Do nurses use their wristwatch in real life nursing?

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In class so far, we have used a watch for vitals and IV drip per minute counting.

Do real life nurses use their watches alot for stuff like that?

Thanks.

Specializes in Hospice.

I use a watch daily, but I don't like wearing one on my wrist. Instead I have a pendant watch on my lanyard.

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Specializes in CAPA RN, ED RN.

It is important to me to know how fast a pt is breathing when I have given them a lot of sedatives or narcotics. Monitors are notoriously wrong with this number and I can't tell you how many times I have needed a watch to check this.

I went without a wristwatch for a couple of years as a nurse. We have wall clocks so it was not a big deal other than doing a few contortions to see the clock from time to time. However I go places other than my department in my care and I occasionally had to bother a few people for a watch with a second hand.

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

I don't understand not wearing a watch, nor do I understand this buying many cheap watches theory. My parents gave me a 18K gold and diamond Cartier Tank watch for my 18th birthday. I have not taken off since that day, except to have it cleaned or serviced. I have worn it every single day for almost 30 years, and fully expect to wear it another 40 years before passing it down to one of my children or grandchildren, any of whom may then wear it indefinitely as well. It is worth more today than my parents paid for it, thanks to the ever escalating price of gold, lol.

You certainly don't have to buy an heirloom watch, but quality pays for itself people. It is illogical to repeatedly purchase throw away items. You may as well flush money down the toilet. Just something to consider before your next trip to WalMart.

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Specializes in LTC.

I feel naked if I don't have my watch on.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

No jewelry allowed (no watches, rings, earrings, necklaces, anything) whether you're the person scrubbed in or the circulating nurse, anesthesia provider, or extra set of hands in a busy room. However, each OR has an atomic clock with a second hand, should we ever need them. For codes, the person documenting uses a clip board with a built in timer to time minutes between doses. I have to agree with those who say watches/other jewelry can harbor bacteria and other nasty things. You take your watch off to wash your hands? Your watch isn't a barrier to germs, and is probably covered in them, and it's not getting cleaned in between patients. The same with rings. Unless you take them off and scrub them between patients, how do you know that all those nooks and crannies aren't harboring something really nasty?

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I use mine to see what time it is on a regular basis, use it for manual pulses every once in a great while.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

I have three. I might leave one at home or forget to put on the spare in my car but I always have the one in my locker... unless I wear it home. ;)

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Specializes in Pediatric Hem/Onc.

I have 4 watches in different colors because it made me happy lol I don't spend a lot on my non work watches either. That way, when I lose them - and I always do - it's no sweat off my back. I think it's just as illogical to wear something that expensive to work in a hospital....but hey, it makes you happy so go for it! And another angle - why would I wear something expensive so one of my kids can puke/poop/drool on it? :D For that reason, I don't carry my Coach bags to work either.

I've thought about the pendent watches, but once I go into an iso room I wouldn't be able to see it. There are some really pretty ones.

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I use my watch daily. We do not have clocks with second hands in every room and IME the respiratory monitors (for those patients who happen to be on one) aren't always accurate. I misplaced my watch and had to use the timer on my phone (only way my phone shows seconds) and it was a pain in the butt to work with when I can just look at my wrist to time respirations or HR.

I got a $50 watch to start nursing school and it's still chugging along. I have a cheap spare watch that I keep in my locker along with my "emergency" stethoscope. That way if I am really stupid one day and forget to bring my stethoscope and watch, I have the backup set ready and waiting for me at work.

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Specializes in CICU.

I've got to know - How do you all manage to count and watch the numbers increase on a digital watch? I would constantly lose count and have to start over... Probably take me half an hour to get a resp rate...

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Specializes in LTC.
I've got to know - How do you all manage to count and watch the numbers increase on a digital watch? I would constantly lose count and have to start over... Probably take me half an hour to get a resp rate...

Mine shows the seconds, the date, and the day of the month... AND it's waterproof up to so many feet, so I just wash it when I wash my hands.

It's a Baby-G watch- a gift from my sister-in-law. I freaking love that thing.

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I haven't used a watch or worn one in YEARS.

It is a useful tool in the beginning, but soon you just learn how to eyeball EVERYTHING.

That is all we have time to do. I can't imagine taking the time to count respirations, pulse,

drips... etc...

Soon.. everything will be too fast or too slow.. that is all you will need to know.

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