sag1871

First of all.. Don't be to hard on yourself...time management and prioritization take time to develop... #1 always check your pockets before you leave the unit..always..it's easy to develop bad habits..don't let this be one of them. #2 Chart as you go...It is the right way to document..you want the information you document to be correct and thorough.. This will not happen if your charting rounds 3 hours later.. #3 document those outputs,they are a vital part of patient care...they determine if drains come out or stay or if a patients urinary out put is sufficient or if intervention is needed.. If I think I may forget.. I write it on their white board...(patient information board that is in every patients room) If you are going into a patients room.. Or if they are calling on the call light..think of what they may need...is it time for pain medication..is it time for the next antibiotic or other scheduled med?..take it with you... #4 Every time you leave the patients room..even if all they wanted was for you to close the door...Ask them,is there anything that they need..4p's Pain, position,potty,placement... Do this and it saves you wasted time...They will not call you if their needs are being met. #5 Delegate a task that can be done by a tech..they are there to help you.. #6 Ask for help when you need it..other nurses on your unit can help you..But always be the nurse who is willing to help others when they need it. #7 I carry a binder with dividers..each of my printed out assignments go into the dividers.. I carry that with me all day.. I call it my brain..I fill it out when I get report and add to it throughout the day.. If orders,consults or meds are added I write it down.. I also write down abnormal labs and I&O's... It takes time to develop as a nurse...the first year is the hardest..it helps to ask yourself at the end of the day.."What could I have done different to make the most of my time"? Nursing is one of the hardest jobs in the world..if this is what you are meant to do...you'll figure it out!!!! I wish you much success..you can do this..just know that there will be days when you will want to quit..just remember ..no bad day can last forever..you will get through it..The good ones always do!!