Do nurses use their wristwatch in real life nursing?

Do-over, ASN, RN · Jan 30, 2012

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.

Curious about how one "eyeballs" a pulse.

Sorry, couldn't resist. And, personally, I like to know, and chart, the actual number.

brillohead, ADN, RN · Jan 30, 2012

I prefer a fob watch pinned to my chest over a wristwatch (handwashing / infection), but fortunately all the rooms I've encountered so far have visible wall clocks -- neither a fob watch nor a wristwatch will be visible through an isolation gown...

chevyv, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2012

Not only do I use mine for P and Resps and to tell me the time, I also bought one that has military time. We have paper charting and although I know most of my times, I often look at it towards the end of the shift. 2100-2330 is when I get sloppy and really got tired of thinking 2000 is 8pm so 2100 is ......

BluegrassRN · Jan 30, 2012

I don't even have a watch, haven't in years. Each room in my facility has a clock, easily visible from all angles. Plus it seems like an infection control issue. I'll bet many of those watches culture out a lot of disgusting bugs.

Vinniesguy · Jan 30, 2012

I do wear my wristwatch to work though I probably shouldn't - I'm seriously considering getting a fob watch. My co-worker accidentally scratched a patient with his metal wristwatch when assisting her out of bed which is a bit of a concern. It wouldn't surprise me if this one incident brings about a ban on metal wristwatches in the hospital where I work anyway.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jan 30, 2012

Even though there are clocks in the room, I feel lost if I forget my watch. I use it every day to count respirations or pulse/apical pulse rate. I never use it to calculate gtt/min. We have pumps for everything.

SwedishOmorfia · Jan 30, 2012

Over here we are not allowed anything (shirt sleeves, wrist watches, bracelets, rings etc) beneath the elbow in any kind of patient work. It's the same rule in every hospital, nursing home, dentist's office etc.

For clocking pulse or respiratory rate we have pulse clocks/timers that can be easily disinfected. Drip rate when not using a pump is not a problem, you'll get a hang of it after a short while. There are clocks on every room and in the corridors so I have not thought of it as a problem to note the time for charting.

SwedishOmorfia · Jan 30, 2012

A question, how do you disinfect your hands and arms when you have a watch strapped to your wrist?

OCNRN63, RN · Jan 31, 2012

No, but I do use my wrist sundial.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Jan 31, 2012

I'm crazy old school, I use it to know what time it is.

Creamsoda, ASN, RN · Jan 31, 2012

Everyday, I don't go to work without it. (HR, lab draws, charting), I need the digital set to 24hr because I need every brain cell to do my job and doing the math to switch from 12hr to 24hr would put me over the edge.
I do not show up to my shift without:
Name Badge
My cheap 24hr digital timex watch -cheap enough that if it got involved in a code brown, I could trash it without a second thought.
My Littmann
At least 4 inkpens- I lose one or two a shift.
Shears
Iphone with my drug guide on it
also bring a:
Lightpen, kelly clamp, but if I left them at home, I could do without, lift one from someone else.
When I show up, I fill my pockets with Alcohol pads, saline flushes, 4x4s, 1 10cc syringe (I was in a code when no one had a syringe to inflate the cuff after intubation luckily I had one in my pocket)and post it notes.

Kind of off topic, but shouldnt they have tested the balloon first before they intubated.

Lynx25, LPN · Jan 31, 2012

A question, how do you disinfect your hands and arms when you have a watch strapped to your wrist?

I take it off and wash it... it even tolerates Lysol wipe.