Time management

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As a newly graduated nurse, I'm concerned with how to manage my time on the floor while nursing. Can anyone share any ideas or practices to help with management of time? Thanks!

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Specializes in NICU.

Use a good "brain sheet."

Make a grid/table with each patient across the top and each hour of your shift down the side. If Mr. A. needs a med at 2100, write "med" in the box where Mr. A. and 9pm cross. If Mrs. B. needs a glucose at 0500, mark that, too. And so on. If you see a huge cluster of things that need doing between 2000 & 2200 and again at 2400 and again between 0500 & 0700, that gives you an idea of how the shift will flow. If three patients need something at 2400, you'll probably start with the first one at 2330, get to the 2nd at 2400 and the 3rd at 2430. Anticipate what your patient may need. If Mrs. C. gets a diuretic at 1800, just plan on her needing to potty a bit later & mark that on your grid.

Cluster care: when you go in to give the 9pm med to Mr. A., bring some stuff to stock the room/linen/supply cart, give the med, do his assessment, toilet him & get him tucked into bed, if he'll let you. "Can I do anything else for you?" is not just for satisfaction surveys. It also helps keep people off the call bell.

Remember that the best-laid plans do not always work out and sometimes the whole schedule just goes to pot.

OH, and if things DO change, flex with it. Mrs. B's shortness of breath at 2000 is going to be prioritized over Mrs. C's full bladder.

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My biggest piece of advice is to accomplish as many tasks as possible with each visit to a patient. It saves a lot of time (fewer trips = fewer steps). I always do a meet-n-greet round immediately after report, use that time to ask people if I can bring them anything when I do my med/assessment/vitals rounds. That way I come in prepared.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Don't be discouraged. Like all new skills, time management will improve with experience. As PP's have said, the two most important factors are the ability to multi-task and prioritize. If you need a clear example, think of an experienced waitress - they are masters of efficiency & time management. They make every trip count... picking up dishes as they are emptied, carrying small items in their pockets, asking if you need anything more each time they pass your table . . etc.

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Thanks! You all are great!!!!! I've been worried about this! Any good advice for interviews?

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