10 Easy-To-Implement
Time Management Tips For Nurses
Time, undoubtedly, is one of the most valuable resources an individual has at their disposal. Irrespective of your work setting, managing your time is crucial since it affects your performance and overall productivity. However, it is even more critical in the fast-paced nursing environment. While a nursing career is rewarding and lucrative, it is also one of the most demanding career paths in the healthcare sector.
As a nurse, you would be responsible for assisting patients, administering medications, conducting routine tests, recording patients' medical records as part of your progress notes nursing, taking notes from physicians, and much more. And to add to it, the unconventional shifts hours or emergencies. With all these tasks on their plate, nurses often feel burned out at the end of the day. Therefore, practicing time management tips can save you from exhaustion and help you achieve an excellent work-life balance. Take a look closer at the below article to learn some effective ways to manage your time as a nurse:
ENROLL IN AN ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAM
You want to stay ahead of your peers and advance your nursing career, right? Then, what better way than earning an online nursing degree. The most significant benefit of pursuing your education in an online program is it helps you learn better time management skills. Nurses can better manage their demanding responsibilities when they learn to balance their academic, professional, and personal lives. Thus, get yourself enrolled in an online RN to BSN program that helps you prepare for offering holistic care to your patients.
ESTABLISH ACHIEVABLE GOALS
Being realistic is perhaps one of the essential qualities in managing your time. The more realistic your goals are, the more chances you can achieve them. Thus, try to create viable, realistic long-term and short-term goals. Make sure to set your goals with a deadline so you can track your progress. Also, don't get your long-term goals swayed by short-term goals.
MAKE SURE TO ARRIVE AT WORK EARLY
You won't even realize how much positive impact you can see by arriving ten to twenty minutes early at your work. You would think your eight-twelve hours' shift is enough to complete all your tasks. However, your long shifts might still not be sufficient. Early arrival will allow you to study reports, go over patient notes, and organize your day's duties.
JOT DOWN YOUR TASKS
Unless you have excellent memory skills, noting down your tasks is necessary to manage your time. So get yourself a small notebook and pen and place it in your uniform so you can access it all day long. Having a written to-do list will give you a clear picture of what tasks you need to accomplish during your shift.
PRIORITIZATION IS THE KEY
Your game doesn't end with making a to-do list; you also need to prioritize your tasks. So first, determine which tasks are urgent and need to get done first? Next, you can ask yourself what would happen if you did not complete a specific task first? Answer to this will help you prioritize the list more easily.
DELEGATE WHEN NECESSARY
Depending on your job position, you might be able to delegate tasks. However, delegating tasks doesn't mean you are being lazy. Instead, it is you being responsible. By delegating less critical tasks to your team, you can focus on more important or urgent ones. Make sure to delegate the right job to the right person and keep your communication open.
ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS
Answer this. Do you often find yourself entertaining distractions while at work? Unfortunately, doing so can affect your productivity and increase your workload. Therefore, an essential time management tip is to reduce distractions at work as much as possible. One best way to limit your distraction and stay attentive is by putting your phone on silent.
DON'T SHY FROM SAYING NO
While you are a primary caregiver to your patients as a professional nurse, that does not mean you have to be available for all your patients at the same time. You might be thinking about multitasking, but it can prove to be detrimental for your patient and to you too. Some requests have to wait, and it's alright. Therefore, don't feel bad by saying no.
FIND TIME TO TAKE A BREAK
The stress at your workplace might make you feel like you can't have a little break. However, taking a few minutes of break is enough to help you recollect your thoughts and refresh your mind. After all, you need to revitalize your mind and body to accomplish your tasks effectively. So, drinking water, having a snack, or even visiting the bathroom is all you need to refresh yourself.
UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY
Another excellent way to manage your time is by leveraging technology wherever necessary. Look for online tools and apps to help you stay organized. For instance, some time-management apps make planning your shift and setting reminders easy. In addition, you can take advantage of Electronic Health Records (EHR) and other technologies to manage your time wisely.
CONCLUSION
Whether you just started as a fresh nurse or have been an experienced nurse, managing time effectively is crucial to succeeding in your career. Only nurses with excellent time-management skills can provide optimum quality care to their patients. However, be mindful; time management needs practice. You can't achieve it overnight or in a few days. A better option is to reflect on which tips turned out helpful at the end of your shift.