The importance of time management in nursing

One of the most demanding and stressful occupations is nursing because it requires you to be extremely organized yet flexible enough to roll with all the punches so to speak.  Managing your time effectively entails certain activities such as knowing when to delegate responsibilities and making correct, critical decisions in seconds.  Additionally, you want to keep Murphy’s Law in the back of your mind at all times.  In other words, expect the unexpected to happen at the worst possible time and know how to react properly.

Improving your time management skills

Here are some suggestions for improving your time management skills in nursing:

Arrive at your shift early – this allows you enough time to assess your responsibilities for the day and scope out the work atmosphere.  We recommend setting your watch ahead so that you avoid being late and don’t have to waste time catching up at the start of your day.

Make your agenda and prioritize your tasks – make sure to write everything down and then cross tasks off as you complete them.  As a suggestion, many nurses currently prioritize their patient care responsibilities in the following manner:

• A – critical or essential
• B – important
• C – could be delayed or put off
• D – delegate to another
• E – erase from your list or ignore

Do some delegating – nothing adds more stress to your day than thinking that only you can perform a certain task.  Whenever it is appropriate, delegate some of your tasks to a capable fellow co-worker.  Just be sure that you oversee what they are doing and ask them to report their progress to you.

Stop procrastinating – a good rule of thumb here is to attack those tasks that are the least desirable or the ones that you actually dread.  Get those out of the way first so that you don’t stress about doing them during your workday.

Stay on top of your paperwork – as a nurse, no one needs to remind you of the importance of proper charting.  This is essential to remembering priorities during your shift so that you do not forget critical entries on those patient charts.

Get your life at home organized – to reduce stress at home, you should learn how to delegate tasks and prioritize them in similar fashion to your work environment.  Make sure that you schedule some down time in order to relax during the day.

Time Management Tips for Nurses | Time Management Systems

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What is time management?

In the simplest of terms, time management is defined as a range of skills, techniques, and tools used for the purposes of managing one’s time when attempting the completion of specific goals, projects, or tasks.  There is typically a wide scope of activities involved in time management including:

• allocating
• analyzing
• delegating
• monitoring
• organizing
• planning
• prioritizing
• setting goals
• scheduling

Initially, time management was used relative to a person’s performance on the job, regardless of their level of employment.  Today, the terminology has broadened to include personal activities in addition to work activities.  After all, family responsibilities are just as important as career obligations.

How to improve time management in sales

When you’re on the job, time is your most precious asset.  This is especially the case when you have a home-based business.  It’s a matter of allocating your time properly and then using it the way you intended it to be used.  For most salespeople, improving time management is a matter of changing behavior patterns or personal habits.  Here are some suggestions for improving time management skills in sales.

Break your bad habits – these include being easily distracted from the task at hand, confusing importance with urgency, and failing to prioritize.  If you work from home, it is easier to slip into bad habits because many people take advantage of their newfound freedom when they become their own boss.  It is important when you have your own home-based business that you establish clear boundaries between home and work.

Develop good habits – the best time managers are skilled at prioritizing their daily responsibilities and then focusing on the highest priority first.  Additionally, disciplining oneself is critical so that once you have established your daily priorities, you stick to your guns and complete your responsibilities each and every day that you are working.  Good time managers are well aware of the importance of being disciplined in their work.

Another characteristic of good time management is the ability to stay focused as well as setting up your work environment so that you eliminate as many distractions as you possibly can.  This enables you to concentrate more effectively so that you complete your agenda each day.  Another aspect to consider is letting your answering machine or voice mail do some of the work for you.  Just make sure that you check every hour to find out which calls warrant a callback.

Time Management for Sales People | Time Management Systems

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The key benefits of better time management

Effective time management is a key factor involved in our daily lives whether we are at work or home with family and friends.  It is the way in which you can improve your job performance as well as your own personal activities.  Some of the key benefits of more effective time management include:

• avoiding procrastination
• eliminating cramming
• gaining time
• reducing avoidance
• reducing stress
• staying motivated

The above is especially true if you are a medical student because time is your most precious asset whether you are interning or still studying.  The key to more effective time management is sometimes as simple as breaking bad habits and developing good ones.  In so many words, it is a matter of examining your behavior patterns and then changing certain ones.

Time management tips for medical students

When you are a medical student, you quickly realize that there is much to accomplish and so little time allowed for completing what is expected of you.  Effective time management is critical to your success as a medical student.  If you feel that you need more effective time management skills, here are some suggestions to consider:

Use your calendar – if you are working on a computer a lot, this only takes a few minutes to set up.  You can scale your agenda to include daily, weekly, and/or monthly activities.  Additionally, you will receive alerts via your e-mail or cell phone as reminders of what needs to be done.  This can also be fine-tuned into specific time frames.

