When you think about nursing, the first person to spring to mind is likely Florence Nightingale. Widely recognized as the founder of modern nursing, there is no doubt that she had a profound effect on nursing.
She is not the last person to change the face of nursing forever. Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, Mary Eliza Mahoney paved the way for nurses of color, and Anna Caroline Maxwell had a massive impact on field hospitals during wars.
Nursing is a profoundly rewarding career, but it requires a ton of hard work and dedication, not to mention a devotion to patient care. It is easy to get bogged down by admin and paperwork, and a host of other things eating into your time while you are trying to care for your patients.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Below are five simple tips to boost your productivity as a nurse:
Set Goals
By setting attainable goals, you can find ways to be productive while managing your time better. Setting specific goals will keep you focused on crucial tasks, allowing you to find ways to delegate other tasks.
A to-do list may seem like a simple solution, but this method is time-honored for a reason. Lists help you stay focused and stop you from forgetting smaller tasks that may otherwise slip by unnoticed.
Implement Routines
By completing the same tasks at the same time each day, you can find new and exciting ways to be better and do more. When you have a routine in place, you save time automatically – purely from not having to come up with a new plan for each day.
Routine tasks become habitual, meaning that you will become more productive just by getting into your daily flow – which greatly improves the patient’s experience.
Cut Out the Unnecessary Time Wasters
Wasted time is the downfall of all hospitals and medical facilities, no matter how hard the nurses try – there just always seems to be a way that time gets wasted. Cut out the unproductive moments from your day by replacing equipment and appliances that make your job easier.
Instead of sending patients away because your facility doesn’t have the appropriate cold storage equipment, have your medical facility invest in a reliable medical freezer. That will allow you to cut out wasted time by not having the appropriate equipment, freeing up time in your schedule for vital tasks instead.
Take Notes
Good note-taking is the cornerstone of all good medical practices. It serves as a vital way for nurses and doctors to communicate about a patient’s health. Always find ways to improve your note-taking skills, or download an app made specifically for this function.
Nurses need to ensure that the healthcare records for their patients are accurate and up to date.
Talk To Your Patients
Verbal communication is a vital skill for all nurses. Encourage your patients to talk to you – that way, you will know if something is off before it shows up on tests or monitors. Patient health is more about being attentive and caring; without that crucial ingredient, their health could end up hanging in the balance.
Follow these five simple steps to be a better nurse, your patients deserve the best they can get.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of experienced healthcare writers and editors, led by managing editor Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare journalism. Since 1998, our team has delivered trusted, high-quality health and wellness content across numerous platforms.
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