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What are the best strategies to stay focused as a nurse?

Nursing is a demanding and rewarding profession that requires a high level of concentration, attention to detail, and multitasking. However, staying focused as a nurse can be challenging, especially when dealing with stress, fatigue, distractions, and competing priorities. In this article, you will learn some of the best strategies to stay focused as a nurse and improve your productivity, performance, and well-being.

1 Plan your day

One of the best ways to stay focused as a nurse is to plan your day ahead of time and prioritize your tasks. You can use a planner, a calendar, or an app to organize your schedule and set realistic goals. Planning your day can help you avoid wasting time, reduce stress, and cope with unexpected situations. It can also help you balance your workload and delegate tasks when necessary. Try to review your plan at the beginning and end of each shift and make adjustments as needed.

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Katie Tores, BSN RN

Clinical Manager II at BAYADA Home Health Care
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Time management is a critical skill as you progress in your career. Especially if you aspire to specialize in a field with autonomy, such as home health care.

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Lakeisha N. Falwell, MS, NP, RN, AOCNP®

Trusted Nursing Expert | Valued Legal Nurse | Assisting Attorneys Nationwide By Reviewing Medical-Related Cases From an Experienced Healthcare Perspective | Nurse Practitioner | Registered Nurse
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Staying organized is a key skill of efficient nurses. Using planners, check lists or other systems to stay focused are key in using your time wisely.

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2 Minimize distractions

Another important strategy to stay focused as a nurse is to minimize distractions that can interfere with your concentration and quality of care. Some common distractions include noise, interruptions, phone calls, emails, and social media. You can minimize distractions by wearing headphones, turning off notifications, setting boundaries, and finding a quiet place to work. You can also communicate with your colleagues and patients about your availability and expectations and ask them to respect your focus time.

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Lakeisha N. Falwell, MS, NP, RN, AOCNP®

Trusted Nursing Expert | Valued Legal Nurse | Assisting Attorneys Nationwide By Reviewing Medical-Related Cases From an Experienced Healthcare Perspective | Nurse Practitioner | Registered Nurse
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Distractions for nurses can be numerous, so it is important to minimize them as much as possible. This is especially important when performing skilled or high risk tasks like medication administration, pulling out medications, phone calls with providers to get orders, patient education, etc.

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3 Take breaks

Taking breaks is essential for staying focused as a nurse, as it can help you recharge your energy, relax your mind, and prevent burnout. Breaks can also improve your mood, creativity, and memory. You can take breaks by stepping away from your work area, stretching your body, breathing deeply, meditating, or doing something you enjoy. You can also use breaks to hydrate, snack, or socialize with your peers. Try to take breaks every few hours or whenever you feel overwhelmed or tired.

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Karyn Buxman, Neurohumorist, Speaker Hall of Fame

The Leading Expert in Brain-based Strategic Humor to achieve true success, lasting significance & genuine happiness.
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Our brains can only manage a limited number of tasks—even when we're at our best! Add some stress & confusion & now that amount is drastically reduced. Here’s a suggestion that may surprise you: Use humor—no joke! Dr. Lee Berk researched brains of those experiencing humor compared to those experiencing stressful or neutral events. Those experiencing humor showed a whole brain activity—gamma waves. This is the same kind of brainwave pattern we witness in people who are experiencing deep meditation, mindfulness & flow. Creating periodic brain breaks with humor—intentionally & consistently—will help you refocus your attention & gain back lost cognitive capacity—vital for the safety of your patients, colleagues & yourself. #therapeutichumor

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Lakeisha N. Falwell, MS, NP, RN, AOCNP®

Trusted Nursing Expert | Valued Legal Nurse | Assisting Attorneys Nationwide By Reviewing Medical-Related Cases From an Experienced Healthcare Perspective | Nurse Practitioner | Registered Nurse
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Nurses are often on the go for most of their shifts. Caring for patients requires a lot of communication to other care providers and to patients and their families. It is important to take breaks to rest and to allow yourself to slow down.

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4 Learn to say no

Learning to say no is another valuable skill for staying focused as a nurse, as it can help you avoid overcommitting, overworking, and underperforming. Saying no can also help you protect your time, energy, and health. You can learn to say no by being assertive, respectful, and honest. You can also explain your reasons, offer alternatives, or suggest a compromise. Saying no does not mean being rude or selfish, but rather being realistic and professional.

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5 Seek feedback

Seeking feedback is a useful strategy for staying focused as a nurse, as it can help you improve your skills, knowledge, and confidence. Feedback can also help you identify your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. You can seek feedback from your supervisors, mentors, colleagues, or patients. You can also ask for feedback regularly, openly, and constructively. You can use feedback to set goals, track your progress, and celebrate your achievements.

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Lakeisha N. Falwell, MS, NP, RN, AOCNP®

Trusted Nursing Expert | Valued Legal Nurse | Assisting Attorneys Nationwide By Reviewing Medical-Related Cases From an Experienced Healthcare Perspective | Nurse Practitioner | Registered Nurse
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As a nurse, it is important to stay open to feedback. Nursing and medicine are always changing and advancing and there are also often multiple ways to accomplish the same task. Seek feedback and input from those with more experience or that are stronger in a specific skill.

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6 Reward yourself

Rewarding yourself is a fun and effective way to stay focused as a nurse, as it can help you motivate yourself, appreciate your efforts, and enjoy your work. Rewards can also help you reduce stress, boost your morale, and increase your satisfaction. You can reward yourself by treating yourself to something you like, such as a meal, a movie, a massage, or a hobby. You can also reward yourself by acknowledging your accomplishments, sharing your success, or thanking yourself.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best strategies to stay focused as a nurse?

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1 Plan your day

2 Minimize distractions

3 Take breaks

4 Learn to say no

5 Seek feedback

6 Reward yourself

7 Here’s what else to consider

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