Topic > Cases of time management in the professional environment

Management is the science that includes planning, organization and coordination (Said, 2014). Time management is a way to develop and use processes and tools for maximum efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity (Said, 2014). Lack of time management can lead to being stressed, disorganized, and not getting things done. In time management we manage our time better, we are simply making better decisions about what we do and how we will do it, ultimately we perform better (Said, 2014). Time management is very important in nursing, because time loss and inappropriate management have negative effects on patients' health (Gourdazian, Ranjbar, Babaei, & Heidari, 2017). Time management is the best way to use time to achieve personal or professional goals and directly contributes to performing daily tasks satisfactorily and progressing at work (Gourdazian et al., 2017). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Time management is the method used to organize our time, so every decision we make about it is useful, constructive, and more beneficial to our life structures (Said, 2014). Time management and organization help us complete our jobs faster, with less effort and allows us to seize opportunities. According to Katey & Torres, the essence of time management is putting some things first, some second, and some third. Set goals and order them from most important to least important. Then develop a time plan for meeting them. Monitor your actions to make the most of your time. Learning to manage time means learning to manage yourself'' (as cited by Said, 2014). Nurses have a lot to do for most of their eight- to 12-hour shifts. It probably seems like no matter what you do, you're always behind. It's best to have a plan when you see your workload. A nurse should consider which tasks you can consolidate and delegate. They can't forget that they're not the only ones trying to get the job done. There are other staff members too, and the more you help others, the more they help you. Sengupta says that “Pickle Jar Theory” teaches us the right way of managing time, it is very simple to understand and execute, it also makes us aware of the fact that distractions that lead to poor management which should be avoided completely for follow the right path (as cited by Said, 2014). The basic idea is that you should only plan high-priority tasks for the day and leave spaces in between for less important tasks (email, browsing, etc.) (as cited by Said, 2014). This is supported by the analogy of a pickle jar, where you can fit more into the jar if you add large pebbles first before pouring in the smaller pebbles and sand (instead of adding the larger pebbles last when they are unlikely to adaptino) (as cited by Said, 2014). Chunta and Boothby have compiled some tips that can help a struggling or novice nurse get through the day without going completely crazy. There are eight main components that they talked about: self-assessment, preparing ahead of time, tackling projects, managing email, managing meetings, dealing with distractors, taking care of yourself, and, of course, being a good time manager. Self-evaluation includes an overall look at what you do when you start your day and how you can find ways to maximize itthe amount of time you spend on all your activities. They say to honestly evaluate your tendency to procrastinate and identify strategies to overcome it (Chunta & Boothby, 2017). Next is to prepare in advance. Effective time management starts with planning ahead, so prepare for the next day by starting the night before (Chunta & Boothby, 2017). Prepare and organize the clothes and things you need in advance and have a to-do list ready. This strategy avoids rushing in the morning and helps prioritize tasks before starting the workday (Chunta & Boothby, 2017). Now let's tackle the projects. If you have a report, evaluation, or other project due, start your day by getting it done, even before you open your email (Chunta & Boothby, 2017). It's wise to focus on high-priority projects while you're still fresh and not distracted by other tasks you have for the day. Email is another time drain, it can become a constant distractor, keeping you away from bigger projects (Chunta & Boothby, 2017). A wise tip is to schedule regular intervals to check and address your emails (Chunta & Boothby, 2017). Meetings are an essential part of a nurse's job. It's where they address what needs to be worked on and what's going swimmingly. As a nurse, you should use your position to control meetings; make sure they are needed and prepared to start with the most important agenda item (Chunta & Boothby, 2017). Busy nursing leaders rarely have large amounts of time to complete any work that requires their full attention. However, implementing good time management strategies, such as planning and prioritization, managing small increments of time, and including personal time away from work, can improve productivity and job satisfaction (Chunta & Boothby, 2017). In their article, Chunta and Boothby suggest completing a time audit to help you evaluate and improve your time management skills. There is typically a significant disparity between how people say they spend their time and how they actually spend it. A time audit helps you see virtually everything you do so you understand what you're spending your time on. Trying one can help you identify small increments of time that can be better managed. To complete one, you start by tracking your time around the clock for several weeks. Upon completion, you should review the log for opportunities for improvement (Chunta & Boothby, 2017). You may identify interruptions or inefficient activities, excessive texting, and personal use of the Internet and social media (Chunta & Boothby, 2017). Or you may recognize small increments of time that could be used more efficiently (Chunta & Boothby, 2017). Prioritize the most important tasks, avoid too many distractions, and see if you can change the order in which you complete your tasks to make better use of your time. Additionally, you should eliminate low-priority or low-value tasks and see if you can do more high-value tasks. Maybe doing more important tasks will help you concentrate more. Sandi Thorson is an RN with an extremely busy schedule. She juggles being a wife, mother, grandmother, and a student pursuing her Master's Degree in Nursing Administration (Nelson, 2015). During shifts, he carries with him a piece of paper listing all important tasks and the times in which they must be completed (Nelson, 2015). Developing organizational skills and patience and using well-needed short breaks can?, 2014).