New nurse seeking organizational tips from experienced nurses

[rainbowbright2]

I'm a first year nurse (still in orientation) and am seeking your most organizational tips/advice. I'm trying to get a handle on the stressful day...how your ogranize it and handle changes (especially when things come up....new doctor orders, new admits., changes in schedule, etc.).

Also, do any of you carry a clip board. I am trying to keep my sheets neat and organized but I sometimes can't find a flat surface to write on and I feel as though my sheets get a little sloppy being folded in my pocket and using my hand as a hard surface to write on. (Any quick tips as to how you organize your sheet would be helpful.)

One last silly question, do you do all your vitals (remember them) and then write them all down or do you do one or two vitals, go back to your sheet and write them down, and then continue? I feel as though I look silly going back to my sheet so much, but I seriously will forget the exact numbers if I don't do this.

So, basically, your best organizational tips (any) would be helpful.

Thanks!

[MedSurgeMess]

As a new nurse, this will take time, and you will find what works best for you. But here are some tips that I give when orienting new nurses at my hospital:

1. Prioritize, who needs you most, what times are treatments, etc

2. write all details down immediately. We ALL forget things, and depending on the situation, this could be hazardous!

3. A clipboard or 3 ring binder is appropriate

Don't stress it, you'll soon find your own rhythm which will help you stay focused. Watch the nurses you work with as well. The ones who are always behind as well as those who manage time well-you'll figure out which habits to drop really quick. Good luck.

[NurseKatie08, MSN]

I've got just under a year experience in sub-acute rehab...I do keep my "brain" on a clipboard. I'd lose it if I didn't--and for that reason my clipboard is bright pink! On my clipboard I have post-it notes taped on with important phone numbers for MDs, NPs, the pharmacy, fax numbers etc. It's been the best thing for me to not have to go through the rolodex of phone numbers at the secretaries desk to find what I need--I just carry frequently called #s with me.

As far as how I organize my brain sheet, that was the hardest thing for me to figure out when I first started. I actually use a sheet that one of my co-workers (another new grad who started the same day as me) made. It has a row for each pt, with columns for Name/Room #/Age/MD, Report, Vital Signs, Labs, Meds (here I write any PRNs I give, as well as anything high-alert or important they are on like Coumadin or antibiotics.) and a final column for treatments & notes, where I sort of write misc. stuff.

Hope this helps...you'll get into your own groove as far as how to organize your day....it's just a little rocky at first.

[beachbutterfly]

I would definitely buy myself a good quality clipboard and maybe try rnreportcard.com report sheet it is great,it can help you to get organized,also I would by an extra little notebook just in case you need to write down extra things .

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

In the beginning I had a clipboard, the kind that opens up so you can stash things. Then I went to a regular clipboard, then a sheet of paper. The point is, you will find your own way and once things are routine you will not have to write as much. Many nurses use hospital stationery (paper towels). I like to put the hours across the top and my room numbers to the side, then create a grid. I have a known-only-to-me-shorthand for MD calls, meds & procedures. To me it is impt to chart frequently and scratch stuff off my grid. Keep asking your coworkers. You will probably find multiple ideas from them. Or ask your facility's educator.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Write down your vitals as soon as they are done on your flowsheet.

A clipboard is handy only if you have a place that is yours to put it where it will not be in the way of other nurses and is where you need it.

I work in a small nursing station shared by a secretary and 5 nurses, so a clipboard will get shuffled out of everyone's way.

However, I have worked in a "pod" setup where my six rooms were grouped around my own mini nursing station, so the clipboard was useful for holding my "brains".

[trixter]

If you create your report sheet you can customize it over time. My original sheet had room for 3 patients; now it has 5. (I'm not too thrilled when I have to use a second sheet!). I also leave an empty space to write in things I verbally want to report to the next shift. The "timeline" that someone else mentioned is really useful for me. I have a vertical line to the left of a blank column represting each hour (7, 8, 9) and I circle the time that I know I have to give a med, check a blood sugar, follow-up on whether a pt has urinated spontaneously since the foley was removed.... Good luck!

[karenTRN]

I use a flip open clipboard to write on.

But my indispensible tool is I fold over my pages for my 6 pages so that I can see a small piece of each page, like holding a deck of cards.......then on each piece that i can see, I write the patient name and room number, plus "must" reminders, like AC/HS.....when I flip up to each page for that particular patient, I have all my necessary notes and labs right in front of me.......We use med carts, so my clipboard stays on it.....if I leave my cart, I take my papers with me. This way all my info is always with me, and if a MD calls me back, I have all info at my finger tips.

[dmarti24]

Thank you for posting about the rn report card. I start working on the 12th and I want to try everything and anything to help me get through my first year nursing!

Thanks again,

Dmarti24