Balancing the Use of TimeBalancing the Use of Time

N493N493Robyn KennyRobyn KennyEmily HartsonEmily HartsonCaroline LutesCaroline Lutes

Kristy KingKristy King

• ““Don't say you don't have enough time. You Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.” Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.”

H. Jackson BrownH. Jackson Brown

ObjectivesObjectives

• Assess three barriers to time Assess three barriers to time management in the lives of a nursing management in the lives of a nursing student and/or nurse.student and/or nurse.

• Explain three effective methods to Explain three effective methods to manage time.manage time.

• Appraise three benefits to leading a Appraise three benefits to leading a balanced lifestyle as a nursing balanced lifestyle as a nursing student and/or nurse.student and/or nurse.

PurposePurpose

• Evaluate common techniques for Evaluate common techniques for time management.time management.

• Demonstrate that greater emphasis Demonstrate that greater emphasis should be placed on leading a more should be placed on leading a more balanced lifestyle in nursing.balanced lifestyle in nursing.

Life as a Nursing Student…Life as a Nursing Student…

Nursing Program Nursing Program ExpectationsExpectations

• 30 credit course load (33 in first 30 credit course load (33 in first year!)year!)

• Clinical expectationsClinical expectations

• Intercession and summer coursesIntercession and summer courses

• Stress levelsStress levels

• Pass/Fail Skills testingPass/Fail Skills testing

Life Outside of NursingLife Outside of Nursing

• Family lifeFamily life

• FriendsFriends

• WorkWork

• Extracurricular InvolvementExtracurricular Involvement

• VolunteeringVolunteering

Barriers to Time Barriers to Time ManagementManagement

• STRESSSTRESS

• Unforeseen EventsUnforeseen Events

• Lack of SleepLack of Sleep

• Study EnvironmentStudy Environment

• CommuteCommute

• Schedule ConflictsSchedule Conflicts

• Elective CoursesElective Courses

What does the Research What does the Research say?say?

• Effective time management has been Effective time management has been found to be found to be moremore powerful than leisure powerful than leisure activities at reducing the stress levels of activities at reducing the stress levels of undergraduate students.undergraduate students.

Misra, McKean, West, & Russo (2000)

•Time management is a “buffer” for academic stress (i.e. frustration and other psychologial, behavioral, and emotional reactions)

Misra, McKean, West, & Russo (2000)

•Female undergraduate students were found to have better time management skills than males, however females were also said to experience the most stress.

Misra and McKean (2000)

•Kearns & Gardiner (2007) found that having a clear goal and purpose was the most effective way to reduce distress, stay on task, manage time, and to boost morale.

•Know the 5 “W’s”

Life as a Registered NurseLife as a Registered Nurse

Job ExpectationsJob Expectations

• Shift workShift work

• Multiple PatientsMultiple Patients

• Continuing EducationContinuing Education

• Being an integral part of the multi-Being an integral part of the multi-disciplinary teamdisciplinary team

• Prompt, accurate, and appropriate Prompt, accurate, and appropriate documentationdocumentation

Barriers to Effective Time Barriers to Effective Time Management as a Registered Management as a Registered

NurseNurse• Understaffed UnitsUnderstaffed Units

• Limited suppliesLimited supplies

• Patient overloadPatient overload

• Changing Work EnvironmentChanging Work Environment

• Illegible orders and progress notesIllegible orders and progress notes

• Personal LifePersonal Life

• Ineffective working relationships Ineffective working relationships

Studies Show...Studies Show...

•The use of time management The use of time management techniques is correlated with job techniques is correlated with job satisfaction and job performance.satisfaction and job performance.

•Time management techniques Time management techniques reduce procrastination and worry.reduce procrastination and worry.

(König, C. J. & Kleinmann, M. (2007). Time Management Problems and (König, C. J. & Kleinmann, M. (2007). Time Management Problems and Discounted Utility. The Journal of Psychology, 141(3), 321-34)Discounted Utility. The Journal of Psychology, 141(3), 321-34)

•Time management techniques relate Time management techniques relate to adequate control of time.to adequate control of time.

•Time management techniques have a Time management techniques have a positive effect on health and well-positive effect on health and well-being.being.

(Claessens, B. J. C., Eerde, W. V., Rutte, C. G., & Roe, R. A. (2007). A (Claessens, B. J. C., Eerde, W. V., Rutte, C. G., & Roe, R. A. (2007). A review of the time management literature. Personnel Review, 36(2), review of the time management literature. Personnel Review, 36(2), 255-276.)255-276.)

Advice for Better Time Advice for Better Time ManagementManagement

7 ways to better manage 7 ways to better manage your time:your time:

• 1. USE RESOURCES!1. USE RESOURCES!• 2. Use an Agenda2. Use an Agenda• 3. Know yourself3. Know yourself• 4. Minimize Interruptions4. Minimize Interruptions• 5. Multi-task when possible5. Multi-task when possible• 6. Prompt completion of work6. Prompt completion of work• 7. Private time7. Private time

Crosby, J.W. (2004). Ten time-management tips for family physicians.Crosby, J.W. (2004). Ten time-management tips for family physicians. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 170Canadian Medical Association Journal, 170(6), 949-950.(6), 949-950.

Leading a Balanced LifestyleLeading a Balanced Lifestyle

What is Balance?What is Balance?

“a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc.”

(Dictionary.com)

Do nurses really practice what Do nurses really practice what they preach?they preach?

• Smoking Smoking higher incidenceshigher incidences in nurses in nurses (Psychosocial Nursing, 2005, Research Quarterly, 2005, & Watson, Whyte, (Psychosocial Nursing, 2005, Research Quarterly, 2005, & Watson, Whyte, Schartau, Jamieson, 2006)Schartau, Jamieson, 2006)

• Obesity Obesity higher incidences in nurseshigher incidences in nurses(Miller, Alpert, & Cross, 2008, p. 259)(Miller, Alpert, & Cross, 2008, p. 259)

• Suicide Suicide higher incidences in nurses higher incidences in nurses (x4!) (x4!) (BBC News, 2000, Hawton, Vislisel, 1999, & Katz, 1983)(BBC News, 2000, Hawton, Vislisel, 1999, & Katz, 1983)

• StressStress

SmokingSmoking• Some studies have shown that nurses who smoke are less apt to Some studies have shown that nurses who smoke are less apt to

view themselves as appropriate role models for patients, and view themselves as appropriate role models for patients, and therefore feel uncomfortable encouraging their patients to stop therefore feel uncomfortable encouraging their patients to stop smoking (Psychosocial Nursing, 2005, & Research Quarterly, 2005)smoking (Psychosocial Nursing, 2005, & Research Quarterly, 2005)

So, what can we do?So, what can we do?

Stress Relief!Stress Relief!

• Social Social spending time with friends, spending time with friends, familyfamily

• Solitude Solitude ‘me time’, reading, vacation…‘me time’, reading, vacation…

• Physical Physical yoga, walking, swimming…yoga, walking, swimming…

• Spiritual Spiritual church, meditation, altruistic church, meditation, altruistic activities, thoughtactivities, thought

• Emotional Emotional laughter laughter

(I(Iwasaki, MacKay, Mactavish, 2005)wasaki, MacKay, Mactavish, 2005)

We are making habits for We are making habits for life...life...

““Until you value yourself, you won’t Until you value yourself, you won’t value your time. Until you value your value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with time, you will not do anything with it.”it.”

M. Scott PeckM. Scott Peck