Time Management And Prioritisation Of Tasks In Nursing Profession: My Exoerience

Gibb's reflective cycle (1998) has been used by different professionals. Gibbs reflective cycle helps professionals to reflect and also ensure that people are continuously learning and improving.

During my last placement, I was working on cardiology/vascular/urology ward. Within these four weeks, I was allocated with four different preceptors who gave me the opportunities to learn, understand and develop all the necessary skills under their mentorship and within my scope of practice. On one morning, one of my preceptor was allocated as a team leader. I can see that she was quite nervous and stressed as the morning shifts were quite busy with most of the patient full care. While I was providing care to my allocated patients within the scope of my practice and under her supervision, she asked me to research on some commonly used medications in the ward. After showering, feeding, pre-op and post-op observation rounds, chest drain care, wound management, pressure area care etc. under my preceptor supervision. After attending all these nursing care, I decided to do the research.

On my way to research the drugs, one of the Assistant in Nursing (AIN) approached me and asked me if I could help her to provide nursing care to a bed bound patient whose bed was soiled. I decided to assist the AIN as I prioritise that providing care to a patient is more urgent than researching on drugs. I thought I can research it on any time. My preceptor/team leader came and started asking question about those drugs, at the same time she looked pressured and angry. I immediately notified her that I haven’t got chance to do the research as I went to assist an AIN with basic patient care. All of sudden, she started screaming and yelling at me, saying that as a final year student, I should work on to improve on my time management skill not basic care skill. She said as a Registered nurse I need to know my medications and it side effects. She carried on and on about it. But I can see that she wasn’t being herself on this particular day as earlier that week she was different person I was unable to figure it out this sudden change in her behaviour because for me this was a same day as always except she was a team leader that day. On the next day, she came to me and apologise for her behaviour. She broke down and explained it was first time she has given the opportunity to work as team leader but it was quite hard as a team leader and she could not ask the senior members for help as it can be embarrassed for not being able to manage it on her own.

Feelings

I was very excited when I came know that I got an opportunity to work under the supervision of a team leader. But soon I came to realise that pressure of being a leader can be overwhelming sometimes. I was angry because of RN behaviour towards me. I can do research on my break or even at home. I felt that there is no justification for leaving a patient uncomfortable in soiled bed over research on medication. I prioritise duty of care instead of researching on a medication and provide comfort to my patient when it was needed. I felt proud of myself.

Evaluation

This incident was quite challenging. The preceptor’s behaviour was not appropriate towards me. Being a nursing leader of the ward, if she thinks that a student has done something right, she should speak to them personally and calmly and should lead them to the right direction instead of yelling in front of other people. Her behaviour was unprofessional. I believe that right priority was to assist my colleague and provide care to patient on that particular time.

Analysis

As a nurse, we should genuinely care about our patient and provide them best possible. Time management and prioritisation of tasks go in hand and hand. Based on the newly received information, a nurse should reprioritise their tasks. After researching on literature on time management specially in nursing, I analysed that my preceptor was wrong as leaving a patient on soiled bed can cause skin excoriation. And I had identified the risk and minimised it. According to Nursing Midwifery Board Australia, a Registered Nurse is accountable for her actions and decisions. If I come across the similar situation I future, I will be doing the same and my actions will justify my decisions. I have also observed and analysed that being overwhelmed by work and not asking for help can lead to errors, feelings of stress, fail to prioritise tasks and ineffectiveness. This type of situation occurs with the misuse of powers and poor leadership skills which ultimately leads to a stressful work environment. A nurse or a leader nurse should respect students and their colleagues.

Conclusion

Poor leadership can also lead to poor patient safety and conflicts between healthcare professional. For a healthy workplace environment, it is crucial to work collaboratively with team. We should speak up for ourselves. In future, I will speak up and ask questions, if I feel that the care provided is not in the best interest for the clients. As a RN, providing care to my patients will be my first concern and I will also respect their dignity. Additionally, I will observe and learn from other people experiences, will always reflect to become a good leader and preceptor for the nursing students. Good and effective leadership is significant to solve complex issues related to the delivery of nursing care.

Action Plan

By reflecting on this situation, now I am aware that I require more development in challenging and questioning things which are not in the best interest of clients. My action plan will include

• ask for help whenever it is required
• research more into assertiveness skills when working with others
• justify my actions and speak up
• develop confidence to challenge the practice of others by putting patient health and safety first.