Page 23 - Time of the Nurses Magazine_Hyper Linked_Compressed

We can do everything in an amazing and
dedicated way; but if we don't manage our time
achieve as much as you are worth.
well, our schedule gets squashed and we may
be interpreted as inefficient. Unlike raw
PRIORITISE:
supplies, time cannot be bought and put aside
Organise your work in order of urgency and
for emergencies.
importance. All work is important, but there are
those things that, if left undone until a certain
We generally have a very busy life. Time
time, will surely distract your routine later. I've
management is a skill, and every nurse needs
learned that proper work organisation saves
it. Below are few tips I found useful to manage
time.
time on an ordinary working day:
TAKE BREAKS:
START ON TIME:
Do not try to work through your breaks. Taking
Every minute counts. Avoid coming late and
breaks refreshes your mind and keeps you
starting work late, unless there are issues or
going. The few minutes taken to recollect your
situations beyond your control. We are human
mind, rehydrate yourself and breathe are very
and those things happen, but we can avoid
important. Avoid pushing yourself through your
habitual late coming and delayed start of the
entitled breaks. Visit the bathroom if you have a
daily routine.
need. Stand up and drink water. These work
positively on your stress levels. Do not take
MINIMISE DISTRACTIONS:
unnecessary extended breaks as that may lead
to failure to meet deadlines.
Talk about distraction...! It is better to
postpone your social media interactions for

WORK AS A TEAM:
break time. It is both unprofessional and time
consuming to engage on personal social
The power of teamwork cannot be over empha-
media while you have a client. However special
sized. Tasks that cannot be done by one person
situations exist...where you find that your
should be shared. When one team member is
supervisor communicates with you on social
done with what they were assigned to do, its
media for work issues. Personal conversations
great to go and assist a colleague. This saves
between nurses can also be avoided to allow
time, saves lives, uplifts the team’s perfor-
enough time for service delivery. Little distrac- minutes, and when the day is done; you won't
mance and gives the institution a good name.
THE OUTSTANDING NURSENG NURSE
ANDI
ST
THE OUT
tions can waste your seconds and your
012
ADVERTVERT
AD
HEREHERE
AD
ADVERTVERT THE OUTSTANDING NURSE
HEREHERE A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A TRAUMA AND EMEGENCY NURSE
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A TRAUMA AND
EMERGENCY PROFESSIONAL NURSE
AD
ADVERTVERT
HEREHERE
The trauma unit is very unpredictable. Some Suction units and catheters.
days can be very busy and some days very Pulse oximeters.
calm and easy. There is no easy way to Oxygen Saturation (SATS) monitor.
predict unless there are places near the unit Defibrillator.
that are high risk during weekends and Be able to draw blood from the patient.
holidays. Be familiar with all the equipment in the
AD
ADVERTVERT
You can expect a wide variety of conditions emergency trolley.
HEREHERE
within one day’s shift. What Type of Person should you
Conditions usually seen in the be to function well
trauma unit: Vigilant.
Injuries due to motor vehicle accidents Observant.
Injuries due to assaults/fights/violence Quick to respond.
pill or medication overdose Learn quickly and properly.
Poisoning other than overdose Value human life (like all nurses should).
Chest Pain (related to heart conditions) Passionate about working with emergen-
TIAs (and CVAs) cies.
Acute Abdomens
Respiratory Conditions eg Asthma What skills should you master well
Burns Controlling bleeding. 022 022
Drowned patients The ABC of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscita-
tion.
What Machinery should one be Suturing of open wounds and which ones
familiar with in order to work can and cannot be sutured.
effectively in the trauma unit? Setting up IV lines.
Blood pressure monitors (digital and Drawing blood specimens.
manual). Be able to calm patients down.
Thermometers. Know the dosing of emergency drugs and
Be able to use the oxygen cylinders and be their relevance to the different cases.
able to tell when they run empty.