Here's how you can effectively manage your workload and prioritize tasks for future success.

Working in a case management department with large caseloads of high acuity patients can be daunting. With referrals coming in continuously throughout the day, having a supervisor triage the cases prior to assignment proved to be the right strategy. If a high risk case came across the desk, the supervisor could complete a quick chart review, request records and make recommendations to the nurse assigned. The nurse could then pick up the case quickly and take action, while the supervisor remained aware of the situation and could assess outcomes.

Setting boundaries in healthcare is a matter of your wellness to prevent burnout but is also a matter of protecting patients’ wellness as fewer mistakes are made and patients receive better care from workers who have reasonable workloads. This awareness helps employees pressured by systemic staffing shortages to do more than is reasonable for their energy or capacity. Repeated boundary violations by employers is a major warning sign that the employer places profit over employee wellness and patient care. It can be especially difficult to maintain boundaries where understaffing is seen as business as usual. One way to destroy a career is exposure to constant stress hormones which erode mental and physical health, sometimes permanently.

Managing workloads and prioritizing tasks are essential for future success. Here are?four steps?you can take to improve productivity and stay on track: Create a Task List: Begin by listing all your tasks across projects. Break down larger tasks into smaller subtasks. Include details like estimated time, importance, and due dates. Choose a Prioritization Method: Consider methods like: Eisenhower Matrix: Categorize tasks based on urgency and importance. Eat the Frog: Tackle the most challenging task first. Schedule Tasks in a Calendar: Allocate time for each task based on priority. Communicate Progress: ?Keep your team informed about your progress. ?Regular updates foster collaboration and accountability.