"I use the nursing process as a way to organize my thoughts. I always have a long-range general gridwork or plan of things that need to be done and when, and then I tailor each day by prioritizing the specific needs of the day. I reverse engineer the schedule months ahead and pencil in deadlines of the mechanics of the shift, such as when reports are due, schedules need to be completed, or supplies need to be ordered. I put things on automatic when possible, delegate when needed to responsible parties, and always tackle the most important and pressing item first thing in the morning, so there is ample time for completion or resolution."

"I work very well under pressure, and the best thing to do when there is a lot of pressure is to stay organized. I create a list in my time management software, prioritize the most urgent assignments, and delegate work where I can. The workflow is seamless if I stay focused and know exactly what needs to be done."

I find that the best way for me to prioritize and stay organized is to write a to do list at the end of each day for the next day. This list includes things that need to be done the following day. When I come in in the morning and I am able to evaluate what is happening I can re-prioritize if I need to but I at least have a starting point. I always prioritize patient safety and care and once those things are situated, I can begin my other tasks.