Create an agenda everyday – whether you are interning or studying, you should do this everyday of the week – religiously.  Creating an agenda enables you to monitor your progress so that you stay on target at completing your daily tasks.  Make sure that you prioritize your tasks from the highest to lowest in importance.  It is best to make up your agenda in the evenings when your day is ending, as this will help you remember what your priorities are for the next day.

Make sure that you differentiate between your interning time and your study time, even you allocate 30-minute blocks for your studying and stick to them, it is better than trying to figure out when you will have enough time to get all your studying done over lengthier periods of time.  Finally, build in flexibility in your schedule to accommodate distractions and unexpected interruptions.

Time Management for Medical Students | Time Management Systems

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How companies evaluate employee job performance

The big concern with companies today is the quality of their employee’s job performance and ways in which to improve it with those individuals who need to step it up a level.  There are currently two ways in which a company evaluates job performance as follows:

• Quantitative data – includes sales figures or consistently meeting deadlines.  These are measured fairly easily since you have hard statistics to rely on.
• Qualitative data – includes communication and/or leadership skills and is considerably more difficult to measure than quantitative data.

Most efforts regarding job performance relate to a company’s attempts at measuring the qualitative data in organized fashion.  Depending on the nature of a particular business and the employee’s job responsibilities, the company will employ different techniques or a combination of techniques in order to evaluate the employee’s performance on the job.

3 steps to improving job performance

Regardless of the individual’s approach to improving their job performance, there is one cardinal truth to be aware of.  With the current state of the economy and with lay-offs running rampant in a variety of industries, the more valuable an employee is to their company, the more apt they are at avoiding being laid off.  Here are 3 steps for how to improve job performance:

Never assume that you will be safe by sticking with and only performing your specific job responsibilities – the key here is that you should never be reluctant to show some initiative and go that extra mile.  It doesn’t hurt to come in a little earlier once in a while as well as hanging around a little later after the workday is over.  This is a great way to get your employer’s attention.

Consider continuing education – check out your local junior colleges, colleges, and universities for courses you can take in order to improve your job performance and your skills.  Many larger companies will pay for your education provided that they see that the company will benefit from your continuing education as well as you improving your performance and skills levels.

Pay more attention to your job surroundings – this enables you to make observations and take some mental notes.  Pay close attention to the patterns of the more successful employees of the company.  Remember, in order to be successful, you should surround yourself with successful people.  Always try to be proactive, not reactive.

How to Improve Job Performance | Performance Management

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Definition of productivity

When you measure the output of a particular production method or technique per units of data input you are measuring productivity.  Where job or labor productivity is concerned, this is typically measured as a ratio of employee output per hour of labor performed.  Most productivity levels are measured quantitatively based on either input and/or output.  Measuring productivity may also entail metrics of profitability as they relate to productivity.

5 steps for becoming more productive

If you’re not getting your work completed on time because you are easily distracted or not performing up to your potential, it’s time to learn how to become more productive.  In most instances, it’s a simple matter of changing your behavior patterns while you are on the job.  The following are 5 steps that anyone can follow in order to improve employee productivity levels:

Do not multi-task – this is definitely the first step to improving employee productivity.  Learn how to focus on doing one thing at a time.  Multi-tasking dilutes your ability to focus on what is really a priority and what is secondary.

Resolve your personal issues away from the job – this is one of the biggest distractions that most individuals suffer from when they are trying to perform their jobs effectively.  Quarrels with your spouse, lover, and even fellow employees will cause you to lose focus on your job responsibilities because these issues will cloud your ability to think properly.

Try eating breakfast – many people are not morning eaters so this is easier said than done.  However, you should attempt to put more in your stomach in the mornings than coffee or soda.  Regardless of what you think, breakfast is still considered the most important meal of the day.  You might try eating breakfast a couple of days a week until your system gets used to the idea.  Then increase the amount of days that you eat breakfast one day a week after that until you are eating breakfast everyday.

Take breaks while you are working – give yourself a break once in a while, especially if you have a desk job and are using a computer all the time.  Getting away from the computer enables you to stretch and rest your eyes a bit, thus improving your productivity, as you will be more alert when you get back to your work.

Base your daily routine on what is important – this is especially the case when you first get to the job in the morning.  What you have on your agenda first thing is what starts your day off, so make sure that you prioritize your tasks and stay energetic while performing those tasks.

