In the Facts
What percentage of nursing students don't feel like nursing school prepares them for time management?
20%
The staff of a nursing unit collectively decide that they want at least 15/20 patients washed by 10am on a unit.
Goal Setting
A nurse agrees to take a patient to radiology after being asked by a colleague, even though she still has meds to do for other patients and assessments to complete.
Inability to say no.
Help set up a patient's breakfast, or do the patient's morning vitals?
Do the patient's morning vitals.
Time management is an important skill for nurses and nursing students to develop.
True.
What is one common time management tool beginning with "W" that nurses can use to help plan out their shift?
Worksheet.
Two nurses on a unit team up and decide the order they are going to do things for both of their patients, so they will get everything done on time.
Plan Development
A nurse accepts a 6th patient on the assignment sheet even though she is already overwhelmed with her workload for the other 5.
Doing too much.
Wash a patient or give a medication that is due?
Give the medication.
Majority of nurses do not feel nursing school adequately prepared them to time manage as an RN.
False
Does effective time management increase or decrease stress levels?
Decrease.
A nursing student creates a worksheet with all the things required for their patient throughout the day.
Time Tools.
A nurse decides to check her emails instead of performing ostomy care on her patient when it is due.
Procrastination.
Pull the patient's afternoon meds that are due later, or check the new orders from the physician?
Check the new orders from the physician.
More stress can increase your productivity and lead you to work harder.
False.
Is it always possible to limit your commitments in the healthcare workplace setting?
No.
A nurse tidies up their station in the medication room when they are finished preparing their patient's medications.
Organization.
A nurse takes out Piptaz to reconstitute for a patient, and rants about how long it takes to dissolve to another nurse for 30 minutes.
Complaining.
Call the doctor for a patient with a severely deteriorating condition, or complete a med-surg assessment on another patient so you won't be late getting them done?
Call the doctor.
Taking the time to make a worksheet with your patient load can help with time management.
True.
What are three ways to effectively time manage as a nurse?
Delegating, Meeting Management, and Scheduling.
A nurse completes their vitals and morning medications before washing their patient.
Setting Priorities.
A nurse is late with a medication because she could not get all the wrinkles out of another patient's bedsheets after making their bed.
Perfectionism.
Complete a patient's dressing change, or assess a patient's new, worsening abdominal pain?
Assess the patient's pain.
Always agreeing to help colleagues no matter what is something essential to do to maintain a healthy workplace environment.
False.