Older nurses taking forever to computer chart

[Giga]

I've been working on the surgical floor for 9 months now and I'm starting to feel like I'm getting the hang of things on my unit. I've learned a lot of tips and tricks and my time management has really improved.

One thing I'm getting really frustrated with is that some of the older nurses take FOREVER to computer chart. And from my observation a lot of it comes from them not "knowing how to use a computer" the same way younger people do. To do a routine assessment on a total knee for example probably takes me 5-7 minutes, and that's not me rushing or anything and only talking about routine stuff. The same assessment would take some of these nurses anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

It's a little frustrating at times when they need help with other things because they used all their time "charting". Or when I need help but they can't help me because "If I leave this screen I might lose it and I've spent too much time on this!".

And truth be told I think maybe sometimes they're doing it on purpose because it gives the illusion of working, but that would be MEAN and I TRY to give everybody the benefit of the doubt.

[bagladyrn, RN]

It's become pretty obvious that the OP has no interest in solutions to help her coworkers. Instead she merely wants to boost her own standing by undermining her more experienced coworkers.

A final thought for the OP: You may succeed in getting rid of one or two of your coworkers with these techniques but just about when you start feeling powerful you will find out what vendetta really means. Also realize that these higher ups who are using/encouraging you to undercut your coworkers are NEVER going to let you get to a position where you could do the same to them! They already know what kind of person you are.

[nursel56]

I've read all the replies from people telling me that I need to reexamine my own priorities and that "there's no wonder they won't help me". Them helping me isn't really the issue, it's them making me do task for them because they're pussyfooting around on the computer.

Also let me make it clear that they are NOT spending additional time with patients, they're spending their time sitting behind the nurses station slowly drinking coffee while slowly punching keys one at a time at the computer.

In your first post you stated that you felt the main issue was caused by their lack of familiarity with the system. That's why you got all those replies with suggestions about how to help them pick up their speed. The little zinger at the end hinting that the real reason was because they were slackers was couched in sarcasm, but now it appears that it actually was the primary point of your story.

I don't think the issue of who helps who or who is computer literate or not is important. Forgive the blunt assessment, but the first thing you need to do is to learn how to be honest. This sort of stuff is poison to the culture and morale of your unit.

You have a problem with them asking you to bail them out as they have spent the day in some sort of coffee-drinking trance (the way you tell it)? Do you have a chief or are all of you winging it each day like the Lord of the Flies unit? Did I miss the part where you acted like a mature professional and registered your complaints through the channels available to you? Who is it that is "actively encouraging you to look for charts you think have something funny or wrong about them"? And why would a person who had the authority to tell you to do that ignore a situation where only one nurse in the bunch actually gets out of their chair? There is so much to this that makes no sense.

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

In your first post you stated that you felt the main issue was caused by their lack of familiarity with the system. That's why you got all those replies with suggestions about how to help them pick up their speed. The little zinger at the end hinting that the real reason was because they were slackers was couched in sarcasm, but now it appears that it actually was the primary point of your story.

I don't think the issue of who helps who or who is computer literate or not is important. Forgive the blunt assessment, but the first thing you need to do is to learn how to be honest. This sort of stuff is poison to the culture and morale of your unit.

You have a problem with them asking you to bail them out as they have spent the day in some sort of coffee-drinking trance (the way you tell it)? Do you have a chief or are all of you winging it each day like the Lord of the Flies unit? Did I miss the part where you acted like a mature professional and registered your complaints through the channels available to you? Who is it that is "actively encouraging you to look for charts you think have something funny or wrong about them"? And why would a person who had the authority to tell you to do that ignore a situation where only one nurse in the bunch actually gets out of their chair? There is so much to this that makes no sense.

You think Giga really is a nurse? With a username like that, he/she is either ex-IT staff....or still IT staff.

I asked why Giga started this thread, and I haven't had an answer, but those responses I read told their own story. If Giga really is a nurse, he or she is one of those despicable types who seek to curry favor with management in the most underhanded, insinuating way available.

However, I doubt it; starting a thread aimed specifically at older nurses who simply do not have the same IT experience as Giga is deliberately setting a match to tinder, especially on an internet forum where such a large number of members are themselves "older nurses."

Nice try, Giga. Stay out of the sun now, you hear?

[rn/writer, RN]

Staff note:

Please, refrain from making references to trolls and troll-like behavior.

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Thank you.

[Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I]

Being in my mid 50's, in my last 2 jobs I would have LOVED to have EMR's. The few tasks that could be done on the available computer DID throw off some of our older staff, but I attribute that to lack of instruction from administration as that would cost money and was "not in the budget."

Yes, frequently I had to correct the mistakes, but I tried my best to educate those who were willing to take the time.

[OCNRN63, RN]

In your first post you stated that you felt the main issue was caused by their lack of familiarity with the system. That's why you got all those replies with suggestions about how to help them pick up their speed. The little zinger at the end hinting that the real reason was because they were slackers was couched in sarcasm, but now it appears that it actually was the primary point of your story.

