How to Manage a Busy CNA Shift

When you work as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), you’re no stranger to busy days. You might wonder how to manage your workload, meet patient needs, invest in your well-being, and adjust to a pace that can change at any given moment.

There are several steps you can take to help make the process smoother for others and for yourself. Keep reading to learn more about ways to prioritize tasks, stay flexible, keep yourself organized, communicate, ask for help, and take care of yourself during your CNA shifts. 

Learn How to Prioritize 

In the field of nursing, your number one priority at all times should be tending to patient needs. In some cases, these might be urgent, such as critical concerns or time-sensitive issues. No matter what you have on your plate, it's crucial to prioritize these immediate needs above all other tasks. 

Once all urgent matters have been addressed, you can focus on your other responsibilities. Try to put scheduled routine care high on your list and save non-urgent tasks like stocking rooms for later when you have some extra time. 

A helpful strategy as you try to be as efficient as possible is taking care of multiple tasks in one trip when it makes sense. Preventing unnecessary trips can save you some time on more fast-paced days and give you a window to take care of other things on your list. 

Stay Flexible

As you do your best to prioritize and plan, it’s also important to remember that flexibility is key as a CNA. Healthcare situations can change very quickly, and you will have to adapt to the unexpected at times. 

Whether an emergency arises suddenly or you are asked to assist with something at the last minute, there may be instances where you must rearrange some of your tasks. 

Try to keep a flexible attitude at all times, even when things don’t go how you planned. Healthcare is a very collaborative, fast-paced field, and environments are strongest when the team works together and reacts well to quick changes. 

Keep Yourself Organized

Organization is essential in this role. Beyond making things easier for you and other healthcare workers, it helps you keep track of essential patient information and any changes in their condition. 

Here are some tips to help you stay organized:

• Get there early: Arriving a few minutes before your shift can give you the time you need to plan your day, access necessary supplies, and mentally prepare. 

• Take notes: Be sure to take extensive notes whenever you can to help you keep track of upcoming tasks and remember things that your patients need. 

• Document everything: One of the single most important parts of your CNA position is documentation. This is where you can create a clear record of patient care and health, including noting changes. Staying on top of this is imperative, as it keeps all members of a patient’s care team up-to-date on their condition. 

• Carry a bag or belt: Some things are helpful to keep on your person, such as penlights or trauma scissors. Having a belt or bag allows you to store and access things quickly and easily. Just make sure your facility allows this.

• Stock rooms: Beyond carrying things with you, stock rooms with adequate supplies that you and other team members will need throughout the day. 

• Develop a routine: When you can, stick to a routine that involves continuous documentation, consistent rounds, and pre-shift preparation.  

Communicate  

Communication is another critical element of being a CNA, and it can greatly help with patient care and your overall work environment. Listening to your superiors always comes first, and their experience can be very valuable to you.  

It’s also your job to inform other nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers about essential patient information. You might be the first to notice a change that needs to be reported immediately, and it’s up to you to relay that information to the people who need it.

Additionally, you will communicate with patients throughout your shifts. Approaching each conversation with compassion, kindness, and a willingness to listen can go a long way for patients who might be experiencing pain or discomfort. 

Accept Help

Asking for help is a strength in nursing, not a weakness. If you ever find that you need help with your workload in order to provide the care that everyone needs, your peers can assist you. In the same way, there will likely be times when you help out others with their responsibilities. 

If there’s anything you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask questions. It’s important to speak up when you don’t know something so that you can learn from the experience and apply that knowledge in the future. 

Take Care of Yourself

Your health matters, too. Make sure you’re looking out for yourself before and after workdays so you can feel your best. Do your best to get enough sleep every night, make nutrition a priority, and give yourself time to recharge, socialize, and rest. 

And during your shifts, try to focus on these areas:

• Taking breaks: When you have a window, take breaks as permitted. Even a quick pause can be exactly what you need on a busy day. 

• Prioritizing nutritious meals and snacks: You’ll want to be sure to fuel yourself properly throughout long shifts. 

• Staying hydrated: Additionally, drink plenty of water, as you’ll be on your feet moving for extended periods of time. 

• Stretching: Finally, take moments to stretch when you can so you can prevent soreness and stiffness. 

About Idaho Healthcare Institute

At Idaho Healthcare Institute, we work with the College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) to support nursing students on their academic journeys. We’re proud to offer scholarships for the CNA program at CEI so that students can focus their energy on their studies. 

 As you make your way toward your CNA career, we encourage you to check out all of the resources that are available to you. To learn more about our offerings, get in touch with us today.