Until we can manage time, we can manage nothing else –Peter F. Drucker

We are all given the same 24 hours in a day. How we choose to use them is critical, especially in nursing. The pace of nursing is increasing and the patient population is changing. A term often used in our nursing courses is “sicker and quicker.” The patients being admitted to hospital units are sicker than they have ever been and their length of stay is shortening. Nurses are busier than ever, making time management one of the most important tools a nurse can possess. This is also important for nurse managers who have to be productive in managing and coordinating the work of others. 

“Time management is a deliberative process of identifying and focusing on the activities needed to accomplish tasks and goals…It involves the skills of planning organizing, implementing, and controlling.” (Huber, 2010)

Time Management Strategies

Mastering the skill of time management is essential in order to effective and efficient in our role as a nurse, nurse manager, or even a student nurse. Some helpful strategies include:

1. Analyzing and Prioritizing: take a minute to think about your day. What needs to be completed? Make a to-do list. After you have made your list determine what the most important tasks are. Do those first! This should be a continuous step!
2. Plan Ahead: nursing can be unpredictable. With its fast pace, this step can be especially challenging. Think through your day. What are potential problems you could encounter? Develop a plan for dealing with problems, emergencies and distractions.
3. Delegate: this can be one of the most difficult tasks for nurses. Delegation is a skill that influences clinical and financial outcomes! It is important to remember that we CANNOT do everything on our own! We must work as a team in order to achieve the best possible outcome. Utilize staff and resources in an effective manner to make your job easier and improve the quality of care. Click here for more tips and advice on how to delegate effectively!
4. Learn to Say NO: time is a limited resource that we need to learn to manage effectively. It is important for nursing leaders to evaluate how their time is allotted and how to say no to certain requests. Not every request can be honored. Evaluate what is most important. Say no in a positive way. Avoid the guilt! It is okay to be firm, but polite in your refusal! (Staples, 2013)
   
   
   Appropriate time management allows us to achieve goals, be successful and reduce our stress levels!
   
   
   
   
   Huber, D. (2010). Leadership and nursing care management (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier
   Staples, S., (2013). Nurses, learn to say no. NurseTogether. Retrieved from: http://www.nursetogether.com/Lifestyle/Lifestyle-Article/itemid/1565/Nurses-Learning-to-Say-NO.aspx