Time Management in Nursing: 8 Tips for Improvement

Amidst the hustle and bustle of patient care, where seconds can mean the difference between life and death, managing time effectively is essential. This skill can help you optimize your workflow, reduce stress, and improve the quality of care you provide.

In this article, we delve into the art of time management in nursing. Explore our practical tips and strategies to help you reach peak productivity, dodge the pitfalls of procrastination, and maybe even squeeze in an extra bathroom break or two.

Importance of Time Management in Nursing

Time is precious. Each day, we’re given 24 hours — we can use it wisely, investing it in pursuing our goals and building the future we desire, or we can waste it away. Effectively managing your time is key to a successful career and a fulfilled life.

Why is time management important in nursing, in particular? Contrary to popular belief, this skill isn’t about rushing through tasks, which can lead to errors and burnout. It’s about using your time wisely — like an athlete planning every move before jumping into action. Building strong time management skills in nursing can help you achieve the following:

• Better work-life balance
• Goal achievement
• Higher patient satisfaction
• Higher quality of care
• Increased job satisfaction
• Increased productivity
• Less procrastination
• Less stress
• More breaks

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of how to boost your time management in nursing — skills and strategies that actually work — to help you make the best use of your time.

1. Track Your Time

Every change starts with awareness, so you’ll need to understand your unique time management issues. The concept is simple: Track your time for several days or weeks to pinpoint where your time drain is. Are you spending hours on social media, or is pre-shift anxiety causing you to worry away your time?

Tracking your time can also reveal your patterns. You might notice you’re less productive after a night of poor sleep. Or perhaps spending time with certain people leaves you drained. Just as comprehensive blood work tells a lot about your health status, a thorough time record helps you become aware of how you manage your days.

Helpful tips: Grab a journal and start recording your time. Jot down everything you do and how long you spend on each activity, even if you’re procrastinating. You can also take note of your thoughts and feelings. The more detailed your record, the clearer your understanding of your current schedule will be.

2. Structure Your Days

Time management in nursing is about balance. Organize your days to ensure a healthy blend of work, relaxation, and family time. If you’re working 12-hour shifts, finding time after work to dedicate to other tasks might be challenging. But with a weekly plan, you can strike a balance between work and personal life by prioritizing family on days off or even squeezing in some exercise.

Regardless of the structure you adopt, keep these three things in mind:

• Keep it balanced. Avoid overbooking yourself, and give yourself room to breathe between tasks.
• Aim for consistency. Research says it’s easier to adhere to a structure if it’s somewhat repetitive.
• Prioritize your own well-being. Ensure that you add self-care activities, because life’s not just about getting things done. It’s also about enjoying the process.

Helpful tips: Plan your days in advance, dedicating time to each category of life that is important to you — work, family, health, and fun. You can also make weekly, monthly, and yearly plans that focus on the same priorities.

3. Prioritize Tasks

Prioritization and time management in nursing are fundamental for maximizing productivity. While you may wish to spend quality time with all your patients, it might not be feasible. You’ll have to prioritize — who needs your time the most right now?

You can’t be in two places at once, so if there’s an urgent issue going on with one of your patients, communicate with your manager. You could tell them that you need to be with a certain patient at the moment and ask them to check on the rest of your patients. Being assertive is essential to advocate for patients in a busy medical world.

Helpful tips: Before your shift begins, take a moment to list tasks that need completing and prioritize them on a scale of urgency from 1 to 10. Start by completing the most urgent tasks first. If things shift during the day, reassess and adjust as needed.

4. Cluster Care

Clustering care involves completing multiple tasks in a single visit. For example, you might perform a head-to-toe assessment, measure vital signs, and assist with toileting during one visit instead of making three separate trips. It’s especially handy during night shifts — it saves time and lets patients sleep without constant interruption.

Helpful tips: Before your day begins, think about what needs to be done during the shift. Is there a way to combine tasks? Group the tasks that can be accomplished together. Reevaluate throughout the shift if new tasks pop up.

5. Use Apps and Tools

Various tools can help you master the art of time management in nursing and boost your productivity during busy shifts.

• Brain sheets: This document, usually just one page long, can help you organize and track essential patient information and tasks during shifts. Most brain sheets include sections for vital signs, medications, care plans, and other important reminders.
• Apps: There are many helpful apps to manage your time, including NurseTasks and NurseMind, which are tailor-made for nurses.
• Daily planners: This tool will help you structure your days. Additionally, it might include monthly goals, important reminders, and uplifting quotes to keep you motivated to stay on track with your plans.
• Sticky notes: This simple tool can help you stay focused during chaotic shifts when your attention is scattered. Strategically placing sticky notes with important reminders can help maintain focus amid the chaos.

Helpful tips: Take an honest look at your work patterns. Which tools do you need the most? Also, consider updating your nursing supplies, as they may help to streamline your shifts.

6. Take Regular Breaks

You might be wondering what breaks have to do with time management in nursing. Well, stress, exhaustion, and rushing can lead to burnout, which eventually backfires as procrastination. Try using stress-management techniques like meditation, conscious breathing, and journaling to not only improve your well-being, but also skyrocket your productivity.

Helpful tips: Pick one or two stress-relieving techniques you’re interested in and incorporate them into your daily routine. It could be as simple as doing a five-minute guided meditation before starting your day, or going for a run — exercise is proven to boost serotonin, the brain chemical responsible for feeling happy.

7. Set Goals

Mastering time management involves aligning daily tasks with long-term goals. While ticking off daily to-dos matters, don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. Are your daily activities leading you where you want to go, or are you stuck in a loop?

Set life goals — where do you want to be in five years? Then, assess your daily routine. Are you prioritizing those dreams? Whether it’s becoming a nurse practitioner or starting a nursing business, don’t forget to make time for your aspirations.

Helpful tips: Write down your long-term goals and make space for them in your daily schedule. Dreams become goals before they become reality, so use your time wisely to create the life and career you want.

8. Create a Support System

A support system is crucial in time management because it provides accountability and motivation, helping you stay focused and on track with your goals. Plus, having people in your corner can help alleviate stress during challenging times. Here are some ideas for you to consider:

• Accountability partners: Find a colleague who shares similar goals to provide mutual support and encouragement.
• Mentors: Work with an experienced nurse as your preceptor, or seek mentorship from someone who has achieved the goals you want to accomplish.
• Online forums: Join online communities dedicated to time management and productivity to connect with like-minded people, share experiences, and learn from others’ successes and challenges.
• Support groups: Attend groups such as NurseGroups or Nurses Supporting Nurses to help address the effects of poor time management in nursing and learn proven time-management strategies from fellow nurses.

Helpful tips: Ask a coworker who shares similar time management aspirations to be your action partner, or seek out other support systems based on your preferences.

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