Time management

ozned · Sep 17, 2007

I'm not certain I'm qualified to give advice on this since I'm quite new myself. However, from working with different preceptors I've found getting all your documentation out of the way as early as possible seems to be key for me. I find all heck breaks loose about 1-2 hrs prior to shift change and if you have that paperwork hanging over your head it's no good. If something changes from when you documented you can write an addendum or new note. I can tell I get out at least 1 hr earlier since I changed to this practice. Also clustering care seems to save some time and energy.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2007

I am an LVN on a subacute unit, and my workplace only gives nurses a 3-day orientation before they are cut loose to work on their own. Not surprisingly, the employee turnover rate is rather atrocious at the facility where I work.

Anyway, here is how I manage my time for the day. I work 16 hour shifts, from 6am to 10pm. At the beginning of the shift, I'll go through the MARs and TARs with a fine tooth comb and, as I go, I will jot down the things that must be done in my notebook. My notebook is a main aspect of how I manage the rest of the day, and I usually won't forget to do anything. Here is how one of last month's notebook pages looked (names have been changed due to HIPAA):

8-12-2007

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...

Marvin7148 · Sep 24, 2007

Hello everyone,

Some of you want more time in order to deal with more work related matters to meet the deadline in finishing the deal or any such related stuff.

Some others want to spend most of the time for their personal things, whereas others want to spend more time with their family. Some may also want extra time for a vacation or simply they want to spend their valuable time with their loved ones.

How to make everyday as 25 hours day

Marvin.