Nursing

In the know: Time management tips

Stressed Out Nurses Weekly, November 30, 2009

The hardest part of being a new nurse is learning how to manage your time. For guidance on how to get tasks done without overdoing it, follow these tips:

 

  • Use the 80/20 rule. Twenty percent of your effort produces 80% of the results. In other words, 80% of your nursing care will be with 20% (the sickest) of your patients.
  • Keep the change-of-shift report on track. Don't waste too much time talking about incidental information instead of important facts about the patients.
  • Get organized before the shift starts. Come in early and look through the charts, new MD orders, the past two shifts' progress notes, and recent lab results.
  • Plan your shift according to patient needs. Who are you priority patients?

For more tips, check out HCPro's book, Stressed Out About Your First Year of Nursing.

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