By Mardi O'Keefe

A written or digital work diary is a valuable tool for tracking your professional journey. It can be helpful for future applications, performance discussions and reviews or if any issues arise.

What to include

• Daily activities and tasks: Record what you worked on, including specific tasks, procedures or meetings.
• Work hours and breaks: Note your start and end times, breaks and any overtime worked. 
• Challenges and issues: Document any difficulties faced, whether they involve patient care, workplace dynamics, or personal challenges.
• Conversations and instructions: Record details of conversations with supervisors, colleagues, or HR that may impact your role, tasks or work conditions.
• Personal reflections: Include notes on how you felt during the day and any insights gained, as this will help you reflect on your progress over time.
   

When to write in it

• Daily entries: Writing daily is ideal, as it ensures information is fresh and complete. A few minutes at the end of the workday can be enough. 
• Immediately after key events: If something significant happens during the day (e.g. workplace conflict, major procedure), it’s useful to make a note as soon as possible. 
• Weekly reflections: If daily writing feels burdensome, commit to summarising weekly.
   

Other records to keep

• Emails and communications: Save copies of important email conversations or notes from meetings.
• Photos of schedules or workspaces: These can help illustrate workload or conditions.
• Performance reviews or feedback: Keep a copy of formal and informal feedback for future reference. 
• Documentation of hours worked: Having a secondary system, like rostering software or even a digital record of clock-in/clock-out times, can back up your diary notes.
   

How you might use a work diary

As an intern, you might use a work diary to document your rotations, procedures and training. For instance:

• Recording shift patterns: Note your shift start and end times, along with any extra hours worked.
• Documenting critical incidents: After a challenging procedure or patient interaction, record details about the case, decisions made, and any guidance given by supervisors.
• Tracking progress: As you rotate through different departments, use the diary to track new skills learned and areas for improvement. When applying for specialist training positions, this record supports your application by demonstrating competence and commitment. 
• Workplace concerns: If you experience workplace harassment or bullying, documenting the date, time, and details of incidents creates a solid record.

Mardi O’Keefe is the Director of Engagement & Professional Growth at AMA Victoria.