How to Be Organized As a Floor Nurse
Nurses have a tremendous amount of responsibility as they care for patients every day. With so many duties and tasks to complete throughout a shift, a nurse has to be organized or patient care can suffer.
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Instructions
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Nursing Organization
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Listen to report from the previous shift, gathering information about what has been going on and on each patient's condition. Any new problems that require follow-up should be noted. Be sure to note anything pertinent or of extreme concern with some kind of mark next to it that will help you prioritize your day. Look over all of the information and prioritize each required action in order of importance. You may want to place a number next to each one. Do not trust your memory; write down even the little things. A nurse's job is filled with chaos and activity and you will likely forget what you don't write down on paper.
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Gather supplies you will need for the day. Look at your notes and mentally go through the various tasks you will be doing for each of your patients. Some things may require you to think ahead in preparation for it, and some patients may have preferences that things be done a certain way you need into consideration. Be sure that to keep your own tools on your person as well, such as your stethoscope, a pen and a small flashlight.
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Visit and check on each of your patients at the start of the day. You will want to make sure that they have no urgent needs that have developed since your last report on them since a patient's condition can change suddenly.
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Perform your nursing duties and tasks starting at the top of your prioritized list. At times, your list may have to be changed due to emergency situations and other appointments or procedures. Try to remain calm and reprioritize your list at that point. Keep working throughout your day and make a note as you accomplish each task.
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References
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