Time saving tips for nurses when off work

Dorito, ASN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

I love the Swiffer mop and dusters.....it sure saves time rather than dragging the old mop out so frequently. Also, I don't hesitate to delegate some of those household tasks to others when you can.

pattymac · Apr 8, 2009

This is what I had to do to stay sane:

I made of list of everything that had to be done each week (my laundry, grocery shopping, pay bills; you get the picture) and then I assigned a day that week for that task (or more than one). That way I always got around to each task and I didn't have to think about each one until the day for it came up. Make sense? Anyway, it really helped me.

regularRN · Apr 8, 2009

I never iron anything... even scrubs come out the drier or off the washing line crease free if you hang them up straight away!

RNperdiem, RN · Apr 8, 2009

When I come home from work, the kids are tucked in bed, the house is clean and dinner is ready.

My husband and I do not work on the same days so there is always someone to look after the children and do housework.

Having enough uniforms to last at least a week reduces the number of times a week you do laundry.

I have my lunch packed, clothes laid out, and breakfast planned from the night before.

systoly · Apr 9, 2009

Laundry seems to take the most time with drying being the slowest so I plan the loads accordingly. Wash the stuff that dries the fastest first.

Hoozdo, ADN · Apr 10, 2009

Hire a weekly cleaning person. Hire someone to mow your lawn. Work some OT if you can't afford to pay it within your current budget. I would rather work some OT than spend time cleaning bathrooms and mopping floors.

chicookie, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2009

I go to stores where I can buy everything I need at once plus I make a list so I don't spend the whole time going round and round the store. I am doing this since one time I spent almost 2 hours at Walmart and only came out with a bag full of stuff.

FA to CRNA2b · Apr 10, 2009

I have a full time live-in nanny/housekeeper. Sounds foo-foo, I know but I work two jobs as a nurse and flight attendant. Having help in the house allows me to spend all my free time as 'quality time' with my family. It's worth every cent.

Chaya, ASN, RN · Apr 10, 2009

Lists, lists and more lists. I'm always having something that I will need to do later occur to me out of the blue so that goes on a generic "running" list. An item for this list gets crossed off as it goes on an "immediate action" type list. For instance, the bank, libarary and supermarket are all close and I will try to do all errands in that direction on a given morning or afternoon. The drugstore and garden center are in the other direction, on the way to a friend's house so I try to get anything I need there when visiting this friend. Also I "stage" things as I go along. Clothes set out for work, "brain" sheets and bottle of water by the front door before work, coupons and library books in the car so they're there when needed. I also have an ongoing lbag in the fridge for lunch type items so if I get a single serving sample of crackers or have a small amount of leftovers they go into the bag. Before work I just have to grab the bag, maybe add a cheese stick or piece fruit.

BTW-what a great thread this is!

LaneyB · Apr 10, 2009

I plan my dinners for the next week on Thursdays, shop for everything on Saturday, spend Sunday chopping vegetables and cooking a few things ahead. If I don't do that I end up getting take out. I also fold and put away all the laundry on Saturday and Sunday, and do all of the cleaning on those two days. I would love to find another way so I don't have to spend my weekends cleaning and cooking.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2009

I agree with laying everything out the night before to make mornings run smoother. I have gone so far as to set a clean washcloth on the tub, my clean undies for the next day in the bathroom, put the cereal in the bowl and milk in a separate cup in the fridge. Anything that saves a step in the morning is good for me!