Computers in Nursing

A little story first: I was not looking forward to registering for my first MBA course. Every university registration I had been to has been a mass of hundreds, if not thousands of people trying to get their desired courses. You would get to the front of a long line only to be told the computer just went down. So, I'm on the campus of this highbrow, private "oldest university west of the Mississippi" trying to locate a group of people registering. Very few people are around; did I come on the wrong day? I finally locate the business school and enter. A secretary introduces herself and I tell her I'd like to register. "Ok, what courses would you like?" I tell her and she takes out her pencil and writes my name and courses on a yellow legal tablet. "Ok, thank you." I turn and walk out in a daze. Less than two minutes tops...so simple, so effective...nothing to break down...so zen!

So what do you guys think of computers in your workplace? We went to a computer system about 2 years ago and I think it is slower. I've always loved a 24 hr flowsheet (on any unit). I could get them and make my rounds and come back with my patients assessed and a first note made. Everything that had happened that day was right there. Computers sux sometimes!

The Veterans Administration has a mandate from the President to go paperless. I don't know when the date has been set, but it will happen.

I the area that I work in we are trying different types of computers to see which one works best.