Nursing

Tools for Managing Time 1. Recognize that there will never be enough time to accomplish everything you want. 2. Use a time log to identify and reduce time wasters. 3. Use a planning system to list goals, their priorities, and schedule the workday. 4. Set aside uninterrupted time to complete important tasks. 5. Group routine […]

MANAGING TIME 183 What You Know Now • The first step in time management is to analyze how you use your time by keeping a time log. • Determine priorities and set goals to establish daily planning and scheduling. • Personal organization strategies help use time productively. • An interruption log helps identify patterns that

Respecting Time The key to using time-management techniques is to respect one’s own time as well as that of others. Using the above suggestions for time management communicates to those who interact with you that you expect them to respect your time. You, however, must reciprocate by respect- ing their time too. If you need

  Controlling Time in Meetings Meetings consume much of the manager’s time, and much of that time is wasted. To manage meetings follow these rules (Merritt, 2009): ● Do not meet simply because you always meet on Monday morning. If no meeting is needed, cancel it. ● Invite only key people to initial meetings. Others

Do not be a paper shuffler. “Handle a piece of paper only once” is a common adage, but impossible to follow if taken literally. Rather, each time you handle a piece of paper or e-mail message, take action to further process it. Paper shufflers are those who continually move things around on their desks or

Analyze paperwork frequently. Review filing policies and rules regularly and purge files at least once each year. All standard forms, reports, and memos should be reviewed annu- ally. Each should justify its continued existence and its present format. Do not be afraid to recommend changes and, when possible, initiate those changes. Place Your Order Here!

Send every communication electronically. Unless a paper memo, report, or letter is re- quired, send your work electronically. Place Your Order Here!

LEARNING KEY SKILLS IN NURSING MANAGEMENT The informational file contains materials that must be read immediately, whereas the reading file materials are not as urgent and can be read later. Do not be afraid to throw things away or erase them from your computer’s memory. Do not let them become clutter when they no longer

Sort paperwork for effective processing. A system of file folders either for paper mail or e-mail can be very helpful. Here is a system to handle it: • Place all paperwork (or e-mail) requiring personal action in a red file or in an “action” folder on your computer’s hard drive. Handle that according to its

Plan and schedule paperwork. Writing and reading reports, forms, e-mail, letters, and memos are essential elements of a job. They will, however, become a major source of frus- tration if their processing is not planned and scheduled as an integral part of daily activi- ties. Learn the organization’s information system and requirements, analyze the paperwork