chicken scratch

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I am so fed up with bad handwriting in patient charts. Sometimes I'll stare at written notes and wonder if I could actually be a nurse. It takes me a long time to figure out what something says.

I don't understand why it is so hard to write. I know this is very dangerous, I asked a nurse what a word was and she thought it was Morphine.

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If you cant read the docs writing, call for an order clarification, NEVER guess as to what they MIGHT be saying!

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This is a problem that has been going on a long time. Some hospitals are going to a "computer only" system, where the doc has to put the order in him or herself. I think it's wonderful because then it is their responsibility!

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Specializes in Interventional Pain Mgmt NP; Prior ICU and L/D RN.

They do tend to forget to give the course in decription while in nursing school don't they??:) LOL

Always clarify if you aren't sure.....I can say you usually get pretty good at reading the orders though..eventually....

My facility is going to be going to computerized entry system eventually and that should help us.....GOOD LUCK!

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Originally posted by itsme

If you cant read the docs writing, call for an order clarification, NEVER guess as to what they MIGHT be saying!

Amen!My grandmother was a nurse for over 25 years.When I first started school she was always telling me when in doubt ask questions,and if I couldn't read what a doctor wrote ask.Better safe than sorry.

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its not that it is "so hard" to write, its just so time consuming, work 12 BUSY hours and dont even start charting until after u have given report to the oncoming shift, see how pretty ur handwriting is, not excusing it, just explaining it.

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Specializes in Acute Medicine/ Palliative.

My instructor told us to read it upside down! It works! BUT ALWAYS CLARIFY WHAT YOU ARE UNSURE OF!

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mmmm sorry my handwriting is also bad....

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Originally posted by Mithrah

I am so fed up with bad handwriting in patient charts. Sometimes I'll stare at written notes and wonder if I could actually be a nurse. It takes me a long time to figure out what something says.

I don't understand why it is so hard to write. I know this is very dangerous, I asked a nurse what a word was and she thought it was Morphine.

I agree... ithink its laziness

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