The first step to mastering time management is to assess how you spend your time. One way to do this is to use a time management tracking tool.

Thanks to our recently published book, Quick-E! Pro Time Management: A Guide for Nurses, we have a template you can start using today. Check it out here.

During the course of several shifts, note how you spend your time. Once you have collected the data, look for patterns. For example:

• Are you routinely skipping your breaks?
• Do you spend more time looking for supplies than conducting patient assessments?
• Are you spending a disproportionate amount of time on one activity versus another?

Give the tool a try and let us know what you discover about how you spend your time.