Tips for Easier Days for an RN

A day in the life of a registered nurse is not an easy one; experience is the key to making the days go a little smoother. Fortunately, there are nurses out there who are willing to share their tips of the trade to help newer nurses get up to speed and get those easier days under their belts. Nursing is hard at first and it may never be a breeze every day, but there are ways to make some days better than others.

Arrive Early

• If the shift starts at 7 o'clock, it is best to arrive by at least 6:45. This give the nurse the time to make sure her coat is on the right peg, her lunch is in the refrigerator and her pockets are stocked with supplies. It is also a courtesy to the outgoing shift to be available for report exactly when the shift change should begin. That way, they can get out of the building on time. In addition, arriving early allows the nurse the time to check lab reports and other important patient data that may not get passed in report.

Stock Up

• If a nurse can cut down on the amount of trips he makes to the nurse's station for supplies, then he has already gone a long way towards making his day easier. Stocking his pockets with alcohol swabs, extra gloves and anything else that is commonly used in patient rooms is a great way for a nurse to streamline work flow and cut down on multiple trips to the desk or supply closet. For this reason, it pays to have big pockets to carry a wide variety of supplies and tools into patient rooms.

Be Organized

• Organization is the number one key to an easy day as a registered nurse. A nurse must recall such diverse information about a patient as lab test results, diet orders and discharge plans within a moment's notice. Multiply that by five to seven patients, and it becomes clear that an organizational system is key in managing a nurse's day. Many nurses develop a "brain" or "report" sheet that catalogs all patient information for easy retrieval; this is vital to success.

Prioritize

• A nurse must know how to prioritize his work. He needs to know what comes first, second and third in the course of his day or he will be mired in his own confusion. The ability to decide what to do first and then do it is the skill of prioritization and it comes with experience. A nurse's day goes much more smoothly when he learns to pull the important bits out from the stream of chaos that is coming his way. Remember: not everything needs your attention immediately. Figure out what needs the attention the most and do that first.

Dress for Comfort

• The nurse's uniform is a symbol of professionalism, but it is also a tool in her arsenal. It helps her to make her day go smoother. A nurse's shoes should be comfortable, light-weight and slip resistant. Tennis shoes are good, but they have to fit comfortably and provide adequate support. The pants should be roomy with big pockets for supplies. The shirt should have pockets as well for supplies and tools, such as scissors and stethoscopes. A warm-up jacket can complete the picture and also provide additional storage for badges, gloves and supplies. There is no wasted space on a nurse's uniform.