10 Time-Management Hacks for Busy APRNS

 

Time management is something that we all struggle with in our day to day lives. Juggling things like family, work, grocery shopping, laundry, and the basic necessities of taking care of oneself can become a full time job. For the busy life of an APRN this, on top of the fast-paced and intense job of healthcare, means that nurses need to have amazing time management skills. 

 APRNs often find themselves juggling numerous responsibilities, from patient care and administrative duties to continuing education and personal commitments. The demands of the profession can be overwhelming, leading to stress, burnout, and a potential decline in the quality of care provided. Effective time management is not just a valuable skill but a critical necessity for APRNs aiming to maintain a healthy work-life balance and deliver the highest standard of care to their patients. Read ahead to learn a few time management hacks from ISAPN to improve your day to day work life!

10 Tips to Improving Your Time Management:

Prioritize

In health care, things popping up throughout the day distracting you from your main tasks is a common phenomenon. These distractions easily cause stress, overwhelmed feelings and burnout. Learning what tasks are urgent or important are key to preventing these feelings. When things start piling up, make a list of everything and decide what is truly important, and what is not. Here are three things to think about when prioritizing:

• Daily Reviews: At the end of each day, review what you've accomplished and what needs to be carried over to the next day.
  
  
• Weekly Reviews: At the end of each week, assess your progress towards your larger goals and adjust your priorities for the coming week.
  
  
• Adaptability: Be flexible and willing to reprioritize tasks as new information or changes arise.

Set Achievable Goals

Have you heard of the phrase, “quality over quantity?” In the life of an APRN, this idea can become lost in the hectic schedule of healthcare. APRNs are on a career track that enables them to accomplish any and all goals they desire. But sometimes, the more goals you have the harder it is to achieve them. By breaking down your goals and deciding which ones are important or achievable, you can set yourself on a path for success. Prioritize time for the goals that are the most important to you. 

Delegate

Part of the joy of being a healthcare provider is working with a team of people who understand your struggles. When the job becomes overwhelming and time consuming, making use of your healthcare team is a sure fire way to get through the day. By delegating tasks out to other members of your team, you not only give yourself more time for your workload, but you also free yourself up to help out fellow nurses. Delegating can also ensure that tasks get done right. Backed up on paperwork? Ask a fellow nurse to stop in and check on a patient so you can ensure everything on your paperwork is accurate. 

Make Lists

Just like a grocery list keeps you on track at the store, to-do lists for the work day keep you on track at the hospital. Making to-do lists can help you save time, energy and motivate you to get through the day. By making a list of all the tasks you need to complete, you have a clear idea of what your work day really looks like. Not only this, but the feeling of crossing something off a to-do list is incredibly satisfying! The more you cross off a to-do list, the less there is on the list to do. This can help motivate you throughout the day. 

Make Use of Technology

Modern technology in healthcare makes time saving a breeze. With things like telehealth, it is easy to keep track of patient records, appointments and medications. 

• Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Simplify documentation and access patient information quickly.
• Scheduling Apps: Efficiently manage your appointments and avoid double bookings.
• Telehealth: Conduct virtual consultations to save time and reduce patient wait times.

Integrating these tools into your daily practice can enhance efficiency and reduce time spent on administrative tasks.

Saying No

The busy schedule of an APRN means that getting stacked with work is quite common. It is easy to keep saying yes to helping out coworkers, but sometimes saying yes to everything can become overwhelming. Saying no to tasks that are not on your list also gives you more time to complete what you have going on. Learn to say no when work becomes overwhelming so you can focus on doing the best quality work, over a large quantity. 

Find Your Support System

Having a support system in place is vital for healthcare workers. Whether it's friends and family, or an organization like ISAPN dedicated to taking care of you, having a system that takes care of you is necessary. 

At ISAPN, we are dedicated to ensuring that all APRNs get the support they need to have the best career possible. Find networking opportunities at educational events, ISAPN looks out for nurses. Supporting APRNs through legislative progress is another big goal for ISAPN. Learn more about what our organization can do for you. 

Take Breaks

As an APRN, having a busy work day is part of the job. It can be easy to skip lunch, or go working all day without a break. Oftentimes when working in high volume healthcare centers it can become expected for nurses to skip breaks when there is a sudden influx of patients. Making sure you take a break during your working day is vital to continuing good healthcare practices for your patients. 

Taking breaks doesn’t just mean you will be able to eat lunch. It is necessary when recharging your productivity and motivation. By putting your needs first, you will be in a better position to give quality care to patients. Breaks are also a good opportunity to look at everything you have accomplished for the day, and make a list of what still has to be done. By taking breaks, APRNs will be able to look at what they have left for the day and how much time is left to do it. 

Establish Routine

Fewer things are better for time management than establishing a routine. By having a routine of your daily tasks, APRNs can figure out how much time something takes. Having a routine will also help prevent burnout. Knowing what is coming in your day and how long it will take makes getting through stressful situations easier. Establish a routine and improve your time management. 

Reflect and Adapt

Continuous improvement is a requirement for nurses. Not only is it needed for staying certified, but with new technologies coming out every day keeping skills up is a must for the evolving industry. 

The same can be said for time management. Reflecting on strategies that have worked for you is a great way to improve your time management skills. Here are three things to think about when improving your time management:

• Regular Reflection: Periodically assess what’s working and what’s not in your time management strategies.
• Adaptation: Be willing to adjust your methods as needed. Flexibility can help you stay effective in a dynamic work environment.
• Seek Feedback: Ask for feedback from colleagues and mentors to identify areas for improvement.

Manage Your Time Better Today - Join ISAPN!

Mastering time management is essential for APRNs to thrive both personally and professionally. By implementing these ten hacks, APRNs can navigate their demanding roles more efficiently and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Find support in your nursing journey with ISAPN! ISAPN is the only organization dedicated to APRNs in the state of Illinois. Get support, educational resources, and professional development by joining today. Visit our website to learn more and become a part of a community that is committed to supporting and empowering APRNs.