Older nurses taking forever to computer chart

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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. :uhoh3:

I have thought of a solution. A timed computer competency test. So if somebody passes it but then still takes a long time charting then you know they COULD go faster but they simply choose not to. Thank of all the advantages of going slow, mainly that you look busy when you're not and then you can con people into doing some of your job for you.

I seriously doubt that you with your attitude are doing ANY work for these "older" nurses. 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.

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Specializes in med-surg, step-down, ICU/CCU, ED.

OP,

You've got some major tunnel vision going. Do you think you're going to be young forever, and that the current technology we're enjoying will not evolve in the next 40 years? Do you really think you'll be able to keep up with technology well into your midlife and older age? Come on now, get some perspective!!

I'm "only" 38, but I remember a time when I was able to actually create simple "DOS" programs as a young teenager. Nowadays I don't even know how to set up a web page, all I know is how to put in my username, password, type and scroll. And I consider myself very computer literate. My point is- technology evolves faster than we age, and you are absolutely nuts to assume that the older nurses are being lazy, or to even wonder why "they" are so slow.

Your time WILL come when you are in their shoes (God willing). It's the cycle of life, and there is room for all of us, young old and in-between. Please be patient.

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Specializes in Phlebotomist, nursing student.

So if it takes you longer than one of them to pass meds, but you do eventually get it done, it means that you could go faster if you wanted to but choose not to? Sorry, but your logic doesn't hold up for me.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Quite honestly, everyone could learn to see the other's point of view. OP, the older nurses are probably just a little more thorough. Those drop down menus fail to truly capture the full assessments for most patients. Unless everything is stable, I don't see how you can chart on these patients in 7 min. Furthermore, these older nurses are a wealth of knowledge. Computer charting is a very minute detail to single out, if you ask me. Similarly, nurses that stereotype new grads make it harder for some of us. Clearly, t here are problems with both lines of thought here.

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By your own admission you had enough "extra" tiime to do so many audits you got a bonus......who was doing patient care while you were doing audits? Did you bother to go in and spend a little extra time with a patient since you had so much time to spare? I refuse to make the computer the number one priority. My patients come first. Period.

I can tell you this much for sure and for true, it was me. I'm getting tired of the whiners and "task stretchers". I guess it wouldn't be so bad if they didn't constantly talk about how busy they were and at the end of the shift they're all like "Oh I'm so glad it's over it's been a killer". NO it hasn't. You're just wrong. It's been a routine day with routine task.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Personally, I think we've got the OP pegged: a management operative happily at work weeding out those pesky overpaid old fahts. Bet she's a charge in a year and a manager in three. Seems to be where her heart lies.

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op, what is your role in this?

are you their supervisor?

if so, then it's your responsibility to see how you can help.

if not...then why not let their actual supervisor carry your burden (;))...

and worry whether these nurses are working up to par, or not.

(sheesh...these whippersnappers today.:rolleyes:)

leslie

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I know my initial statement were age discrimination, but a lot of people are being just as discrimnatory by holding older nurses to a different set of standards. "Oh she's older, she doesn't have to work at the same rate as the rest of us".

There's no reason they can't learn to chart faster and then do it. They're capable, quit making excuses for them.

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.
Personally, I think we've got the OP pegged: a management operative happily at work weeding out those pesky overpaid old fahts. Bet she's a charge in a year and a manager in three. Seems to be where her heart lies.

We had a manager like that for 3 years and finally! she is gone.

This pesky overpaid old faht is going to a very mimimal schedule, since I'll be getting SS and will be limited to how much I can earn. Let the young take over....maybe I should set up a consulting service for nurses! Yes, I know how to take Paypal:)

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So you are frustrated (your word) about older nurses who take forever to computer chart. Now that you have 9 months of nursing experience and your own time management has improved you are so bothered by this that you are randomly auditing older nurses' charts to try to get them in trouble with management? As a new nurse you need to concentrate on honing your own nursing skills. Criticizing coworkers will never make you look good to management. Older nurses are not obligated to get out of the way to make room for new nurses. BTW, I'm in my 32nd year of nursing and I was here for the inception of computer charting 20 years ago. Don't need any help thanks. Got it down pat.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Be careful what you wish for OP. We all age, and technology changes. IMO, your statements appear very cold and disrespectful. More importantly, if you are so busy with patient care because these older nurses are slower, how is it that you have time to also note what they are up to?

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Specializes in Hospice.
I know my initial statement were age discrimination, but a lot of people are being just as discrimnatory by holding older nurses to a different set of standards. "Oh she's older, she doesn't have to work at the same rate as the rest of us".

There's no reason they can't chart learn to chart faster and then do it. They're capable, quit making excuses for them.

It's a beginner's mistake to equate speed with quality, so the statement about "standards" is a non-sequitur, as is the narrow focus on speed with no attention to context or cause.

And there's a difference between trying to explain and making excuses ... and if you were really concerned with solving the problem that vexes you so much, you would have figured that out.

Root cause analysis ... look it up.

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