mscwebb

there is no absolute way to stay organized, that is the one i am learning everyday! you kinda just gotta roll with whatever. i do however attempt everyday to get report using my pcards, which are like mini profiles of patients that show recent orders from doctors, why they are in the hospital, medical record #, dob,etc. i write down iv site,if they are alert, and any things that really need to stay in my head like dressings, accuchecks, 02, restraints, surgery, procedures,or discharges, so that i can sort of prioritize my day and figure out who i need to see first. after that i look at my emar to see if there are any meds to be given right the start with so i can give them when i make my first rounds and i make sure my med cart is stocked with flushes, gauze, and the needed daily supplies. only take one pen, i noticed when i have about three or four pens in my pocket at the end of the day i only have one or none.(if you only have one, you are less likely lose it). always keep alchohol pads and a few flushes in your pocket,with a roll of tape, and some scissors. try to stay ahead so that when something throws off your routine, hopefully you will be able to handle it, and get back on track. remember, take care of your patient first!!! charting can always be caught up on, take you a plain piece of paper, like a cheat sheet and write notes as needed, i know there are some days you wont chart for the whole shift until it is time to go home and unless you have the memory of an elephant you cant remember every detail of the day. once you get out there on your own you will get your own routine, it just takes time and experience, being a fairly new nurse....well, i just take it one shift at a time and do all i can do. remember, this is no right or wrong way to stay get organized,be the best nurse you can be, and the rest will come with experience. best of luck to you!!!

I work in the hospital, we have the computer program meditech. It's pretty neat, the doctors and nurse managers actually have access to the program from doctors office's and their home computers too. In meditech there are flowsheets for your daily assessment that covers the patient's from head to toe, pain, wounds, fall assessments, skin scores, and places for nursing rounds,everything, it's awesome! We also have electronic MAR's, at first they were a hassel, but now they are great, don't have to worry about overlooking a med, because when it is due it shows up highlighted on the screen, click it and it is charted right then that you gave it. With the EMAR if you have iv pushes you enter the time you started it, same with ivpb, and with im shots or insulin injections you enter the site that you gave it in. It sounds like alot but it makes life so much easier and you don't have so much paper to keep up with.