I’m a checklist person, and this list is so satisfying! Anyone else use checklists and feel happy when all tasks are completed? Completed checklists instill a feeling of accomplishment and productivity for me. I love the visual cues and color-coding, too! No “Incomplete” reds or “In Review” yellows here! I mean, just look at all that “Complete” GREEN!
My to-do list for my background check and clearance for my nursing program is finally complete! Some of the things I had to do or submit before school started were a criminal background check, drug screening, immunizations and titers (immunization records were not enough), CPR/Basic Life Support Certification, Hospital Fire & Life Safety certification, physician’s physical examination and respirator clearance, and HIPAA Certification. I had many items on my list already done since I volunteer at a local hospital, but there were many school-requirements not needed by my volunteer program or that were about to expire. Even if I had the task or item complete, it took time to scan and upload all the documentation and more time for the background-check company to review and “approve” the submission.
TIP: Gather and electronically scan all your immunization records because immunization requirements (or waivers) are standard for working in a hospital setting. Have your certifications available too. An instructor advised me that I would need to provide these items regularly since each hospital/clinical site has their own clearance process and some things must be done annually or periodically as a healthcare worker. Having these records readily available and organized saves time and allows self-tracking of upcoming expiration dates.
If you already collect and organize your documentation, I’d love to hear what organization system you use! How do you keep track of tasks you need to accomplish? Share your tips in the comments below!
The Mature Student Nurse 