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?
I not only always carry pens I carry reasonably expensive pens. I'm horrible with leaving cheap pens laying around and the money I spent replacing them made them not so cheap. I don't lose track of my expensive pens so I figure they save me money in the long run.
I admit i am a pen addict,Years ago when we had to tape iv bags with a time frame label strip I had an astro pen that could write upside down.I had the mad men pen worn by Joan ,looked so nice just hanging between my V neck scrubs. I used an engineers rapidograph with permanent ink for tiny spaces iit's tip measured 00 and could write on a philodendron leaf.Ahh the bic velocity in purple ,the micron 01 drawing pen, ooh gasp.I have to stop.
I'm a millennial and I carry minimum 4 pens, a sharpie, a highlighter and a dry erase... most of which I lose and re- find over a 12 hour shift, no less than hourly. I buy my inkjoy pens in bulk boxes of 30, and have converted many on my unit to these bad boys. write like a dream, cheap enough to not worry if it falls in a toilet.
edited to add- I carry scissors, steth on a hip clip, alcohol swabs, flushes, hand sanitizer, and my portable phone that's about the size of a brick. and my report sheets. there's usually syringe caps and flush caps in there too for good measure.
Not truly a crusty old bat, until you carry it around your neck on a lanyard.. "nobody get's my pen" !
I must be a TRUE crusty old bat because I do the same thing. Actually, I do it so I won't lose it. Since I do home hospice there aren't any pens to steal......unless I'm in the office.
For anyone attending critical care convention NTI 2018 - See you in Boston! , you may run into allnurses.com tnbutterfly in her black collared shirt with allnurses logo --- ask her for an allnurses.com pen...... they are the BEST pens lasting several months. Highly sought out by those attending past NTI conventions.
I want you to know I looked up the dates, just because I want a stinking pen! Then thought putting out $1000 just to get one was a bit illogical. I haven't had an allnurses pen in TEN WHOLE YEARS, or more!
That is a great organization idea meanmaryjean. I love the idea of the colors it's just all that clicking on the tiny little buttons and the big pen. That blue and white pen is rather large. Whew, I do admire y'alls' perseverance; that'd be a bit much for me to deal with all day long.
My paper brain had different squares for different stuff, meds, labs, tests, NPO status, etc.
I always liked the nice free pens from drug reps the very best. When they sprout legs and walk off it's not quite as sad/bad.
Papermate has nice slim ones. Ordered them on a regular basis from Amazon when working the floor. The problem I kept encountering was the black running out way before the other colors. So I just started carrying a black pen and my 4 color pen.
Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN
5,047 Posts
The only reason I referenced it was it was your line. AN gold!