Hack Your Productivity With These Nursing Time-Management Skills

NurseTasks

Aug 13, 2023 — 4 min read

As a nurse, you know that time is precious. You have a lot of responsibilities to juggle, and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. But good time management skills can help you stay on top of your work, provide better patient care, and reduce stress.

Here are 10 time management tips that you can use to improve your nursing shifts:

Prioritize your tasks

Not all tasks are created equal. Some are more important than others. Take some time at the beginning of each day or shift to prioritize your tasks so that you know what needs to be done first.

Plan your day

Once you know what your priorities are, you can start to plan your day. This doesn't have to be a complicated process. Just make a list of the tasks you need to complete and estimate how long each one will take.

NurseTasks makes this easy. All it takes is a few minutes to get everything set up, and you can look forward to a smoother shift.

Delegate tasks

Don't be afraid to delegate tasks to other nurses or healthcare professionals. This will free up your time so that you can focus on the most important things.

Take breaks

It's important to take breaks throughout the day, even if it's just for a few minutes. This will help you stay refreshed and focused.

Say no

It's okay to say no to extra tasks if you're already feeling overwhelmed. Don't be afraid to set boundaries and protect your time.

Use technology to your advantage

There are a number of time management apps and tools that can help you stay organized and on track.

Avoid multitasking

Multitasking can actually make you less productive. Instead, focus on one task at a time and give it your full attention.

We're not telling you to not cluster your care or join tasks together that make sense... just don't let your inner ADHD get the better of you.

Get organized

A cluttered workspace can lead to wasted time. Take some time to organize your workspace so that you can find what you need quickly and easily.

If you're not already using nursing report sheets to organize your patient information, let us help you out!

Take care of yourself

When you're well-rested and healthy, you're better able to manage your time effectively. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly.

Don't be afraid to ask for help

If you're struggling to manage your time, don't be afraid to ask for help from a mentor, colleague, or manager.

Following these tips can help you improve your time management skills and be more productive as a nurse. Remember, time management is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. Just keep at it, and you'll eventually see a difference.

Here are some additional tips that may be helpful for nurses:

Set realistic goals. Don't try to do too much in one day or shift. Break down your goals into smaller, more manageable tasks.
Be flexible. Things don't always go according to plan. Be prepared to adjust your schedule as needed.
Anticipate problems. Think about what could go wrong and have a plan in place to deal with it. Oftentimes, the most stressed-out nurses are reactive instead of proactive, and it makes a huge difference. Putting fires out is always easier when they're small.
Take care of yourself mentally and emotionally. Stress can make it difficult to manage your time effectively. Find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones.

By following these tips, you can improve your time management skills and be more productive as a nurse. This will help you provide better patient care and reduce stress.