Older nurses taking forever to computer chart

allnurses Guide · Jan 2, 2011

They're random in the sense that there's no specific rhyme or reason as to why one chart is chosen over the other, but we're actively encouraged to pull charts that we think something might be wrong or funny about.

That doesn't make sense. I think a better use of your time would be to brush up on your Begriffsschrift. I could explain that, but I'm too busy right now. I need to go on allnurses and tell everybody that you don't know how to construct a logical sentence. Also, if the concept above was extrapolated into the way you do your job the least of your issues would be carping about somebody else's charting.

should be on a timed competency test on Since, at the time I pulled said charts, I didn't have any suspicious that'd superseded the reasons I pulled the charts I pulled.

Ouch! Downside of EMR. Have you ever considered what it would be like if this were the other way around and you had to write your notes out on paper? Proper spelling and coherent sentences would be a problem for you. I would hope some of your co-workers would help you, but it would be unlikely. If you think they don't know your true colors you are wrong. Us old bags tend to get a 6th sense about those things. A person who would say this:

Side note I think I got a small incentive bonus because of the number of charts I audited that month

I might call a snake in the grass, and you rattle.

As for HAL? Joshua? C'mon! I just couldn't resist showing you guys a picture of me checking my e-mail the other day.:)

skyblue1484 · Jan 2, 2011

Thank God I finally made it to this web page. All those drop down menus and numbers are so confusing! And then the stupid computer would take me somewhere else and I would have to start all over. I need to go lay down and rest my 52 y.o. bones. I exhausted already and I don't start nursing school until next week.

Seriously OP, did you ever think that maybe the "older" nurses are actually thinking about what they want to chart instead of just click, click, click? As you mature in years you will see that everyone has different ways of doing things and people work at different paces. From my past work experiences I can tell you that the person who quickly finishes their work and sits there smugly staring at everyone usually ends up talking a big fall. Do you know why? Because they don't know everything and just because they can do it quickly they may not be doing it properly and usually have only their interests in mind - not those of the team or in your case the patient.

Btw, you say no one has enough time to help you when you need it. Certainly, you can see why. You need to become part of the team before you start commenting about what the other members of your team are doing. Good luck to you, I think you're going to need it.

heron, ASN, RN · Jan 2, 2011

You're taking away more from the comment than neccessary-
"The general definition of an audit is an evaluation of a person, organization, system, process, enterprise, project or product."
If there's a recognised problem somewhere, then it is acceptable to find out the whys of it. What the OP might want to do it to take out the term, "mature"? It is instigatory,I should know.

My point exactly ... the OP is "evaluating" the charting of specific older nurses with the active encouragement of her management.

My further point is that OP seems uninterested in finding out the "whys" of it ... her "solution" is aimed solely at nailing those she perceives as too slow: the timed computer test, with no follow up on what to do with those who fail it.

She has a great future ahead of her in the right corporation.

SandraCVRN · Jan 2, 2011

You haven't even defined the problem. Are they slower because they don't type fast? Because they can't see the monitor well? Because they don't understand the program? And it is, indeed, your problem to solve ... you're the one complaining, after all!
.

When my first preceptor was teaching me how to do some things on the computer...looking up labs, placing orders etc.... I noticed she was very frustraated, for all that she was a great nurse, no one had ever explained some of the very basics of the computer. No one had ever explaimed that when putting the courser (sp) over an underlined item you had to make sure you got close enough for the arrow to change to a finger. (I don't know the technical terms for any of that)

I made her day when she learned she had to get the "finger" for the click to work...... She taught me tons of nursing stuff and I taught her how to get the finger!!! :lol2: Luv you Becky!!!

safs · Jan 2, 2011

It is frustrating when older and younger but we should all be so fortunate to reach a ripe old age hey, but some older nurses still have to work too and maybe they are grappling with systems they dont understand also...just as younger nurses struggle to understand old school concepts and ways.

Have some sabr (patience) and help each other out, older nurses have much wisdom and experience and should you fall ill, it might just be one of these women giving you your bed bath lol.... :)

martymoose, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2011

maybe the op would feel more suited to a production line or assembly line where his/her speed and efficiency are valued.

What gets me is that the op complains that the co - workers are slow, and could not have possibly had a different day than they did. maybe they slow poke had a day like I had- was in the poopers room every hour, the cp room every 2 hours, the pain meds iv every hour- the heparin gtts, the cardizem gtts, etc. Gee, I guess I wasn't very efficient then if I didnt get my charting done toot sweet( and old fart saying lol)

karma will bite thee in the azz someday.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 2, 2011

small font?edit and increase the font.hope that helps.

not helpful. some of those forms with the small font cannot have the font size increased without changing the screen resolution -- something only it can do.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 2, 2011

to the ones saying they're making extra notes or doing a more detailed version, all i can say is that is not the case in my situation. i know because i've been curious about this for a while so when i'm doing my montly random chart audits i've made a point to pull certain pts that have had x or y nurse for several days and i've combed through everything paper and computer. they most certainly are not taking a longer time because they're doing a more detailed job.
i know i'm venting and it is not fair to generalized. i was just wondering if anybody else had the same frustrations as me. maybe i'm just stuck with some lazy nurses that are stuck in their ways.

what part of "random" do you not get?

this whole thread is quite interesting because i'm sure you'd be one of the first to jump on the "nurses eat their young" bandwagon. evidently nurses eat their elders . . . let's make that a slogan.

southernnrs777 · Jan 2, 2011

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.

You are giving benefit of doubt? Doesn't sound like it..and I am one of the old....nurses....We are use to actually being with the patients..and NOT spending so much time charting....this is difficult....and frustrating..but once we get it...we get it!...GET IT?

my opinion is that a lot the younger generation nurse can be .... flatout RUDE

mushrooms4 · Jan 2, 2011

Wow! You are very harsh in your judgement there Giga. And, maybe in the 5-7 minutes you spend charting, you may not realize you are missing some critical assessment details. Computer charting hasn't been around very long and these older nurses remember a day when they had to heparinize their own abg syringes, wash out bedpans, and count the gtts to calculate their infusion rates. Even on vasopressors! Give them a break and also quit being so overly confident and smug- it will turn around and bite you in the butt. If you find yourself with so much time on your hands, you are either cutting corners or you are missing some critical thinking skills. Maybe you should ask them for input on your skills and critical thought processes- learn from them.

GHGoonette, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2011

I think there's a plump little troll out there, getting too much to eat,,,,

tntrn, ASN, RN · Jan 2, 2011

You won't be limited re: how much you can earn. You will be limited by how much of your SS you are willing to have taxed - or reduced - or whatever their outrageously stupid rule is. Check this out, it's very important. But please don't say you're not allowed to earn as much as you want to earn/work as much as you want to work.

True. I should have been more clear. I am choosing to limit my work hours and thus my pay, so that I can the SS that I will soon be able to get. I have no intention of working too much in order to make that happen. I've been looking forward to retiring for several years now, and I consider this a stepdown process.

You're not allowed to earn over $14,160 (I think) a year AND get your SS payment. How's that?