Plan of Attack

I get to work early, up to 30 minutes, organize all my papers and then get report. After that I look over orders and quickly, mentally, prioritize my patients and then start.

Best of luck, and remember we all have our own process, and yours will eventually surface :)

Tait

Getting there a little early definitely helps. I find that it helps me relax a little bit and not feel as harried. I try to get there about 15 minutes before report starts.

The first thing I do is get on the computer. I turn my report sheet to the blank side and divide it into 5 horizontal columns (we usually have 5 pt's). On the left side of each column I write the pt's name and room number. On the right side of the column I write this:

Labs

7

9

11

13

15

17

I+O

I go ahead and check AM labs on each patient, crossing out "Labs" after I do this, and making a note to myself of any pertinent abnormals especially if they need to be called--if night shift didn't take care of it already. The numbers are the times of the day I chart (we chart Q 2 hr) and I cross those off through the day after I do it.

In the middle of the column, I write down all the pt's meds due for my shift as well as accuchecks like this:

1300 Zosyn

1700 Accuchek

1800 Vanc

And so forth.

Any other misc task like dsg change or IV restart that doesn't really have a certain time, just that I need to do it sometime today, I write somewhere in the column and circle it.

this is just my system! I have kind of just picked up tricks from other nurses as I went along. You will find your own system that works, too. Good luck!!

I have a cover sheet so to speak that I staple to my Kardexs. Instead of making a grid or whatever else on all my pts sheet, I have a one sheet form that I developed. I work overnight and fine tuned it to fit what I need to do. I chart alot as I go and write down what needs to be charted on the form. As I chart off the sheet I place a red line through it. By the time I am finished I can look back and see what I have done. I do not have to flip thru papers unless looking for specific pt info. I do this plus what some of what other posters say.

It took me over a year to find my way. You will get there.

Thanks for sharing! I've noticed these little tricks make a big difference in how "ahead" or "behind" you get. I appreciate ya'll sharing secrets.