How to Become more Productive | Improving Employee Productivity

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Being over your head in credit card debt is affecting millions of Americans today.  For many individuals, it creates the feeling of being out of control.  However, you should know that this is not always the case.  With the current state of the economy, creditors are more willing to negotiate with you about your credit card debt because they know that getting some kind of payment is better than not receiving any at all.

Additionally, they may be willing to negotiate on a number of aspects of your credit card account such as fees, interest rates, and a repayment schedule.  In most circumstances, all you need to do is sit down with your creditors and discuss your circumstances in order to negotiate your credit card debt.  If at all possible, you want to try and negotiate instead of walking away from the debt and allowing it to be charged off.

The following is a list of 6 steps or suggestions for how to negotiate credit card debt and get back on your feet again:

Lower Interest Rates

Ask for a lower rate of interest on your account – whenever you make only the minimum payment required, most of your payment goes towards paying the interest on your account.  According to recent statistics, you could lower that rate by as much as 2% – provided you have been making your payments on time.

Asking For Waivers On The Fees

Request a waiver on all fees associated with your account – these include ATM and late payment fees for the most part.  Just be aware that many credit card companies won’t budge on these, so your request may get shot down.

Negotiating For A Payment Plan

Create your payment plan – you want to make sure that you have done this before you ever sit down with your creditors as they will be looking for this.  If you’ve been following your account payment schedule, you may not be able to negotiate a better one.  They will be more willing to work with you if you have fallen behind.

Debt Settlement

Consider a lump sum payoff – if you have the funds available, offer the creditor 25 cents on the dollar as a lump sum payment.

Put it in Writing

Whatever results from the negotiations, get it in writing – if you and your creditor have agreed on a plan of action, get it in writing from your credit card company.  Never trust an oral agreement to work with you.

Credit Counseling Services

Go to a credit counselor – this is just common sense.  Credit counseling can help you to avoid getting into these circumstances again.

How to Negotiate Credit Card Debt

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What exactly is a person’s credit score?

Your credit score is based on a statistical analysis of what is in your credit history and is a numerical expression, or “score” which represents your credit worthiness.  It is typically based on information derived from your personal credit report which is sourced from the major credit reporting agencies.  Banks and lenders, as well as credit card companies refer to your credit score anytime you apply for credit or a loan in order to ascertain the amount of risk that could be involved when extending you the privilege.

(On a related note, as part of that risk analysis, banks also check your ChexSystems report when you open a bank account)

What can hurt your credit score?

Here are 15 different things that can hurt your credit score which we have listed here, and of course there are many more. Consider the following as a basic list of “not-to-do’s” in order to maintain a healthy credit score:

1. A home foreclosure
2. Account charge-offs
3. Applying for numerous credit cards and/or loans
4. Closing credit accounts where a balance remains
5. Closing old credit card accounts
6. Closing out credit card accounts with credit still available
7. Credit card limits that are maxed out
8. Defaulting on loans
9. Filing bankruptcy
10. Having a judgment against you
11. Having accounts sent to a collection agency
12. Having only credit card accounts or personal loans
13. High balances on credit cards
14. Not paying your bills at all
15. Paying your bills late

Any one of the above or a combination thereof will damage your credit score and make it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain credit or get approved for a loan.  Many consumers fail to realize what an important number their credit score really is.  Remember that this is how creditors and lenders determine your credit worthiness.

What can you do to protect your credit score from identity theft?

With the advent of the internet, more and more individuals are shopping online and exposing their personal information to reputable and un-reputable people.  As the threat of identity theft grows every day, consider the following 5 actions in order to protect yourself from this growing internet crime:

• Be careful when giving out your Social Security number
• Compile a list of all your account numbers
• Get a shredder and destroy old paperwork
• Review your credit card statements carefully and thoroughly
• Subscribe to a service that monitors your credit regularly

Following the advice above could save you a lot of financial grief in the long run and preserve a good credit score.

How to Protect Your Credit Score

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A word about the credit score system

Nothing is more important when you are trying to establish credit and build it positively than your credit score.  When you are first starting out establishing credit, there is literally no score on your credit report.  The system works as follows based on the range that your credit score falls into:

• 500-559 extremely risky
• 560-619 risky
• 620-674 sub-prime
• 675-699 average
• 700-719 very good
• 720-850 excellent

Additionally, moving up the scale even a bracket at a time could take a while depending on how well you maintain your credit track record.

Considerations of establishing and building good credit

Determining how long it will take you to establish good credit depends on you and some important considerations.  Here is a list of 3 key considerations that affect this:

• Annual income – the rule of thumb is that the more you earn, the more rapidly you can build your credit.
• Availability of a co-signer with an established credit history – many first timers are oftentimes asked to have a co-signer who will also be responsible on your account should you default.  Although many people are willing to co-sign for a family member or close personal friend, not every co-signer’s credit is that good either.
• Existence of a previous credit history – re-establishing a credit history is not an easy thing to do, especially when your past history has relegated you below a score of 660, it will be very difficult for you to establish your credit.

