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?

[wondern, ASN]

That is a great organization idea meanmaryjean. I love the idea of the colors it's just all that clicking on the tiny little buttons and the big pen. That blue and white pen is rather large. Whew, I do admire y'alls' perseverance; that'd be a bit much for me to deal with all day long.

My paper brain had different squares for different stuff, meds, labs, tests, NPO status, etc.

I always liked the nice free pens from drug reps the very best. When they sprout legs and walk off it's not quite as sad/bad.

[CelticGoddess, BSN, RN]

I always have a member nearby.

I was sort of hoping this was some sort of an inside joke and you would explain it to us later! You made my day though!

[Farawyn]

I was sort of hoping this was some sort of an inside joke and you would explain it to us later! You made my day though!

I forgot that sometimes a pen is just a pen.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I love pens. My husband even has a pen collection. When we did paper charting, I used to try to find a pen with a very fine point and non-smearing black ink. Now that computer charting has taken over, I can write my notes on my brain sheet in any color. These days it is baby blue and hot pink.

I don't think I could make it through the shift without a pen.

[CloverPark, RN]

Any nurse must ALWAYS carry a pen! And it also wouldn't hurt to have a member nearby as well....

Seriously though, I was once told that a pen is part of our uniform as a nurse.

[vanilla bean]

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 have a two color system - black for overall report and whatever color pen has come out of the Pilot multicolor Costco pack for striking off completed tasks and adding new info from my shift. Now I'm experiencing some feelings of inadequacy and system envy.

[vanilla bean]

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.

My Costco has/had jumbo multi packs of the Pilot G-2 .7 but I just moved. Have I been living in pen Nirvana and didn't even know it? Don't they *all* have them?!

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I have a black pen for all new orders/orders that I have to be aware of for my shift, purple is for what I get in report, a dry erase marker to update the boards in the patient rooms, and of course at least one fine point sharpie for everything else.

[OldDude]

I forgot that sometimes a pen is just a pen.

Pen envy is real.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

This is my pet peeve!

[SpidersWeb, BSN]

I don't really need pens because we use EMRs.

Sometimes I'll write a to do list or vitals on a Post-It note or sign narcotics but other than that everything is electronic.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I don't really need pens because we use EMRs.

Full circle, back to my OP!

All the other nurses in this thread beg to differ!