Organization Tips You Need to Know Being a nurse, you know there is never enough time. You need to accomplish a number of tasks, but often find it difficult to organize and finish your duties. People are not born organized; rather they have acquired the qualities to stay organized over a period of time. While it is not possible to change the number of hours in a day, you can incorporate different habits that will help you stay organized. Practice these tips to stay in control of your organizational qualities. Be the early bird Being late to work can mess up your routine for the day. You will lag behind your schedule, and remain stressed. Moreover, while changing duties with the previous shift nurses, chances are you may miss crucial information. However, being early will give you enough time to prepare for your shift and start off on a happy note. Related: How to Become a Top Nurse In Your Field Organized supplies help a nurse Organized supplies help the nurse access different equipment and other important things when they need it most. Being a nurse, you are preoccupied with a number of different things and if you are unable to get your hands on the right equipment, you will become irritated. So stock up on supplies each morning, and keep stay organized. Know your priorities As a nurse, you probably feel your hands are full of responsibilities, but make sure you know your priorities as well. Spending time with patients can take a backseat if you know there are other more important tasks that need to be taken care of. Therefore, do what is important first and make sure you do not miss any essentials during your duty hours. Having a pre-planned schedule will also help you avoid missing a task. Don’t procrastinate As a nurse, the longer you will wait to do something, the more difficult will it become to accomplish. So if you want to make your life a lot simpler and stress-free, then don't procrastinate. Stop delaying different tasks and strive to remain organized. Write down what needs to be done immediately, and what can be done after a specific interval of time. If it is possible, try to finish off the day’s work without keeping anything pending. Related: Top 5 Questions to Ask When Starting Your New Career
Work area must be organized Having a well-organized work area puts you in control of the situation and makes it easy for you to avoid workplace chaos. Nurses who don’t have an organized workplace often feel overwhelmed and distracted. While some feel the distraction is because of the patient load, this is not true. Having a clean and organized workplace helps you remain in control of the situation and create a safe, clean environment for the patients and their families. Take your breaks Many hospitals give nurses the advantage of having a flexible break time. If you are also given this opportunity, use it to your advantage. Arrange your break time in such a manner that your patients do not suffer. However, make sure you do not overlook the importance of break time during your long shifts. A break helps recharge a person so that they can work with energy and concentration. Moreover, researchers have shown that a power nap can increase concentration levels, so make sure you take your break time seriously. Keep a positive attitude If you are working a night shift or your shift has been extended, having a positive attitude will help you make the situation bearable. Leave your problems at home and go to your work feeling happy. Your positive attitude will help the patients forget their problems for some time, and as a nurse, this is what you strive for on a daily basis. Related: Leading Registered Nurse Donna Lee Clough, RN to be published in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare as New Member of the International Nurses Association Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter