Time Management: A new way to reduce burnout in Nursing 👩🏻‍⚕️

By: Fernando M. Cayabyab CCRN

Hey thEre, you unsung heroes of the healthcare world! Yeah, I'm talking to you, nurses—the ones who can memorize drug interactions faster than most of us can spell "acetaminophen" (did I get that right?). As someone who's been in your shoes, let me share some hard-earned wisdom. No, I'm not going to tell you how to place an IV line perfectly—though let's be honest, that's an art form. I'm talking about something even trickier: Time Management.

Now, don't click away. I can hear your collective groans from here. Time management is like the Brussels sprouts of the professional world. Everyone says you need it, but no one actually wants to deal with it. Well, let me tell you, it's time we gave this little green monster a flavor boost!

The Stopwatch Paradox 🕒

Let's start with an analogy, shall we? Picture this: You're a juggler 🤹‍♀️, and each ball you're tossing in the air represents a task. Hold that thought. Now, let's add some "extra-ness" to this juggling act because, well, nursing is nothing if not extra. 🔥

So, one ball is on fire (your critical patient 👨‍⚕️), another is a watermelon (your documentation 📝), yet another is made of rubber and keeps trying to bounce away (unexpected emergencies 🚨). Oh, let's not forget the beach ball that keeps trying to float away (admin duties 📊). And because you're a superhero in scrubs, let's throw in a disco ball just for kicks (keeping up morale 🎉).

How are you supposed to juggle all of this without turning into a human fireball 🔥 yourself? You're only two hands and one stethoscope away from a full-scale meltdown, and let's face it, no one wants to see a nurse lose their cool. We're the bedrock of the hospital, the calm in the eye of the healthcare hurricane. 🌪️

Here's where the Stopwatch Paradox comes into play. Imagine if time ⏰ could slow down just when you needed to catch that fiery ball, giving you just enough space to breathe and make a sound judgment. Sounds like a dream, right? But it's not. With modern techniques in time management, you can't exactly slow time (sorry, no superhero powers here 🦸‍♀️), but you can make it work more efficiently for you.

The key is compartmentalization. Think of your shift like a series of short sprints 🏃‍♀️ rather than a never-ending marathon. Group related tasks together and tackle them in one go. If you're dealing with patient care, immerse yourself fully in it. When you shift to documentation, switch gears like a pro race car driver and focus solely on that.

Oh, and if you're wondering where to put that disco ball of morale-boosting, slide it into every compartment. A well-timed joke or a pat on the back can be the jet fuel 🚀 that powers you through the most challenging tasks.

So that's the Stopwatch Paradox, reimagined and expanded, just like your favorite Netflix series but with fewer cliffhangers and more real-world payoffs. 🍿📺

The "Just Two Minutes" Trick

Ah, the "Two-Minute Rule," the unsung hero of time management! Now, let me tell you, I didn't just read about this in James Clear's "Atomic Habits" and then forget it like that one pop song you can't get out of your head. I put this baby to the test. It's so simple that you'll wonder why you didn't use it before.

Imagine this. You're rushing down the hall, your stethoscope practically choking you because, let's face it, we never have time to adjust those things properly. As you speed-walk by Room 207, you notice Mrs. Johnson's IV saline bag is almost empty. A part of you says, "I'll get to it later," but then the "Two-Minute Rule" kicks in. Scanning and replacing a bag of saline takes less time than it does to daydream about kicking off those uncomfortable nursing shoes.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. This rule also helps keep the vibe positive around the unit. I found that when I started tending to these quick tasks immediately, the atmosphere lifted. Nurses noticed. Patients noticed. Heck, even grumpy Mr. Thompson in Room 213 cracked a smile, and he hadn't done that since disco was a thing.

But hold on, it gets even better. This rule also helps me sort tasks. If something takes less than two minutes, I do it immediately. If not, I quickly evaluate its priority level and schedule it in. It's like having a built-in assistant who's not on a coffee break. Imagine that!

Oh, and speaking of coffee breaks, applying the "Two-Minute Rule" even allowed me some extra moments for a hot cuppa. No more taking sips of what tastes like chilled asphalt. We're talking real, steaming coffee, the way the Coffee Gods intended.

The beauty of this is that it helps you prevent small tasks from turning into massive, stress-inducing to-dos. You're nipping it in the bud, squashing that little problem before it mutates into a Godzilla-sized issue that's rampaging through your day.

So there you have it: The "Just Two Minutes" rule. It's not just a trick; it's a lifestyle. If you're constantly putting out fires at work, it's time to invest in some good old prevention. And hey, let's be honest, wouldn't you rather be sipping that piping hot coffee than running around like a contestant in a very stressful game show?

If this small tweak could change the quality of my nursing life, I'm pretty sure it'll do wonders for you too. So go ahead, be a two-minute wonder!

Making Friends with Technology

So, where were we? Ah, yes. Making friends with tech. Now, let's not just "swipe right" on the first time management app that comes our way. The relationship between you and your technological assistant should be more nuanced, like a good rom-com, minus the last-minute airport chase scenes.

When I first dipped my toes into the world of time-management tech, I was skeptical. It was like the first time I had to put on compression stockings. Sure, it looked easy on YouTube, but the reality was a wrestling match that left me questioning my life choices. However, just like with those stockings, the struggle was worth it.

First off, there's the magical world of apps. If the App Store were a hospital, these apps would be the trusty nursing assistants. They don't replace your skills but man, do they make life easier. For instance, there are apps specifically designed for nurses that can help you calculate dosages, check symptoms, and even keep track of your shifts. It's like having a pocket-sized mentor that you don't have to share with twenty other nurses.

And don't get me started on reminders. The simple act of setting a reminder on your phone can free up mental space faster than you can say, "I need a vacation." With a reminder, you don't have to keep mental tabs on when to administer medication or check vitals. Your tech friend will give you a nudge, and you can use that extra brainpower to remember important things, like where you left your stethoscope or the name of that Netflix show you've been dying to watch.

Did I mention the joy of spreadsheets? Yes, I know. Spreadsheets sound about as exciting as watching paint dry. But hear me out. A well-organized spreadsheet can be your roadmap through a busy shift. With one glance, you can see your patients, their needs, and the tasks you have to complete. It's like having a bird's-eye view of your day, and it can be a game-changer.

Finally, let's talk about going "smart" with your environment. Nowadays, smart home gadgets are not just for tech nerds; they have practical applications in the nurse's life too. You can program your coffee maker to start brewing just as you're finishing your shift. Or how about a smart thermostat that heats up your house so it's toasty when you get home from a night shift? It's like having a loyal butler, except without the British accent and the judgmental stares.

So there it is,why you should be BFFs with technology. Whether it's an app that's more reliable than your sense of direction or a spreadsheet that’s clearer than hospital Jell-O, tech can elevate your time management game from "Oh, I think I've got this" to "I'm owning this, no sweat!"

And the cherry on top? You won't just be surviving your shifts; you'll be thriving through them. Imagine that—more "you time" to do the things you love, like catching up on that Netflix show, or even, dare I say it, getting a full eight hours of sleep!

The Long Game: The Compound Effect 🌱

Now, let's chat about something near and dear to my heart: The Long Game. We're in a profession where immediate results are often the name of the game. But trust me, when it comes to time management, you're playing chess, not checkers. I first stumbled upon this concept in a book called "The Compound Effect" by Darren Hardy. The basic idea? Tiny, seemingly inconsequential actions can snowball into transformative changes. It's like adding one more drop of water to a bucket every day. At first, it seems futile—like trying to fill a swimming pool with a teaspoon. 🥄 But then, one fine day, you're looking at a full bucket and thinking, "Well, I'll be darned. Look at me making waves! 🌊"

I took this idea to heart and started applying it in the real world, where IVs drip and call bells never stop ringing. 🛎️ Let's say I had five minutes before my next scheduled task. Instead of scrolling through my phone (we're all guilty, don't lie 😜), I'd use those minutes to declutter the supply cart or refill the glove dispensers. Tiny actions, remember? 🧤

Those glove-dispensing minutes added up, trust me. Soon enough, I wasn't spending 10 frantic minutes looking for the right size gloves when I really needed them. Less stress, more time to actually breathe—and maybe even enjoy that cup of coffee. ☕

Don't underestimate the power of consistent baby steps. They’re like the tortoise in the race with the hare; slow and steady, but darn it, they finish the race with a smile. 🐢😊

So, applying the compound effect in your daily nursing hustle isn't about grand gestures or massive overhauls of your routine. Nah, it's about finding those cracks in your day—those tiny slivers of time—and filling them with small, purposeful actions. It's about creating a mosaic of mini-tasks that add up to a big, beautiful picture of a less stressful, more manageable shift. 🎨

Over weeks, you'll start seeing the difference. Over months, your colleagues will too. And one magical day, you'll find yourself mentoring a newbie, passing along the wisdom of the compound effect. You'll be the Yoda to their Luke Skywalker, only with fewer wrinkles and better hair. 🌟💫

Oh, and here’s the kicker: The compound effect isn't just about work. It leaks into your personal life. Better time management at work means more time at home, more moments with your family, and more episodes of that Netflix series you're secretly binging. 📺🍿

Alright, that spices things up a bit! What do you think? Ready to apply some compound effects in your own nursing world? 😄

Stay Hard 💪 💪 💪