Dumb question from nursing student...

ERNurse752, RN · Feb 23, 2005

Nowhere!

It gets better as you get more practice though. You won't have to think about it as much and will take less time. Computer charting can be nice and speed things up as well...when it's working, harhar.

Good luck with the rest of school and welcome to the board!!! :)

Fiona59 · Feb 23, 2005

That's why I'll be an LPN until the end. Far less paperwork. I want to do bedside care, not deal with setting up homesupport, social worker meetings, hold the families hand at every corner. That was the future of the RN in the LTC system I worked in. Most of the RN's knew the families and all the paperwork, but couldn't put a face to the chart, nine times out of ten..

doobiedo, RN · Feb 24, 2005

If you don't want paper work then better not go into LTC. Depending on the answers to one piece of paper may require you to fill out 3 more..!

Paper work I don't mind as much as the redundancy...vital signs have to be put in 3 places...weights in 2 places, I & O's also in 2 places.... ...etc....and if you didn't do it right you recieved post it notes or phone call reminding you about "our policy"

Never worked with computer charting as I have been out of clinical for 5 years now...I don't miss it

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Feb 24, 2005

I agree with doobiedo

I don't mind paperwork at all, it is the double (and triple) charting that frustrates me. Give me ONE place to chart something. If that makes more work for the chart reviewer or the MD looking for information - TOUGH! Yet if it were more standardized, they would know exactly where to look, so there is really no excuse for requiring nurses to double chart. It only increases the margin for error.

Don't know of ANY nursing specialty with less paperwork, can only think of specialties with MORE.

prmenrs, RN · Feb 24, 2005

To quote a current commercial: Start liking it!! There are ways that it could take less time, like computers and familiarity, but it's unlikely to decrease.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Feb 24, 2005

To quote a current commercial: Start liking it!! There are ways that it could take less time, like computers and familiarity, but it's unlikely to decrease.

I love those commercials!!

L.A.? N.O.

Hawaii? A-NO-ha.

By the way, OP, the paperwork you will be doing as an RN is NOT nursing care plans. That may make a difference in how you perceive it.

ERNurse752, RN · Feb 24, 2005

Good point. Care plans sucked my will to live. Regular charting is much, much better. Not fun, but better.

z's playa · Feb 24, 2005

:rotfl: This reminds me of the thread inquiring about minimal foot work and nursing.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Feb 24, 2005

I am a nursing student in my junior year going for my BS RN. So far I love the feild of nursing and I am excited to soon become a nurse, except for one thing...all the paperwork! I was wondering what specialties, if there are any, where there is minimal paperwork.
Thanks, Fawn

All of our documentation, including our MAR's are all on computer and it makes a huge difference. Get a job where they are already totally computerized. It's wonderful ! Shouldn't be hard to find.

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 24, 2005

Nursing is synonymous with mountainous reams of paperwork. Sad but true.

BETSRN · Feb 24, 2005

I am a nursing student in my junior year going for my BS RN. So far I love the feild of nursing and I am excited to soon become a nurse, except for one thing...all the paperwork! I was wondering what specialties, if there are any, where there is minimal paperwork.
Thanks, Fawn

There is paperwork everywhere but an excessive amount in community nursing (home health care).