EMR learning curve

[lavenderskies, BSN]

I'm curious, when you converted to all EMR how long did it take for you to get up to speed and learn all the ins and outs of your charting program.

We have a fairly detailed version of Epic with a ton of imbedded hyperlinks. It seems (to me) to be inconsistent with when it will auto populate data and formerly entered names etc.

I'm returning to nursing and IT finally got my access fixed about 3 weeks into orientation. I'm new to EMR but not computers or nursing. I'm just trying to get an idea of how long it will take for me to feel like I'm not so awkward.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Honestly? With Epic, never. Just about the time that you think you've got it down, there will be a massive "upgrade" and everything's Greek again. Hate it, simply hate it.

[scoope23]

I love using Epic. I find the version that we use to be very user friendly. It's like a giant excel spreadsheet. My facility is in the process of transitioning to Epic. However, I've used this system for a couple years at a previous institution. I wasn't exactly thrilled having to sit through the mandatory training classes for Epic as my facility transitions to it especially since I'm already familiar with it. OP you'll get used to it. As with anything new, it just takes time and practice.

[lavenderskies, BSN]

I love using Epic. I find the version that we use to be very user friendly. It's like a giant excel spreadsheet. My facility is in the process of transitioning to Epic. However, I've used this system for a couple years at a previous institution. I wasn't exactly thrilled having to sit through the mandatory training classes for Epic as my facility transitions to it especially since I'm already familiar with it. OP you'll get used to it. As with anything new, it just takes time and practice.

I know I'll be ok with it eventually. I love computers. It's hard for me to have all the info trapped in this one stationary location, I think because we have such high turnover my short term memory can't retain current pt info without writing it down and making it portable.

So I'm struggling with that and then just trying to get up to speed with Epic at the same time. Am I looking at 1 mo, 2 mo, 6 mo?

[lavenderskies, BSN]

Honestly? With Epic, never. Just about the time that you think you've got it down, there will be a massive "upgrade" and everything's Greek again. Hate it, simply hate it.

At least I'll be on the same footing as the rest of the staff at that point. We'll all be floundering together and not just me being awk.

[quazar]

It took me about 4 months to really feel solid with EPIC. Other charting methods like Allscripts weren't so intimidating, for some reason. The one thing about EPIC that still drives me insane is the lack of narrative charting. I am a big time narrative charter, I like entering notes, and with EPIC there is a push to get away from that. I tend to enter a lot of progress notes. Old habits die hard.