NR 446 RUA 4 Explore the Planning Hierarchy
Introduction
What are some good and/or ineffective time management strategies you have observed nurses using at your clinical training sites?
Throughout my clinical experience, I have gained valuable insights into time management strategies, specifically regarding change of shift reports and patient care. I have observed that using the SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation) guideline during a change of shift report is an effective way to communicate important patient information efficiently. This saves time during the morning shift and ensures that all necessary information is relayed to the incoming nurse. Additionally, I have noticed that many nurses create checklists to manage their tasks during their shifts and bundle their duties together while providing patient care, which helps them utilize their time efficiently.
NR 446 RUA 4 Explore the Planning Hierarchy
Compare and contrast these strategies to your approach to time management. Discuss the effectiveness and/or deficiencies of each system.
Compared to the strategies mentioned, your approach to time management seems quite similar. The use of checklists and prioritizing tasks are effective ways to manage time. However, some adjustments can still be made to improve time management skills further.
What adjustments will you make to improve your time management skills?
One adjustment you mentioned is to look at the patients’ charts for new orders or vital information to prioritize patient care tasks. This is an essential step in promptly ensuring patients’ needs are met. Another adjustment is getting used to bundling functions together, saving time and making patients feel more comfortable.
NR 446 RUA 4 Explore the Planning Hierarchy
Overall, it is essential to continually evaluate and adjust time management strategies to ensure that patient care is efficient and effective. By incorporating these adjustments, you can improve your time management skills and provide better patient care.
Describe a change that is occurring in your clinical agency. What has been or is the process of the change? Explain the intended outcomes as a result of the change.
At my clinical agency, there was a recent change that took place. The nurse manager identified that some nurses were not accurately documenting patients’ Braden scores and lacked proficiency in their assessments. Documentation is a crucial aspect of a nurse’s routine, yet there were instances of incorrect documentation. As a result, the nurse manager organized an online orientation and distributed information about the Braden score to assist the nurses with their assessments.
NR 446 RUA 4 Explore the Planning Hierarchy
Discuss driving and restraining forces and how these have been addressed during the change process.
There have been no actual restraining forces identified at my clinical agency. However, incorrect documentation of a patient’s Braden score has the potential to become a restraining force. Nurses who do not follow the procedure may face disciplinary action, including being written up by their manager.
Conclusion
Time management is crucial in the clinical setting, as it helps nurses to start their day efficiently and save time. Organizing tasks before the change of shift report is a helpful strategy that can assist in achieving this. When nurses manage their time effectively, they can assess their patients more accurately, which can improve patient outcomes. Effective time management can also help prevent potential incidents, such as wrong documentation.
Reference
Marquis, B., & Huston, C. (2014). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and application (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
