Crap! Am I a crusty old bat nurse?? Carrying pens...

[klone]

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?

[klone, MSN, RN]

I always have two pens, Pilot G-2 #7's, in my ink stained scrub shirt pocket that are placed there, along with my badge, door and swipe keys, before I get out of my vehicle!

You're my PEN TWIN!! The Pilot G-2 .7 is my FAVORITE!! 0.5 is too thin, and 1.0 is too thick. I make them order me a box special.

[AceOfHearts<3]

You're my PEN TWIN!! The Pilot G-2 .7 is my FAVORITE!! 0.5 is too thin, and 1.0 is too thick. I make them order me a box special.

I love the Pilot G-2, but I use the 0.5. I need a fine point for the tiny boxes that I have to write in for our procedural flowsheets sometimes. I used to keep the .5s just for that, but now I just use them for everything since it's easier. I'm a millennial (on the older end of the range) and I always have at least 1-2 pens in my pocket and a sharpie or two on me at all times.

[Emergent, RN]

My goal for a shift is to start out with 2 pens and end up with at least 3.

Unattended pen at nurses station=mine.

[Dean Uguan]

You're my PEN TWIN!! The Pilot G-2 .7 is my FAVORITE!! 0.5 is too thin, and 1.0 is too thick. I make them order me a box special.

Triplets! I buy them in Amazon bulk.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

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

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

It's not a millennial thing. I'm a millennial. I always have a pen on me, at work or otherwise. I'm pretty sure this is a learned nurse behavior, not an age thing.

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?

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

I always have at least 4 - 6 pens on my person at all times.

I make notes on my report sheets, write notes for docs about things I need. To date nitro/fentanyl patches.

Can't survive without them!

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

I'm a millennial (on the older end of the range) and I always have at least 1-2 pens in my pocket and a sharpie or two on me at all times.

I now regret my comment! Cheers to the pen-carrying millenials!! Maybe my kid is the exception....

[Farawyn]

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

*curtsies to the Queen*

What color are the memberes?

*grabs a pen from your pocket to take notes*

[JKL33]

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

I'll never forget being on orientation and my first time giving shift report - - to a truly fantastic RN with a 4-color clicker pen. It was a frightening experience, and yet...I felt pretty proud of myself because the information I conveyed garnered lots of VICs (Very Important Clicks)!

Guess who showed up with her own clicker pen the next day.

P.S. This wasn't exactly eons ago...

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

UniBall Signo Gel Pen, 0.38, in both black and red. I order the black by the crate (I only order the red a box at a time) from Amazon and have at least two dozen in my locker and squirreled about in various hiding spots.

Everything is on computer nowadays, and yet I still burn through a pen every 1-2 weeks.

[sevensonnets]

Before washing hands 478 times a day became a thing, I used the palm of my hand and sometimes the back of my hand like a memo board. Can't do that anymore. A lot of vital info goes down the drain that way. The sacred parchment is the way to go. And I have been known to do a pen shakedown when any of mine go missing. Miss with my pen and I'll hurt you.