I will be going to back to work after completing a refresher program I start in January.. Pixis was the big new thing back in the day lol..do tell, what changes can I expect to encounter from all today's new technology from nursing back in the mid-nineties?

Hello bratmobile,

I have not been a nurse for long but computerized... everything... has certainly changed the face of nursing for me within the last five years.

Computerized charting is both a blessing and a curse. I can read what other people write, see trends in one neat screen and do not have to strain my hand when writing long notes. On the other side of the coin, it is often often hard to figure out what section to go to if you have something unusual to chart and how to edit and delete. What used to take a simple line, date and initial and a little "Oopsie daisy" note can take multiple right clicks and an electronic sworn oath just to change a time stamp. Ever charted on the wrong patient on the computer? Oy. Not fun.

The other thing is that there seems to be a new multidrug resistant organism we need to be aware of every few months. Maybe it is from new, vigorous attention to the subject or maybe the world has changed. I don't know but this does not seem to be the case in the early 2000's.

Thanks for the reply! Another thing I was wondering about..cell phones were in use but not the permanent fixture they are now 15 years ago ..they were not allowed. I was wondering if phones have become more of a tool (calculator, text, etc) or if they are still not allowed..

Most facilities won't allow cell phone in my area. No need. You will probably be given a phone when on the floor so you can call all over the hospital. Some even alert you when a call light has been on for a while. I was in one hospital and the nurse pushed a button around her collar and said the CNA's name and she was connected to her. I was like...dang, I want one of those!!

Welcome back to nursing!!!

I have been traveling and doing agency for the last 5 years.

I found electronic documentation to be a whole new skill set I needed to learn and apply. We now carry cell phones we are expected to answer.. for patients, doctors and any other areas that want info on the patient.

Also the corporate mentality of pleasing the "customer" is another "application" to nursing.

As far as taking care of your patient.. that remains the same.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Thanks for the reply! Another thing I was wondering about..cell phones were in use but not the permanent fixture they are now 15 years ago ..they were not allowed. I was wondering if phones have become more of a tool (calculator, text, etc) or if they are still not allowed..

They are not allowed in patient care areas but, in my experience, people use them very liberally in the station and lounges. There are so many wonderful apps out now that it would be a loss if cellphone use for that purpose was banned outright.

I am currently in home health and a cellphone is an unwritten requirement. I have an HTC Incredible. It is vital for keeping in touch on the road, a good thing to have in patient emergencies and comes in handy when I need to take pictures and email them to the doctors (with company authorization and patient consent, of course).

Just wondering how long have you been out and specifically what are you going to be doing? Did your refresher have clinicals? I'm thinking about doing this too.

Seems that about the time pixis was new the IVAC's were also new. They came close together.

Nursing seems to have a stronger voice now. (In most places.)

LVN / LPN are not seen much in acute care.

Respiratory therapists are more abundant.

A really big change, to me, is Delegation authority.

I have been out since 97,,..yes the program will have clinicals.

Lots of changes have been made in CPR and ACLS. I am sure you will review some of the common meds used today. (Many of those have changed.) I agree with the person who mentioned "customer service." This is tied in with reimbursement now, and you will be expected to bend over backwards to satisfy everyone and their families!

I remember the Pyxis being the cool new thing too!

Computer charting is the biggest new change. Also, almost all your drug references and anything else once filed in a binder is now on the computer. Email has replaced the mailbox at work, all memos, pay stubs, required continuing education, etc are via email.

There are a few culture changes too. There is now a bigger and more overt emphasis on patient safety. On my unit we used to have concentrated potassium and sodium chloride sitting around patient rooms to mix in our dialysate bags, but not anymore. There are more medications that require another nurse to check and co-sign. Restraints are harder to get and more charting required when a patient is restrained.

Visitation has become less and less restricted.

An increase in obesity means that patient equipment has bulked up to meet demand. A stretcher used to look like an ironing board with wheels, now a stretcher is heavy even when empty.