Should spelling count?

[betc]

the electronic notes at my facility are full of words misspelled words. The embarrasing thing for me is these are degree nurses, BSN and MSN.

Does this effect the image of nursing as a profession?

looking for comments,opinions and/or references.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

Spelling and good grammar ALWAYS counts!

Actually, I believe the proper grammatical way to say that is "Spelling and good grammar ALWAYS count".

Perhaps RN_writer could chime in on which is correct.

[matilda123]

The occasional teh for the or other mistyping errors happen, and are easy to catch when we take the time to read over what was typed. But, I think that anyone working or taking courses at college levels should be able to spell and write correctly. My pet peeves are errors in their/there, our/hour, and those who have no idea about tenses. A fellow English 112 student was fuming over the D the Professor gave her on an essay. She asked me to read it and tell her what I thought. The first sentence read: My favorite childhood vacation was when my parents take us to the beech, The sunny skies and steemey sand always bring my memory back to happy thinking of summers ago. :grn:

[MisterSimba, BSN]

i couldn't judge an entire profession based on an individual's errors.

and it is certainly not limited to nursing.

i've encountered teachers who misspelled, as well as college professors.

but still, i cringe.:)

leslie

It's definitely not limited to nursing! Just today I got a magazine in the mail from the university I graduated from. One of the professors' names is spelled wrong, and another article mentions a "Noble Prize" recipient's visit to campus.... Oops.....

[patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP]

yes spelling should count.

We went to college after all

We took English

We have mininum standards after all.

An occoinal word now and again is ok. I cant wait to go to the Catalina Wine Mixer.

[stellina615]

I will agree that the occasional spelling or grammatical mistake can't be avoided, but I make a practice of reading over my progress notes after I write them in a chart so that I can catch my own mistakes before anyone else does. I read a note in a chart once that diagnosed the patient with "hypercalemia," which obviously left me confused. I looked at the labs and saw that the K+ was elevated and the Ca++ was fine, and so I realized the dx was hyperkalemia. Yikes! Previous posters have mentioned how spelling and pronunciation errors with meds can result in possibly scary outcomes, and so I always double check the generic and trade names when transcribing MD orders. Interestingly enough, though, I notice that the med-seeking patients on my unit never fail to correct me if I slip and say Zantac instead of Xanax!

[jode]

Actually, I believe the proper grammatical way to say that is "Spelling and good grammar ALWAYS count".

Perhaps RN_writer could chime in on which is correct.

:) The old you say tomatoe I'll say tomato...

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

I think that's Dan Quayle who says tomatoe

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Actually, I believe the proper grammatical way to say that is "Spelling and good grammar ALWAYS count".

Perhaps RN_writer could chime in on which is correct.

This is correct, because the part of the sentence that is being referred to as "counting" is plural, so "count" should be plural as well.

[queenjean]

Should spelling count?

Nah, speling shud never cownt. Its the thoht that cownts.

[leslie :-D]

Should spelling count?

Nah, speling shud never cownt. Its the thoht that cownts.

heh.

truly, it bewilders me as to why basic, elemental spelling shouldn't matter.

if our perception as a mediocre or inadequate society doesn't bother anyone, then to heck with fighting for better education for our children.

why not just remain substandard?

really.

to heck with it all.

it just shouldn't count....

any of it.

leslie

[rn/writer, RN]

Originally Posted by jode

Spelling and good grammar ALWAYS counts!

Actually, I believe the proper grammatical way to say that is "Spelling and good grammar ALWAYS count".

Perhaps RN_writer could chime in on which is correct.

Spelling and good grammar (two items = plural subject) always count (plural verb).

Attention (singular subject) paid to spelling and good grammar always counts (singular verb).

Having written and edited professionally for many years, I value well-crafted sentences and correct usage. But even with so much experience, I have to work at maintaining good standards.

The number one recommendation I would make to anyone who wants to look good on paper (or screen) is proofreading. So many times, people would catch their own mistakes if they just reread what they wrote.

Look up words when you aren't sure of the spelling. You can Google lists of spelling demons--those nasty little buggers that bedevil even the most well-educated folks--and keep it handy. I correct other people's mistakes when I edit, and believe me, I look up words all the time. I also have some great (often humorous) websites on grammar and usage. And I have an entire bookshelf of wonderful reference tools that keep my skills sharp. (Among them, Eats, Shoots and Leaves; Lapsing Into a Comma; Walking on Alligators--as you might guess, I like my instruction with a large dose of hilarity)

The better you are at using the written word, the better your chances of coming off as an intelligent, articulate person. Of course, you have to have decent content to go with the correct form, but if you can express yourself well, that's half the battle.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

Thank you RN/Writer, I knew you'd have the answer! :)