Length of time to learn documentation

[js621d]

I throw this question out to all those who are involved in teaching nurses electronic documentation at your facility:

1. What is a reasonable amount of time for a nurse new to a facility to learn how to use the electronic documentation system?

2. How much time does your facility allot for new hires to learn the system (how many hours or days is devoted to the education)?

Thanks to all!!

[caliotter3]

Know this is not a complete answer but attended training at a hospital that was two days, six hours each. Seemed reasonable.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I throw this question out to all those who are involved in teaching nurses electronic documentation at your facility:

1. What is a reasonable amount of time for a nurse new to a facility to learn how to use the electronic documentation system?

2. How much time does your facility allot for new hires to learn the system (how many hours or days is devoted to the education)?

Thanks to all!!

1. I guess it depends on you definition of 'learn.' When our hospital started using a EHR, we had a day long orientation. Based on this, I was able to do all the basic charting, but I still did not know it it all. After a couple of weeks, I knew how to do all the basic operations, but still did not know much about everything (for example, I worked nights, so I really didn't know all the things I had to do to discharge a pt, even though we did this as a practice senario in our day long class). Two years later, I now have a good understading of almost anything, but still learn new fuctions of the system almost daily.

2. I have seen classes as short as a few hours to ones that are day long (8 hrs) to some that are even 2 days long. Depends on the facility and the program.

[js621d]

Thanks for your feedback. I'm trying to get a feel for what is reasonable. Personally, I think it should be fairly basic so new nurses, especially graduate nurses can concentrate on putting everything together (what they learned in school and incorporating that into the "real world." I know the EMR will be an ongoing learning process. My concern is they should be confident in documentation and not sweat over "where do I document this and did I go that correctly."

[stephenfnielsen]

We do about 12hr over two classes. I think it's kind of a moving target because so many nurses are moderately proficient with EMRs these days so they need less time in classes. I'm pushing our facility to move more to a CBT/scenario based proctored class where students go at their own pace and learn the bare minimum, followed by an orientation with an EMR savvy preceptor who can teach unit specific workflows in the EMR. This as opposed to the "follow my clicks" method that is so common/brain numbing.

[js621d]

Our facility uses the "follow my click" method (and indeed it is mind numbing!) I too want to teach only the minimum - just enough for the nurse to be able to document in a reasonable amount of time (I've heard complaints of admissions taking up to 2 hours!). My mind has been rolling around with development of scenario based teaching - something that puts the documentation in context for the nurse.

[Mijourney]

I agree with psu_213 that learning the EHR depends on the facility and program. It also depends on how comfortable the nurse is with technology. If you have a nurse that has limited knowledge of computers, then it may take that nurse weeks to become comfortable using the EHR.

As far as admissions, there should be some provision allowing the patient and/or family to complete parts of the admission electronically. After all, the patient usually is entitled to full access to his/her records and is also responsible for participating in his/her care.