your brain sheet, bootheel.bld. What are D, A, E, & VTE?

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Glad you like it.

D=Diet, A=Activity, E=Elimination (Brief, Incont, Foley...), VTE=Venous Thromboembolism (i.e. SCD's, TEDs)

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I use a three-ring binder with dividers & pockets (we still paper chart!) and post-it notes! I love post-it's, even keep a pack in my pocket for jotting down vital signs, etc.

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Thanks! I actually did make a binder and added some info that I thought may come in handy during my shift and I love it:) I also finally made a "brain sheet" that works very well for me. I'll attach it for anyone who may be interested as soon as I figure out how to attach files on here...:confused:

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Specializes in Med-Surge, ER, GI Lab/Scopes.

The nurses on my unit have an alarm set on their phones that notifies them when blood sugars need to be taken.

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Specializes in Med-Surge, ER, GI Lab/Scopes.

Also, a four color pen comes in handy..green for meds, blue for labs, red for Tx's, etc. Routine is the best overall timesaver for me.

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The nurses on my unit have an alarm set on their phones that notifies them when blood sugars need to be taken.

This sounds like a good idea. I wondered if nurses did this.

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