Prioritizing??Need Help

[dcoffee]

I've worked as an LVN since Nov. 2005 I need some help with time!!

Today I had a woman rip her G tube out at 1215, The site appears infected, red, inflammed, she's combative, I have to get an order for PRN ativan (due to med sensitivity she has no standing prn order) I have to phone MD, he orders med, that she is sent to Hospital via Ambulance service, I call service, call family (required) give IM ativan, copy paperwork, and it's now 1:45, I've still got to pass 1:00 meds, do all my documenting, do schedule for next shift CNA's and be able to clock out by 3:30. We can't have med techs, it's skilled. I have the phone ringing, another man sitting on the floor, a woman who suddenly looks like she's getting a case of pink eye or something, labs coming in that need to be faxed....and it goes on.

any advice????

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Pray for cloining to happen soon...

[suebird3]

Things like this tend to happen.....I just roll with the punches.

Suebird :)

[aznsoymilk829]

i actually work in assisted living and i feel that they do not hire enough staffs to work. Does this happen everyday in your skilled nursing facility? or is this once a week or occasianlly that things tend to be a choas? what is the ratio of RNs, LVNs, and CNAs at your facility? maybe you should have the work distributed to other employees as well. take care and I wish you the best.

[BK05]

O my heavens, i feel bad for you. I also experience that. You are only 1 person, you can only do what you can do. I would have done the same thing. Always remember Maslow's, that will help you. When things get hairy during my shifts, i try to remember Maslow's. It has always helped. You will get the hang of it before to long. Good luck and God is with you.

[mingez]

O my heavens, i feel bad for you. I also experience that. You are only 1 person, you can only do what you can do. I would have done the same thing. Always remember Maslow's, that will help you. When things get hairy during my shifts, i try to remember Maslow's. It has always helped. You will get the hang of it before to long. Good luck and God is with you.

as in, Abraham Maslow's Heirarchy of needs?

[norinradd]

Sounds like your time management is pretty good. You got a lot done in a short time. Advise: First things first! Constantly triage. Ask for help when the "have to" things aren't getting done. Know that everything is not "have to". If you do this you still may not always get out on time. If it happens frequently, look again at what is on your "have to" list or maybe look for better working conditions elsewhere. No matter what. When you clock out, tell yourself "What's done is done and what's not... not." and leave the worries there.