Maybe I'm alone in my thinking (it sure seems that way sometimes), but I find the use of text speak/SMS language utterly annoying and unprofessional. It seems as though its use is becoming more and more prevalent and in situations that are totally inappropriate, in my opinion.
I may just be old-school (although I am relatively young), but using slang is just a no-no at work! Now, I understand there is a place for abbreviations in the healthcare field, but some things I have seen other nurses enter in a pt's chart (a LEGAL document, mind you) left me just shaking my head.
Our unit manager will sometimes text me on my days off if they are short: can u come in, we r short at 6. Seriously, you are the manager! Shouldn't you try to be professional?!?
Maybe I'm just overreacting :). I just tend to see it as the person makes themself look unintelligent when they communicate this way. I get it....it's faster, it's become acceptable and it's trendy, but it's just not for me.
Am I alone or does anyone agree/understand? Would love to hear what you all think!
I guess I don't see the big deal with your manager not typing out all the words in her text to you. I don't really see how hard it is to type out "you" and "are," but this is an informal communication, and, as I said, I don't think it is a big deal.
Using "text speak" in charts, however, is a big deal. If it is an approved abbreviation, go for it. If a given word does not have an approved abbreviation, they it has to be written out. I would think that if a auditor or lawyer saw a chart filled with "text speak" abbreviations, that would send out red flags. I can't even imagine having that document presented in court.
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
In regards to texting, it doesn't bother me, but for texts I send, I will type everything out unless there is a character limit.
About 6 months ago I created a topic entitled "Cringe worthy thank you note.". Note was something like: "hi chicagorn this is jim and i wanted u to know i am interested in the job." This was from a recent college graduate. I was not impressed, and he did not get the job.
Progress notes should be coherent and logical statements. The use of shortcuts and unapproved abbreviations need to be avoided, as the documentation may be reviewed by an external entity or in a court of law. Nonstandard phrases and words may be an embarrassment & undermine credibility.
My opinion is that it depends on the specific circumstances. Language is an evolving tool and always has been. Words that were commonly used 100 years ago are rare today -- and new words are "in the dictionary" and considered totally proper that our ancestors never used. That evolution is a natural process.
So I am fine with a little textspeak in informal communication between co-workers. It doesn't suggest a lack of education or respect to me: it suggests being current in the latest developments in efficient communication. However, a medical record is an important legal document and as such, it is not a proper place for slang / short cuts, etc. The same is true for job applications, thank-you notes, official reports, memos, etc.
I also feel differently about poor grammar, punctuation, improper usage, etc. THOSE are usually the results of either carelessness or a lack of education. Those types of things bother me more and make us look bad -- careless, disrespectful, and/or uneducated.
I think professionally you are completely right. It's not a sound way of communicating. Something could be misconstrued, especially if there is communication between a younger nurse and a more experienced, older nurse. There could be seriously complication is something is charted in slang. Now, in your own time out side of a professional environment, use all the text slang you want! Just leave it out of the professional environment. I can't believe they'd actually let people use text slang without reprimand...
My opinion is that it depends on the specific circumstances. Language is an evolving tool and always has been. Words that were commonly used 100 years ago are rare today -- and new words are "in the dictionary" and considered totally proper that our ancestors never used. That evolution is a natural process.
So I am fine with a little textspeak in informal communication between co-workers. It doesn't suggest a lack of education or respect to me: it suggests being current in the latest developments in efficient communication. However, a medical record is an important legal document and as such, it is not a proper place for slang / short cuts, etc. The same is true for job applications, thank-you notes, official reports, memos, etc.
I also feel differently about poor grammar, punctuation, improper usage, etc. THOSE are usually the results of either carelessness or a lack of education. Those types of things bother me more and make us look bad -- careless, disrespectful, and/or uneducated.
Good point about language evolution! In my experience anyway, I've noticed that the attention to grammar and punctuation seem to be overlooked when text-speaking. I rarely see a text-speak type sentence that is grammatically correct in those regards.
About 6 months ago I created a topic entitled "Cringe worthy thank you note.". Note was something like: "hi chicagorn this is jim and i wanted u to know i am interested in the job." This was from a recent college graduate. I was not impressed, and he did not get the job.
Exactly!! I'm guessing most hiring personnel would agree with you. An applicant who takes the time to use proper language, etc. would have an edge over someone who represents themselves poorly via their written communication to a prospective employer.
I completely agree with you! I just automatically see the written communication as a level of education, even though I've seen quite the experienced person text "ur on ur way" (no capitals, no punctuation). I don't mean to, and I have to consciously remind myself that it's considered 'acceptable', but I just can't help it.
It's the same for (please don't kill me for this) here on allnurses. I can't help but cringe when I see-- usually a pre-nursing student-- have a post like, "hi there im applying for nursing school in fall and i wanted to know if i have x grades will it be hard to get it ? im just so excited lol" I just have to keep moving, and accept that I'm what others would consider the 'grammar police'.
Haha!!! Love the "don't kill me" comment, but I was thinking the exact same thing! I'm reasoning that this site requests that type of language not be used is because we are all PROFESSIONALS!! Not to mention it can be difficult to read at times.
Does anyone other then me regard this as judgmental? After having it drilled into us repeatedly about being tolerant of patients cultural and other differing values--why is that courtesy not applicable to coworkers? I agree txt terminology does often convey a negative impression, however I would never presume to correct someone else's communication style.
I absolutely hate textspeak! My family knows it and with the exception of one fourteen-year-old relative, no one uses textspeak when they email or text me. The fourteen-year-old is my cousin's daughter. Her dad is going through a contentious divorce and I'm the only family member she's "speaking" to at the moment. I'm so glad she's keeping in touch with me that I don't care how she does it.
Grammar and usage is vital and when my husband tries to convince some of his students that certain grammar and spelling rules still apply, they just laugh. They're in for a rude awakening after graduation.
It isn't the evolution of new words that bothers me so much, but misspellings, incorrect verb tenses, to instead of too or two, your for
you're, it's when the writer means its. Pluralizing almost every word that ends in s drives me crazy!
Whether it's allnurses, a letter to the editor, or especially charting, proper grammar, usage, punctuation, spelling, etc. is vital. One of my relatives has two-year-old twins, a four-year-old, and will deliver another in about three weeks. She is still teaching with plans to finish the school year. I'm so glad she has time for a paragraph or two in the midst of total chaos, that I'm just glad to hear from her at all. I know her notes will go back to being grammatically correct some day.
I just automatically see the written communication as a level of education, even though I've seen quite the experienced person text "ur on ur way" (no capitals, no punctuation). I don't mean to, and I have to consciously remind myself that it's considered 'acceptable', but I just can't help it.
I just have to keep moving, and accept that I'm what others would consider the 'grammar police'.
psu_213, BSN, RN
3,878 Posts
I guess I don't see the big deal with your manager not typing out all the words in her text to you. I don't really see how hard it is to type out "you" and "are," but this is an informal communication, and, as I said, I don't think it is a big deal.
Using "text speak" in charts, however, is a big deal. If it is an approved abbreviation, go for it. If a given word does not have an approved abbreviation, they it has to be written out. I would think that if a auditor or lawyer saw a chart filled with "text speak" abbreviations, that would send out red flags. I can't even imagine having that document presented in court.