ATTN Nurses: How do you use writing on an everyday basis?

[FriendlyGhostRN]

Hello everyone! For my writing course, we are to interview people already in our chosen profession about how they use writing in their job on a daily basis. I know nurses mainly use writing for documentation, but I would love some in-depth descriptions and other ways all of you use writing in your jobs! All comments are wonderful and I thank you in advance for your time! :)

[NurseyPoo7]

Writing orders and documentation.

That's about it.

And, actually, we are using writing less and less. Our documentation is on the computer, so for assessments we have check boxes.

[lpnflorida]

Hello everyone! For my writing course, we are to interview people already in our chosen profession about how they use writing in their job on a daily basis. I know nurses mainly use writing for documentation, but I would love some in-depth descriptions and other ways all of you use writing in your jobs! All comments are wonderful and I thank you in advance for your time! :)

I use my writing skills in making requests or expressing concerns to Management, ex: supervisor, DON

I use writing skills to thank my fellow workers, or to express condolences to former patient's family

these are just a few way in which the ability to write comes in handle.. please do not correct my syntax or punctuation lol

[TopazLover, BSN, RN]

Certainly every nurse needs to use writing for charting on pt. I have done lots of Policy and Procedures. Most people hate to write them but they are so necessary to keep up with current practice. I love to write P&P. Now you are more likely to find me writing here. I think this is a great way to keep mind active in areas I don't work.

The writing I used to hate was evaluation of employees. How can you give an accurate picture of any employee in such a small snapshot.

Probably more than you wanted, sorry.

[RN4NICU, LPN, LVN]

Hello everyone! For my writing course, we are to interview people already in our chosen profession about how they use writing in their job on a daily basis. I know nurses mainly use writing for documentation, but I would love some in-depth descriptions and other ways all of you use writing in your jobs! All comments are wonderful and I thank you in advance for your time! :)

It's important not to gloss over writing for documentation. Yes, there are check boxes for some documentation programs, but in some situations, they are not adequate to record the entire picture and you must use a narrative.

The chart is the legal record of everything that occurred during the patient's stay. If it is not in the legal record, it did not happen. If the record is inaccurate, it can affect all participants in the patient's care. It can also affect the patient's medical care. Many disciplines review the medical record and decide, at least in part from what they read, what their course of action will be. If the medical record is not adequately descriptive, whoever is reading it must come to their own conclusions - those conclusions may be correct or incorrect. You can see how important it is to be accurate and descriptive from the beginning rather leave someone to try to guess what you meant when you wrote it.

Further, legal cases usually go to trial (if it gets that far) more than a year after an actual incident. I can't remember the names of most of the patients I cared for more than a year ago, much less anything I may have done for them. My memory is the medical record - if that's what I recorded, that's what happened. If it isn't in there, I really couldn't tell you if it happened or not.

Writing skills are very important, both in the medical record and in other communications. Consider this (as I have many times when reading some of the posts on these forums): how much faith do you put in the competence of someone who can't seem to form a coherent sentence or spell the simplest words correctly? If you were to read a submission of a journal article that was riddled with typos and improper grammar, would it affect your opinion of the author's knowledge?

[Butterfliesnroses]

I once witnessed a nurse punch a resident in the face. There was a trial of course...Actually there were 2 different trials...Anyways, each witness had to document what happened....That documentation really helped to jumpstart my memory on the incident...SO when documenting be specific as possible. Use all the tiny details you won't think will matter, because if it comes down to a court case it WILL matter...Just from an aide.

[JB2007, ASN, RN]

Where I work we still hand write all of our documentation. Therefore, I use my writing skills for nurses notes, PIER reports, doctor's orders, notes to managers and co-workers, ect. Outside of work I am writing everyday to people such as my children's teachers, my family, and buisnesses. I think that a well written note or letter gets a better respones then a sloppy poorly written note in most cases. Like OPs have stated good documentation could help you in court.

[Lily631]

Writing skills are very important, both in the medical record and in other communications. Consider this (as I have many times when reading some of the posts on these forums): how much faith do you put in the competence of someone who can't seem to form a coherent sentence or spell the simplest words correctly? If you were to read a submission of a journal article that was riddled with typos and improper grammar, would it affect your opinion of the author's knowledge?

I would just like to stress this point. The manner in which we write and speak is a direct reflection of our capabilities and knowledge (and I mean humans here, not just nurses). Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling in writing is as important as good diction in speaking. With proper and precise language we convey not only our meaning, but also our education and a sense of confidence that shows the reader or listener that we have a firm grasp on the topic and that they can trust the information we provide.

It may be helpful to remember that even when we are not at work, we are still nurses, so anything we write is the work of a nurse, whether it be instructions for the baby sitter, or an op-ed piece for the local paper.

[FriendlyGhostRN]

I just wanted to say "thank you" to all who have taken the time to reply! All of your responses are greatly appreciated, and were highly insightful. Thanks again, and have a great day everyone! :)

[premedturnednursing]

I would just like to stress this point. The manner in which we write and speak is a direct reflection of our capabilities and knowledge (and I mean humans here, not just nurses). Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling in writing is as important as good diction in speaking. With proper and precise language we convey not only our meaning, but also our education and a sense of confidence that shows the reader or listener that we have a firm grasp on the topic and that they can trust the information we provide.

It may be helpful to remember that even when we are not at work, we are still nurses, so anything we write is the work of a nurse, whether it be instructions for the baby sitter, or an op-ed piece for the local paper.[/quote]

WOW. I just want to say that I am blown away by the statement that I put in bold. I am a nursing student....and I never thought of it that way. More and more I am realizing just how powerful my role as a nurse will be... thanks for that pearl of wisdom! I appreciate it!

[RazorbackRN, BSN, RN]

Also, remember that writing doesn't have to involve a pen and paper. Writing is also expressed via emails, texting, and other electronic communication methods.

[bookwormom]

As a nursing instructor, I use writing skills in numerous ways:

• construction of syllabi and clinical exercises
  
• construction of tests and quizzes
  
• communication with clinical agencies
  
• communication with colleagues
  
• student evaluations
  
• student recommendations
  
• committee work
  
• proposals for new programs, etc.