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?
Self claimed pen snob here...Uniball 207.... took a class from the DEA and they showed us how patients alter prescriptions. 207 ink is tamper proof...only pen I use...and to make me more pathological, they sell pink ones during breast cancer month, and I replace the guts with one from another black uniball, because my doc would not write with a pink pen...always got my pen back!
I use my pen ALL DAY, writing notes to myself, filling out lab sheets, signing off for this and that, etc. And yeah, it's a huge pet peeve of mine too, for a new CNA, or one that rarely works with me, to say 'Oh, do you have a pen?'. I feel like saying, what am I, STAPLES? If I have to remember to bring my scissors, Sharpie, pen, little flashlight, and even other work-related paraphenalia, I'd think others can at least remember a pen. At my old facility CNA's had to chart using a pen, but I do have to admit that at my new one they do it on the computer. But still.
Thank you, Coffee Nurse!! Maybe you are just better educated than my 18-yo. Mom has a pen on her All. The. Time. Perhaps that's why she never has a pen?
An 18-year-old in 2018 isn't a millennial. Millennials are defined as being born in 1981-1996.
I'm an "older" millennial and I always carry a pen. Two, actually! One nicer ballpoint pen for me to write with and one junky pen for me to give to patients/family members when they need to sign or write something.
I'm in a unique position as both a crusty old fart and a nursing student. I always have pens. At least 2, one for me and one for a classmate that forgot their stuff that day. Not always the same student, but there is always one.
I have noticed an expectation in the 20 somethings. They still think they are in grade school. I think its worse in LPN school because the collegiate system hasn't trained them yet. When I was a 20 something, we were called the slacker generation. We thought we had our stuff together but probably didn't. I just think 20 somethings are still learning to be adults. Public schools did not require any personal responsibility like having pens. Its new to the young ones.
As a former-CNA, former nursing-student, and current new grad nurse (at 29).... I may have misplaced my car keys, left the phone on my COW, been personally responsible for leaving the bladder scanner in a patient's room, etc... but I have two fine-point InkJoy pens in my left pants pocket and no, you may not borrow them. Here, I have a leaky complementary pen advertising some college in an off-color ink in my bag you can borrow. I expect it back at end-of-shift.
I just want you all to know that I now have $30 worth of pens in my amazon cart based on the glowing recommendations here.
Pam Kaszar
1 Post
Self claimed pen snob here...Uniball 207.... took a class from the DEA and they showed us how patients alter prescriptions. 207 ink is tamper proof...only pen I use...and to make me more pathological, they sell pink ones during breast cancer month, and I replace the guts with one from another black uniball, because my doc would not write with a pink pen...always got my pen back!