Published Mar 6, 2008
byswe0525
2 Posts
Organization and time management are critical factors that make up a good nurse. Is there any advice or tools available that would help me or others be more organized and manage time better?
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
I carry a notebook around me. Before my shift begins, I create a "To Do" list of all tasks that must be accomplished before the shift ends.
I worked on the rehab unit of a nursing home for 2 years, and I typically cared for about 15 patients. We tended to deal with elderly patients who were recovering from knee and hip arthroplasties, back surgeries, CVAs, post MIs, debility, thromboembolectomies, CABGs, and other assorted issues. Anyway, here is how I organized for the day. I worked 16 hour shifts, from 6am to 10pm. At the beginning of the shift, I went through the MARs and TARs with a fine tooth comb and, as I browsed, I jotted down the things that needed to be done in my notebook. My notebook was how I organized the rest of the day, and I usually didn't forget to do anything. Here is how a recent notebook page looked (names have been changed due to HIPAA):
3-6-2008
DIABETICS, FINGERSTICKS: Agnes (BID), Agatha (AC & HS), Bill (AC & HS), Wendy (AC & HS), Rex (BID), Jack (BID), Esther (AC & HS), Margie (0600, 1200, 1800, 2400)
NEBULIZERS: Margie, Esther, Bill, Jack, Jane
WOUND TREATMENTS: Jane, Bill, John, Jack, Lillian, Rose, Lucille
IV THERAPY: Wendy (Vancomycin), Laura (Flagyl), Rex (ProcAlamine)
COUMADINS: Agnes, Agatha, John, Lucille
INJECTIONS: Agnes (lovenox), Jane (arixtra), Rex (heparin), Bill (70/30 insulin), Esther (lantus), Mary (vitamin B12 shot)
ANTIBIOTICS: Wendy (wound), Laura (C-diff), Rex (pneumonia), Agatha (MRSA)
1200, 1300, 1400 meds: Margie, June, Rose, John, Jane, Jack
1600, 1700, 1800 meds: Rose, John, Rex, Lucille, Lillian, Laura
REMINDERS: assessments due on Agatha, Jill, and Louise; restock the cart; fill all holes in the MAR; follow up on Jane's recent fall, fax all labs to Dr. Smith before I leave, order a CBC on Rex...
Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN
721 Posts
Plan out your day, reassessing every few hours to see if the plan has changed. Don't forget to plan in time for eating and lavatory breaks!
When I was new, I'd write sticky notes and place them on the sheet I used to take report on. Now I just manage my time mentally - but I've had lots of practice.
Good luck. Time management comes with experience.
Blee
nservice
119 Posts
I use the CURE approach when teaching time management / prioritization.
C = Critical
U = Urgent
R = Routine
E = Extras
Of course the key is to constantly re-evaluate. Often times, new graduates are very task oriented and their stress level rises when something happens to throw off their schedule of tasks. Ask yourself, "What can wait 30 minutes?" What can wait and hour? What can be delegated? When should I ask for help? It's a skill in itself to be able to prioritize and it takes practice.
imanedrn
547 Posts
THank God, there is hope! I'm a new grad and a nervous wreck to boot! I've never had trouble with time management before. Now, I DREAD going to work because I'm terrified. I know things will get done, I just don't like waiting 'til the end of my shift and having to eat "lunch" at 4 pm.
I know there's hope for the future... but I can't see the forest through the trees
I use the CURE approach when teaching time management / prioritization.C = CriticalU = UrgentR = RoutineE = ExtrasOf course the key is to constantly re-evaluate. Often times, new graduates are very task oriented and their stress level rises when something happens to throw off their schedule of tasks. Ask yourself, "What can wait 30 minutes?" What can wait and hour? What can be delegated? When should I ask for help? It's a skill in itself to be able to prioritize and it takes practice.
YES! I am SO task oriented because that's what I've spent my whole life learning! It's so difficult to break from the tradition!
Although I know this "CURE" idea in my mind, it's such a change to think about not get "things" done but actually seeing the big picture.
2bNurseNik
202 Posts
3-6-2008DIABETICS, FINGERSTICKS: Agnes (BID), Agatha (AC & HS), Bill (AC & HS), Wendy (AC & HS), Rex (BID), Jack (BID), Esther (AC & HS), Margie (0600, 1200, 1800, 2400)NEBULIZERS: Margie, Esther, Bill, Jack, JaneWOUND TREATMENTS: Jane, Bill, John, Jack, Lillian, Rose, LucilleIV THERAPY: Wendy (Vancomycin), Laura (Flagyl), Rex (ProcAlamine)COUMADINS: Agnes, Agatha, John, LucilleINJECTIONS: Agnes (lovenox), Jane (arixtra), Rex (heparin), Bill (70/30 insulin), Esther (lantus), Mary (vitamin B12 shot)ANTIBIOTICS: Wendy (wound), Laura (C-diff), Rex (pneumonia), Agatha (MRSA)1200, 1300, 1400 meds: Margie, June, Rose, John, Jane, Jack1600, 1700, 1800 meds: Rose, John, Rex, Lucille, Lillian, LauraREMINDERS: assessments due on Agatha, Jill, and Louise; restock the cart; fill all holes in the MAR; follow up on Jane's recent fall, fax all labs to Dr. Smith before I leave, order a CBC on Rex...
That seems like a lot of patients to handle on one shift. What is a typical nurse to patient ratio?
-MNC_RN-
85 Posts
This is something I hand out to new grads. I take absolutely no credit for this, and have permission to distribute.