I don't think the issue of who helps who or who is computer literate or not is important. Forgive the blunt assessment, but the first thing you need to do is to learn how to be honest. This sort of stuff is poison to the culture and morale of your unit.

You have a problem with them asking you to bail them out as they have spent the day in some sort of coffee-drinking trance (the way you tell it)? Do you have a chief or are all of you winging it each day like the Lord of the Flies unit? Did I miss the part where you acted like a mature professional and registered your complaints through the channels available to you? Who is it that is "actively encouraging you to look for charts you think have something funny or wrong about them"? And why would a person who had the authority to tell you to do that ignore a situation where only one nurse in the bunch actually gets out of their chair? There is so much to this that makes no sense.

OMG, I loved that!

[elkpark]

btw The baby boomers invented computers. Boomers used computers before Windows. Well before all computer languages were dumbed down or made simple for the masses.

Exactly. My first experiences with computers were in my first go-round in college in the early '70s, when the only computers on campus were in the basement of the science building and took up half a room each. I managed, through sheer determination over a long period of time, to eventually become reasonably competent (for an amateur) with DOS. I remember clearly the first time I saw a computer running Windows -- honest to God, my first thought was, "OMG, what a horrible idea -- now dumb people will be able to use computers. This should not be allowed ..." (There are a lot of days I still feel that way ... )

[Quark09]

My first semester of nursing school, I had an instructor that drove me absolutely batty. She was all over the place during her lecture, easily sidetracked, had examples that didn't quite fit with the lesson, and generally had the entire class worked up by the time lecture was over. And oh, how we B**CHED about her!! She was "too old" (graduated from a diploma program; ICU nurse for 45 years, etc) "too disorganized"... I'm sure some of you have been taught by someone similar. And we all freaked when we found out she was the one doing our cardiac section. She was the last person I wanted for a clinical instructor.

Then the next year I had her for clinicals. I fully credit this woman with teaching me every vital piece of information I have regarding charting by exception, full assessments, picking up on what the patient was not telling me... you bet I ate my words when I had her in clinical. I was thrilled when she picked me up for the last semester.

The hilarious thing was, when we were on the floor with her, she was just as stymied by the computers as a fresh grad. The woman could run a code like no other, but when it came down to all the drop-down menus, pharm codes, etc she got completely flustered. One of our other students happened to be quite the computer whiz, so he helped the rest of us out until we got the hang of the system.

And by the way, OP, she would have handed you your orifice for flying through an assessment in 3 minutes. Just sayin

[kcmylorn]

I think the orginal poster has and continued to give a shinning example of the age discrimination that has infected our nursing profession. Back in my day- we had older nurses but we certainly didn't treat them like this- We may not have LIKED them, but we sure knew who to run to when we needed help. And they sometimes knew we needed the help before we asked. All I can say to the so call'Nursing" management that has seeded and ferilized this malignant ideology is "What goes around, comes around" and believe me- I have seen it!

This "random" chart audit bit a.k.a lets get rid of the older nurses is only done to fatten management's pockets. Original poster- you are just along for the ride, and when management is done USING you- you will be tossed out with yesterday's census report. Wake up little one!

[nursel56]

You think Giga really is a nurse? With a username like that, he/she is either ex-IT staff....or still IT staff.

I asked why Giga started this thread, and I haven't had an answer, but those responses I read told their own story. If Giga really is a nurse, he or she is one of those despicable types who seek to curry favor with management in the most underhanded, insinuating way available.

However, I doubt it; starting a thread aimed specifically at older nurses who simply do not have the same IT experience as Giga is deliberately setting a match to tinder, especially on an internet forum where such a large number of members are themselves "older nurses."

Nice try, Giga. Stay out of the sun now, you hear?

Yes, I did make that name connection which was actually puzzling in the sense that the posts weren't appearing to lead to an agenda of some sort, as many of the trolls/spammers will do pretty quickly. A common trick will be someone appearing to ask a legitimate question about weight loss, and about 3 posts in will place a link to their online pharmacy.

I guess they must think we are stoopid or somethin'. Since I'm usually on during the wee hours local time I see them before anyone else. I do so enjoy reporting these jerks. One guy very systematically went from Forum to Forum writing a thread and posting, writing and posting repeat repeat repeat like he was building a spider web or something. I wrote him a little note explaining that spam is a big no-no here, and he would be advised to stop now and go annoy people somewhere else, but I guess he didn't believe me. Ahhh. . well . . .that ==poof!== you're gone! did have an element of satisfying instant karma. :)

[nurseontheway]

My mom is not a nurse but she is in her 50's and is completely intimidated by the computer. I am a new Nurse and we have a Nurse at work that struggles with using the computer- she has many years of experience and I think that she will catch on to the computer eventually. I think that we all need to learn patience because I am sure that it isn't easy to put up with new grads either :)

[tthor5220]

I am an "old" nurse (age 55) I am ok with computers as I have been using them for many years in work situations and outside of nursing. The one thing I have learned about computers is there are always multiple ways to get jobs done. I personally have always looked for the simplist and most direct way to achieve any task. Computers can be a pain at times, but in the long run they are the best way to get things done.