Whether you're preparing to start nursing school or you're almost finished with your training, nursing is one of the most difficult professions out there. If you're not careful, you can find yourself burnt out by the end of each working day, and no one wants that. If you want to be an excellent nurse who is always at the top of your game, it's essential for you to adopt a few time management strategies that can help you. These time management strategies are ideas you can start to practice right now, and they'll give you an advantage while you're at work.
Tip #1: Keep your work area organized.
Whether you have your own desk at work or you sit down at the same workstation every day, do you ever tell yourself that someday you're going to make some time so you can get that space more organized? That feeling of dread in the pit of your stomach is also causing your mind to panic a bit. Not only is it difficult to find what you're looking for when your desk is a mess, but it can also create confusion in your mind. You can think much more clearly when you're sitting at a desk that's neat and tidy, and that will automatically calm you and help you prepare for your day.
Tip #2: Plan a to-do list for your day.
No matter what your profession is, studies have shown that people get more done when they have a to-do list in front of them. The same is true for nurses. Each day, you probably have a list of things you need to do in your mind before you get to work. Write those things down, and be sure to order them according to their importance on your list. Remember, you might not get to all of them in one day, but you do have a much better chance of accomplishing your goals if they're written down and in front of you. A to-do list will help you focus so you can manage your time better and get more of the important work done each day.
Tip #3: Plan for interruptions.
As you're writing your to-do list, don't forget to plan for interruptions. As a nurse, an emergency with one of your patients can arise at any moment, and you need to be ready to act fast. Interruptions aren't as stressful when you've planned some time into your day for them before you even get to work. Of course, the good news is that you might not have any serious interruptions or emergencies in a particular day, so if that's the case, you can create a list of some back-up tasks you can complete during that time.
Tip #4: Delegate work to others.
As a nurse, you already know that you're someone's hero. You save people's lives every single day, but that doesn't mean you have to do everything all on your own. Don't be afraid to delegate tasks to the people you work with. It gives them the valuable experience that they need, but it also takes a lot of pressure away from you. You might be a hero, but that doesn't mean you have to be a superhero. Without so much work on your plate, you'll find time to finish the tasks that are the most important to you.
Tip #5: Never skip breakfast.
How many times have you scolded your patients for not eating breakfast when you yourself have been guilty of running out of the house in the morning with nothing but a cup of coffee and your badge in hand? Probably too many. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, and if you skip it, it can cause you to make poor decisions at work because you're not thinking clearly, and you definitely won't have as much energy. It doesn't take long to make a healthy breakfast in the morning; especially if you do some of the prep work the night before. Plan for breakfast and enjoy how good it makes you feel and how well it makes you focus on what you need to get done at work.
By putting these tips into practice, you can easily gain control over your workday and find time to get all sorts of things done while you're at work. Staying organized, making a plan of action, planning for interruptions, delegating tasks and making sure you eat a good breakfast will go a long way toward helping you focus each day and manage your time much more efficiently.
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