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?
Regularly take report on 3-4 PTs, and never use a pen. Except for discharge signatures, or to take notes during a nurse to nurse from another facility, or a call from an ambulance.
My department has computers. Even if they crash, I may not know everything, but I will know what I need to know.
If the system crashes all orders are hand written and that requires a pen. Lab orders, med orders, etc.
Side rant: Our med system was down one morning and one of the residents thought that was an excuse for not giving me orders for electrolyte replacements- I work in the ICU and the values were low enough I wasn't willing to wait for the system to start working (we had no clue how long it would be down at that point). I went and got the down time form and said you'll have to write it out. The very pathetic thing is that the resident had absolutely no clue how to write out the order without the computer prompting them- didn't know "mag" is magnesium sulfate and tried writing out "2 mag" then "2g mag" and "40 K+". I was really wondering why in the heck they weren't taught how to properly put in orders during med school when it was something that was drilled into us in my nursing program.
I love my Pilot pens and switch between the .7 and the .5; I put stickers on the top ends, from all those free address labels that come in the mail. I once went up to a friend who ALWAYS had a large pocket full of pens. Sure enough, there was my stickered pen. She looked totally confused, honestly did not remember picking up my pen, she just automatically pockets pens. Never asked about memberes.
We have EMR as well, but you still need Pens. And multiple colors. I write down important numbers from my assessments, I/O, What meds are due at what times, general tasky stuff. What labs need to be drawn at what time...... I cross them off as they are done and charted.
I can't always remember the exact time I titrated a gtt or how much I went up or down by. I guarantee that if I dump over 65mL of urine at 0900, I won't remb at 1100 when I get a chance to chart what that number was. I can't see how that's a generational thing.
OK all you pen infidels- EVERYONE knows you need a four color Bic finepoint or you are not a good nurse.
As if.....
Red- meds
Green= labs/ treatments
Black= overall report
Blue= cross off completed items
#yourewelcome
Papermate now makes a 4 color inkjoy pen. AMAZING!! They write so nice! And I use the dolors differently.
I take report in any various color I see fit for the day (I have a regular 4 color pen and a girly colors one) then labs in red, meds in black, blue is any updates throughout the day, and green is for orders. Because we all k ow doctors are so good about entering their own orders, right. Ha
I used to carry like 6 different pens/markers in my pockets because I'm a pen snob and like all my writing to look a certain way. Ow I just have the 4 color lens a highlighter, and a sharpie. Oh and an extra crap pen for anyone who asks to "borrow" a pen.
I would never dream of not having a pen. While I was a student or otherwise. Eeks.
I always have a pen in my pocket and it's only for my use. If I have a consent form for a pt to sign, it's on a clipboard with a pen attached to the clipboard. When I work in a different location I bug the other people because all their clipboards will have pens on them before I leave. If I let a coworker use my pen, which is rare, I'm standing there with my hand out to get it back. It's MY pen. LOL.
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.
Not a millennial thing. I'm considered a millennial, an at work I always have a pen or two on me and a note pad in my pocket. Then again we're not supposed to have phones out at work.
AceOfHearts<3
916 Posts
If the system crashes all orders are hand written and that requires a pen. Lab orders, med orders, etc.
Side rant: Our med system was down one morning and one of the residents thought that was an excuse for not giving me orders for electrolyte replacements- I work in the ICU and the values were low enough I wasn't willing to wait for the system to start working (we had no clue how long it would be down at that point). I went and got the down time form and said you'll have to write it out. The very pathetic thing is that the resident had absolutely no clue how to write out the order without the computer prompting them- didn't know "mag" is magnesium sulfate and tried writing out "2 mag" then "2g mag" and "40 K+". I was really wondering why in the heck they weren't taught how to properly put in orders during med school when it was something that was drilled into us in my nursing program.