Difficulty Orienting with Younger Nurse?

Syntax error · Dec 21, 2008

I'd be willing to bet that you could benefit greatly from some Adult education courses on computers. Some of them are useless, but those that have "assignments" where you have to demonstrate knowledge can be extremely helpful.

The scenarios that you describe are in fact common amongst people who have not used computers as they were growing up.

Something I point out to people who are learning computers as an adult, who are amazed at how quickly their children can learn them. The only thing that distinguishes your children and you from learning computers is your children have no fear of them.

Good luck!

wooh, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2008

I'll agree. I really grew up with computers (my dad's work had me with computers at home earlier than other people my age.) It's a comfort thing.

I think the thing to remember when computer charting (any kind of computer charting) is to allow the computer to do what it wants to do, then add what you feel you need at the end. You want to chart A, B, C, D, E. The computer is set up to run you through E, D, C, B, A. Don't fight it, go with it. And at the end, if you still have F that you want to chart, there's always somewhere you can fit it in.

Atheos · Dec 21, 2008

Unfortunately, the time is soon coming when lack of knowledge of computers is not going to be tolerated.

Try thinking about from younger people's POV. Personal computers have been around since the late 1970s.

I mean really. Upwards of 30 years. It's time to stop iththe I just don't understand computers bit and learn them.

If you can pass the NCLEX you can figure out how to use a computer.

It's the future. Stop being Luddites and get with it.

Bocephus71RN-BSN, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2008

I went back to get my bachelor's many years after being out of school. It so happened to be a time when I never used computers. Things had went from DOS run programs and apple computers to windows and the WWW/ So when I went back to school I had to drop out of many classes cause i could not keep up, and many papers lost to cyberspace...hahahaha....laugh it up let the young one show ya,,,,,,,as many times as it takes ....you can learn it

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Dec 21, 2008

I have a young friend who is also a new nurse like me. The first thing she told her preceptor is that she learns better by doing. Don't we all? :) It's like driving. If someone else drives you, then how will you learn the way? When you drive the car, then you know the way to go. Same difference. :)

yalienne · Dec 21, 2008

I have a young friend who is also a new nurse like me. The first thing she told her preceptor is that she learns better by doing. Don't we all? :) It's like driving. If someone else drives you, then how will you learn the way? When you drive the car, then you know the way to go. Same difference. :)

Good reasoning. Very true. But I also think a computer course would be an invaluable tool at this time.

THAT Nurse., MSN, RN, APRN · Dec 21, 2008

I come from the other side, I am the younger one.

As a tech, some of the nurses had me helping them navigate the computers at work. It took me a while to realize that most older folks just aren't fast with computers. Once I realized that, it was easy to teach them, I just lean back, give her the mouse, and guide her. Takes a while at first, but you'd be surprised how fast she started getting things done once I stepped back and cut the cord.

Not nearly as fast as me, but she was nominally independent.

Here's what do, get the controls. Make the other nurse stand beside/behind you and verbally walk you through it, then you can get the physical interaction.

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2008

My mother is sixty, so did not grow up with computers. She has a PC and is a Tech Support nightmare. I swear, I would not want to be the one on the other end of the phone when she calls Tech Support.

I bought her an iPod Shuffle for her birthday last summer, thinking it would be nice for her to have something to put her oldies on to listen to while out in the yard gardening, or puttering around the house. I showed her how to set it up, how to put music on it, and everything, and honestly, I don't think she uses it because she cannot remember how to make it work.

I think it definitely has something to do with the differences between having grown up with computers (my generation) and not (her generation).

I am turning 40 this year, and I remember when we first got PCs in our library at school.

As others have mentioned, if computers are an area of difficulty for you, I'd suggest taking a class.

angel337, MSN, RN · Dec 21, 2008

why is she clicking through the program?? you should have the mouse in your hand and it will be a lot easier. it is very initimidating to learn something when you are not actually doing it. good luck, you'll be fine.

mikeicurn, ASN, RN · Dec 21, 2008

The nurse I am orienting with seems like a very good nurse but when it comes to teaching me the program, her patience is being tested. I feel like an idiot!!!! She clicks away so fast and thinks I should be able to follow. Is there something unique about brains that grow up with computers?

Young people don't usually have the patience to teach. About 8 years ago I worked for a while in the tech support department of an Internet service provider. Everyone else around me were 18-20year old computer majors. They had all kinds of computer knowledge, but had no patience. A lot of our older customers had called in to complain, or dropped their service because of it. Management hired me because of my personality more than my knowledge. My Dad experienced the same thing when he first got a computer and would have to call tech support. They were short with him and talked down to him. I don't know what the solution is to your problem, I just wanted to give you some support. Maybe you could try to find someone a little more mature to teach you what you need to know. I agree with some of the others that have posted, you need to grab the mouse and do it yourself in order to learn. Good luck.

Creamsoda, ASN, RN · Dec 21, 2008

Just really try to reinforce that YOU need to be doing it while she walks you through it. Just say something like, excuse me, but can I have a look at the computer, and then get her to tell you. Myself, I am younger, and have grown up with computers. Its hard for alot of people to understand that the older generation dont get computers, but I really try to have patience with my co workers who are slower. Big deal, as long as they eventually "get it" not a problem if they are slower. The other day, I was typing away, and a 50 something nurse was staring at me, saying "oh my god! look how fast you can type!" She was baffeled. As she continued on typing with her index finger. I think it helps that while I was in school, since I can remember, we had computer class, and we had to do the typing drills, and had to try to acheive cerrtain word per minute drills. We took computer classes from probably grade 3 to grade 10. So of course its second nature. Where as my dad, never had to do that kind of thing, and only started using computers in his adult life, still doesnt really know how to type. He still uses his index finger to type out stuff. Its slow and painfull to watch, but thats just the way he does it. He knows how to email and play solitare. And maybe how to browse the internet. So for the impatient computer geniouses out there, try to have patience. And for you older folks, a basic computer course for adults is a wise idea to make it easier on yourselves.