Time Management Skills for Nurses

Assess patients and review priorities

Nursing is a demanding and stressful occupation, requiring you to be organized yet flexible. Managing your time effectively, knowing when to delegate, and thinking critically are essential. You also need to expect the unknown to happen at the worst possible moment.

Arrive Early

Scope out the atmosphere and your assignment. Set your watch ahead. Being late sets the tone for constantly playing catch-up, which only adds to your stress and disorganization.

Prioritize Your To-Do List

Prioritize patient care using categories such as A) critical or essential, B) important, C) could be put off, D) delegate and E) erase or ignore. Write everything down. Cross items off as you complete them, and re-prioritize as events unfold throughout the day.

Delegate Appropriate Tasks

Get used to this and give up the idea that only you can do something. Be sure to oversee any delegated tasks and get reports on them throughout the day.

Don't Procrastinate

Start with the least desirable of your critical tasks. Get it out of the way so that it doesn't weigh you down with dread.

Paperwork

Chart as you complete tasks so that you don't forget critical entries. Make time to chart at least every two hours so that issues are fresh in your mind. Don't leave it all for the end of the shift.

Organize Your Home Life

Prioritize and delegate tasks at home to reduce stress. Make relaxation a must-do in your life.

References

• NurseTogether.com: Nurses and Effective Time Management
• Arest.Wordpress.com: Time Management for Nurses
• Effective-Time-Management-Strategies.com: Time Management for Nurses

Resources

• Support for Nurses