Tips to improve your time management skills in nursing profession

Being a part of the health industry in any form is a benevolent deed, especially when you are dealing directly with the patients. Nursing, therefore, is one such  rewarding job. Like all other jobs, this job too comes with a set of pros and cons. One of the major issues that some nurses face is that of frantic schedules and intermittent dealing with patients. Although one gets used to this after a certain point of time; however, time management in this job remains crucial for some others. For new nurses, nurse staffing agency, nursing time management is a skill that needs to be worked at. Here are a few tips to help you manage your time more effectively:

Nursing Time Management

Always Arrive Early

It’s expected that you arrive on time for a shift, but it is even better to arrive 10 or 15 minutes earlier. This will allow ultimate nursing time management which allows you to understand and read through notes. Once aware of the schedule, the time at hand helps you organize yourself before the actual shift begins. Remember, before time is always better as there is also the handover process after each shift and the time for that may or may not be included in your daily schedule.

Make Notes and Prioritise Tasks

As with accident and emergency cases, “triage” your tasks. What is more urgent? What can be left till later on in the shift? Always make notes because what gets written down, gets done. Having written notes will also ensure that you don’t forget any tasks and it is easier to organize a written list. Plus it avoids that midnight panic mode when you suddenly remember a forgotten task!

Ditch Tasks That Are Not on Your List

Sure, a patient’s condition may change within your shift and you have to adjust and adapt accordingly. But if something is not on your list then it can probably be left. Avoid getting involved in debates with your colleagues, and don’t take on tasks from them until you have finished your own. Learn to say no or else you’ll be doing the nurse job of other people and getting in trouble for not having completed your own.

Be Patient and Flexible

The healthcare environment is pretty dynamic. It is important that you are receptive to constant change and requirements. Nothing is set in stone, even when we have planned our day. Accepting that things can change at a drop of a hat and be prepared for change, will help you remain calm and level-headed.

Nursing Time Management — Take A Break

Nurses are born workaholics. Nevertheless, by not taking a break we run ourselves ragged and can eventually burn ourselves out. Taking your scheduled breaks are the ultimate nursing time management skill. They also support mental clarity and help you in being more productive and organized.

With all said and done, there are software that is being devised by the engineers. These are usually ergonomically made allowing the patients to use them on their own.  Through these machines, the patients will be given reminders of their medicines which will bring down the responsibilities of the nurses from the time consuming daily tasks. Besides, there are machines that have been devised that checks the Diabetes of the patient and even prescribes a dose. These inventions in the healthcare domain are no less than a revolution. The Business Analysts are studying this sector more closely to make radical changes in the times to come.  

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