What do you do/use at work that keeps you organized?

[Lisky90]

Do you use a clipboard? notecards? cheat sheets?

I just finished working as a CNA and start tomorrow as an RN. Over time I developed my own cheat sheet and had my own little "system" of doing things that helped me not to do forget things or helped me to keep track of what I had done. I know that my duties as a nurse will change and that this system of my mine may or may not work. Any suggestions?

[jill48, ASN, RN]

I start each shift off the same way. On my assignment sheet, I write down the report I get from the offgoing shift, plus I have extra places for any labs or tests that have to be done on my shift, then cross them off as they get done. I can't carry around all that stuff that other nurses do. What ever I can't put in my pocket, I just can't take with me. I also have places on my assignment sheet where I write any calls I have out to doctors, any abnormal labs, and ALWAYS in big red letters, the code status. I think that is probably the most important thing I write down. You can walk back to the desk and look up any information, but if you don't know that code status right away, your screwed. All through the shift I jot down things (and their times) that I will sit down and chart later when I have time. It's all about organization. You'll do fine. Just the fact that your trying to organize is a good sign, so many people don't, and you can see it in their charting or in the report they give.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

I just use my mind

Let the Democrats regain control, please Lord

[sister--*]

I get a care slip for each assigned pt. during report. I then add the important new pt. report notes to the left. On the right I indicate my pt. assessments. The middle of the sheet I leave for pt. PRN's and Times as well as exceptions to the norm. Believe it or not, these sheets are about 1/2 the size of a full sheet of paper.

Then, on my last room assignment pt. I turn the paper over. We have taped report so on the left I take a scant report on each floor pt. indicating the assigned nurse. On the right I list the hrs. of my shift. When I get to the floor and the Mars I write the room numbers that meds are scheduled in and the times of administration.

It sounds like so much.....it is.....but it's really compact and easy to fold. It fits comfortably in my pocket. Everything I need to do, chart, and report is right there!

[k3immigrant]

i made my own little report sheet which i call my "brain".i use red for whatever i get on report from previous shift then i use black for whatever happened on my shift.i also use post it notes w/ striking colors for stuff that i need to remember like if i need to call a doctor, i write everything that i want to ask so when a doctor calls back, i won't forget anything. also i use those sticky notes to remind me of timed blood draws when my patients are line draws.i also carry w/ me a little travel pouch w/ 2 sections, one section i keep my calipers, scissors, pulse ox, penlight etc & on the other side i keep my flushes, syringes, blunts ets.

[floatRN]

We get a computer printout at work that has our patient assignment on it. Each patient has space next to their name where I can write pertinent information that I hear in report such as hx, diet, activity, IVF, etc. On the right, I make two columns. In one, I write any xrays, CAT scan, or labs that the patient is scheduled for. This way, I can remember to look in the computer for results. In the other column, I write any tasks that need to be done for that patient such as dressing changes, specimens needed. I put a box next to each that I can check off when I complete it. If its something that needs to be done more than once, I put the correct number of boxes with approximate times. Next to the patient's name I write what times that patient has meds due. Then I know to go check the MAR at that time. I cross off the time when I have given all meds due at that time. Last of all, I get a second sheet of paper. I make a vertical column for each of my patients. I use this to jot down info in chronologic order throughout my shift when things are very busy(such as vitals, pain assessment, phone calls to doctors, etc). We do computer charting and when things are happening fast, I dont always get to document right away. That way, when I do sit down to document, I know what time things happened and don't have to rely on my memory. It took me a long time to get organized. But this method works really well for me.