Time frame involved in establishing good credit

In answer to the question “how long does it take to establish credit”, it varies significantly based on the aforementioned variables.  For instance, an individual who with no prior credit history who has secured a loan, makes their monthly payments on time, and has a good annual salary can probably build good credit within 6 to 12 months.  Conversely, the person who wants to re-establish their credit, has a bad past credit history, a low credit score, and lower income could spend up to 10 years repairing that credit history.

A few precautions

There is no bonafide shortcut to building or repairing your credit score.  However, it is a matter of good financial planning, handling your credit responsibly, and reasonable spending habits that are critical.  Following those 3 precautions can make the process easier for you.

How long does it take to Establish Credit? | Credit Tips

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What is a hardship letter?

Although this is not always the case, hardship letters are usually written based on a mortgage company’s requirements for working out delinquency on your loan payment so that a repayment plan can be established and your home does not go into foreclosure.  In the simplest of terms, a hardship letter is written from the debtor to the creditor in order to justify why they have gone delinquent on their account.  Usually, the letter will contain two things – your present financial position and a repayment arrangement to bring your account to non-delinquent status.

5 suggestions for composing a good hardship letter to negotiate your debt

If you find that you are in a financial position requiring the writing of a hardship letter to your creditors, here is what you need to include in that letter to improve the chance of any one of your creditors working with you:

Confirm payment details with creditors first – before you go any further, you want to take this step in the very beginning.  You and the creditor(s) will be able to better assess your current financial position when you do this.  You want to mention specific details such as the following:

• accrued interest
• duration left on the payments
• total amount payable

In order to avoid any misunderstandings in the future, ask your creditor(s) to confirm what you have included in this part.

Always be honest – don’t try to sugar-coat the situation and just be honest.  Remember that you are not the only person to ever experience financial difficulties.  You want to take the following steps:

• arrangements for the re-payment of your debt
• current financial status
• the reasons behind your current financial situation
• your combined outstanding debts

Keep the letter simple and to the point – don’t get wordy by including details that are not necessary to include in the letter.  Creditors and lenders hate wading through this.  And by all means, be humble and polite.

Supply applicable documented evidence – whatever documents or statements you have that back up your current circumstances and financial condition should be included with the hardship letter.  Your story will not carry a lot of weight without out this and your creditor(s) are less apt to be sympathetic and work with you.

Make sure you send the proper message – since this is your only chance at being able to negotiate a more favourable outcome for you and the creditor, you want to explain as clearly as possible why you are in your current situation.

Hardship Letter to Creditors | Consumer Debt Negotiation

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A word about easy-to-get credit cards

There are a number of reasons why individuals apply for easy-to-get credit cards.  One of the primary reasons is either because they have a terrible past credit history riddled with charge-offs and late payments.  More commonly, people who have filed a bankruptcy will look to re-establish their credit history and build a good credit score will oftentimes look at these types of credit cards.  These are oftentimes referred to as “second chance” accounts.  Due to your past history, most of the major credit card companies won’t even consider you for opening a credit account.

How to obtain easy-to-get credit cards

Surprisingly, even if you have bad credit, there are some options available for easy-to-get credit cards.  However, a bad credit history will make it more difficult for you to obtain credit or get a loan for a large purchase until you re-establish your credit and improve your FICO score.  One of the benefits of easy-to-get credit cards is that they can help you by enabling you to re-establish your credit.  Here are some tips for obtaining credit cards:

Apply for credit accounts at smaller retail operations – these entities are usually more receptive to giving a person a credit card account.  Should you be approved for an account, make a small purchase and then pay it off over a few billing cycles.  Remember to pay more than the minimum payment in order to avoid excessive finance and interest charges.

Talk to your bank, credit union, or savings and loan – if you already have an account with one of these entities, they may be less reluctant to extend credit to you.

When all else fails, apply for a “secured” credit card – just remember that you will have to provide collateral in order to open this type of account.  You may be required to open up a savings account so that the account is secured against you defaulting on it.  Usually, they will afford you a credit limit that equates to a certain percentage of the deposit you made to open that savings account.

Ask a family member or close friend to co-sign for you – this is often a tough step as many people may be reluctant to do this knowing that you have had credit troubles in the past.  Additionally, you want to make sure that whoever you select as a co-signer needs to have a good credit history.

Easy-to-Get Credit Cards

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