○ “Function effectively within nursing and inter-professional teams, fostering open
communication, natural respect, and shared decision- making to
... [Show More] achieve quality
patient care.”
● Inter-related Concepts
○ Communication
○ Safety
○ Quality improvement
○ Stress & coping
● Time Management is Making Optimal Use of Available Time
○ Time is a finite & valuable resource
○ There is a close relationship between time management & stress
○ Effective time management skills allow nurses to spend time on things that matter.
○ Things that matter: patient education
● Time management strategies in nursing practice
○ A study identified the following actions:
■ Focusing
■ Avoidance (good and bad- depending)
■ Selective attention
■ Short cutting (taking short cuts- NO)
■ Saying no
■ Making compromises (but not on quality care)
■ Delegation
■ Synchronizing
● Four Cyclic Steps to Time Management
○ Allow time for planning and establishing priorities (plan the day before it starts)
○ Try to finish one task before beginning another
○ Complete the highest priority task whenever possible
○ Continually reprioritize based on remaining tasks and new information that may have
been received
● Reminder: Common Mistakes in Planning
○ Underestimating the importance of a daily plan
○ Not allowing adequate time for planning
■ Set aside time after report!
● Creating a Time-Efficient Work Environment
○ Gather supplies first
○ Group activities in same location
○ Use time estimates for each task
○ Document nursing interventions right after they are completed
○ Strive to end the work day on time
■ If you are going into a protective precautions room, be sure to get organized and
plan what supplies and meds you need.
■ Do hourly rounding checks.
■ Chart 0800 assessments by 0900.
■ Document as soon as possible after care/event.
■ Things come up but try to finish work on time. Everyone will appreciate your
organization and respect for their time
● Daily Planning Actions to Utilize Time Effectively
○ Identify key priorities to be accomplished
○ Determine the expected level of achievement of a prioritized task
○ Assess the level of experience of staff assigned to work with you
○ Review short- & long-term plans of the unit
○ Plan ahead for meetings & arrive on time (case management)
○ Allow time to assess progress of goal attainment
○ Take regular breaks: hydrate, bathroom, snack, lunch
○ Use electronic alarm for reminders
■ Assess patients according to the time protocol of the unit
● Three Categories of Prioritization
○ “Don’t do”-maybe you won’t need to do it
○ “Do later” -not a priority
○ “Do now”- priority: assess diabetic pt w/ hx of hypoglycemia
● General Guidelines for Setting Priorities
○ Take care of immediate life-threatening issues
○ Safety issues
○ Patient-identified issues
○ Nurse-identified priorities based on the overall picture, the patient as a whole person,
and availability of time and resources
● Managing Time:
○ You must know your priorities
■ For patients
■ For yourself: short-term, intermediate, long-term goals
● Personal Characteristics of Time Wasting
○ Not understanding time planning
○ Not distinguishing w [Show Less]