Crap! Am I a crusty old bat nurse?? Carrying pens...

[klone, MSN, RN]

So I've noticed an interesting phenomenon lately. Our unit regularly gets students of various kinds - nursing, EMT, APN, etc. The nursing and EMT students sit in on report. Because they come to the unit often looking lost and uncomfortable and out of place, I try to do my best to get them oriented and comfortable. Explain the report, give them a report sheet and a clipboard and a place to sit.

But one thing I've noticed is that almost always, they don't have a freaking PEN!! I've snapped at a few of them, "Rule number one...ALWAYS have a pen on you!"

Yesterday my charge nurse pointed out that since everything is on the computer, they probably rarely need/use pens. I kind of had an "Oh ****!" moment. Is she right?? Is it actually possible to get through your day as a nurse without needing to carry a pen (or 2 or 4) in your pocket nowadays?

[Emergent, RN]

No, you need a pen, in order to write notes on the sacred parchment (AKA paper towels).

[ICU-BSN]

Nope. I write everything on my brain sheet. It lives in my pocket. Right alongside my pen. And don't even think about asking to borrow my pen...I trust no one to touch it. Lol.

[Davey Do]

But one thing I've noticed is that almost always, they don't have a freaking PEN!! I've snapped at a few of them, "Rule number one...ALWAYS have a pen on you!"

Amen klone!

My work wife Eleanor consistently needs a pen before taking report! I've asked her, "Do you even think about needing a pen? Do you think something along the lines of 'Oh, do I think I'll need a pen sometime during my shift? Probably not!'"

I always have two pens, Pilot G-2 #7's, in my ink stained scrub shirt pocket that are placed there, along with my badge, door and swipe keys, before I get out of my vehicle!

[Farawyn]

I always have a member nearby.

[Farawyn]

Oh.

PENS.

Nevermind.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

I always have a member nearby.

I can't tell if this is your dry wit, Far, or if you made a typo!

Klone, it may be a millennial thing. My millennial daughter never has a pen with her. She text/types stuff into a memo on her phone. Pen and paper (towel, scrap or even my hand) works better for me.

[JKL33]

Well, they likely know that they can't use phones for notes/pics.

So not having an alternative means of taking notes would seem to say you have no expectation/intention of learning or being exposed to anything of which you might want to make note. Doesn't exactly demonstrate a sense of motivation.

Maybe your charge nurse is onto something here, though. What if the stark difference in apparent motivation is nothing more than, "Well, we have no way to take notes....so....?"

***

Do you then give out the pens, too? And, if so, does it perk things up at all?

Oooh, one more thing: They also might be getting questionable info from wackos who have made them believe they aren't allowed to write anything down, "Cuz that'd be HIPPA."

[OldDude]

I always have a member nearby.

Me too

[Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN]

It's not a millennial thing. I'm a millennial. I always have a pen on me, at work or otherwise. I'm pretty sure this is a learned nurse behavior, not an age thing.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Me too

We've come to expect that from you, though.

[Crush]

I always have a member nearby.

Just snorked my tea.

I can't imagine working without pens in my pocket and extra in my locker. Sometimes I go to work with 4 pens and come home with 1. My favorite though is sometimes I hit the jackpot and go to work with 4 pens and come home with 6 or 7. No idea who I stole from but finders keepers.