Categories: Scrubs

Never be late for your shift again: 5 time management tricks that work

2. Reduce the amount of pre-work tasks.
Take a good look at your routine. Is there something you can move from that hectic time?

Lay out your work clothes before you go to bed.
Get breakfast items ready the day before so you can just grab what you need.
Prepare work lunches the day before.
Be sure that shampoo, conditioner and other products are replaced as soon as they’re empty so you’re not left searching for a new bottle when you need it most.
Never let your gas tank get down to empty. Fill it on your way home from work so you don’t have to worry about it on the way to work.
Be sure you have enough bus tickets or that you’ve updated your monthly transit payments so you’re not caught off guard.

3. Use appliances with timers.
Do you have a cup of coffee every morning? You can save time and have a steaming hot pot of coffee waiting for you if you have a programmable coffee maker. Just get everything ready the night before, set the timer and wake up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Or if you’re a tea person, set an electric kettle on a timer so the water is freshly boiling when you walk into the kitchen.If you’re getting ready to leave for an evening shift but you want to be sure dinner is ready for your family, crock pots (slow cookers) are a great help. You can make your dinner earlier in the day and it can cook while you’re busy doing other things. No more last-minute, thrown-together dinners before you rush out the door to work.4. Simplify your routines.
If you’re spending a lot of time washing, drying and styling your hair, maybe you could consider a less time-intensive hairstyle. Do you really need to wash your hair every day? Many hairstylists say that hair doesn’t need to be washed daily.

Skin care and makeup application can involve many products. Perhaps you can consult with a skin expert to see what types of creams or products you can use to combine some of these functions. Not only would you save time, but you could save money too. Finally, if you like wearing makeup, perhaps consider having a “makeup light” routine for work days.

5. Check your schedule.
How many times have you been at work when a nurse showed up late because she didn’t realize it was her day/shift to work? Keep a clearly outlined schedule in a place where you will notice it. Be sure to note any shift changes as soon as you can, before you have a chance to forget.

Getting organized may take a bit of work and time to get started, but it’s surprising how seamless it can all become once you’ve set up your routines. You’ll arrive at work less harried and your coworkers will appreciate having you there on time.

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Marijke Durning

Marijke is a professional writer who began her working career as a registered nurse over 25 years ago. After working in clinical areas ranging from rehab to intensive care, as a floor nurse to a supervisor, she found she could combine her extensive health knowledge with her love of writing. Although she has been published in a wide variety of publications for professionals and the general public, her passion is writing for the every day person to promote health literacy.