Nurses' handwriting

[rph3664]

Yesterday, I received a phone order from one of the floor nurses that was totally illegible. I sent a copy of the order back to the floor with a note attached explaining that I could not read it, and received a note back saying what the order was, and that she didn't think she needed to rewrite it because we can decipher physicians' handwriting.

:angryfire

This was copied and given to our manager. I don't know what is going to happen to that nurse.

:icon_roll

[kellykelly]

I guess she'd be re-writing it when she didn't get the med, wouldn't she?

[Wishinonastar, BSN]

We have had staff who had to print everything except for their names because their writing was too bad. I used to have beautiful penmanship, but I have found that years of documentation have resulted in my tendency to hurry, and my writing has deteriorated over time. It is not uncommon for nurses to have bad writing, but it is a nursing documentation standard that writing be legible. The nurse may be told to start printing everything and just sign her name.

You had every right to call it to someone's attention, but I doubt she did it on purpose. I have to say I agree with her that I have seen Dr. writings that are far worse than any nurse scribbles that I have seen. That is no excuse, but I agree with her on that point.

[jjensen]

We have all computers in our hospital for this reason... There is NO chart; everything is on computers and I could not be happier...

[Almeida09]

That's why I prefer computer than handwriting. On the computer everybody can understand the message.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

i confess, my handwriting is deplorable. I try to write neatly if i know someone else has to read it, though

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

that's why i prefer computer than handwriting. on the computer everybody can understand the message.

i beg to differer. between errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, vocabulary and plain old typing, some peoples' messages are just as impossible to understand on the computer as they are in writing or even in person!

[Thankful RN,BSN]

The nurse informed you of what the order was. So, why did you feel the need to forward that to the manager? What exactly do you want to happen to her? You sound like a trouble maker. jmo

[soulofme]

My handwriting isn't the greatest...I hurry too much...they call me Dr at work:smokin:

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

My handwriting is so bad I've had a doctor complain about it! :)

I make sure I print any orders so that they can be read. My printing is OK.

I love computer charting because no one has to read my writing! (hey- I have trouble with it sometimes, so I know its bad!)

[truern]

The nurse informed you of what the order was. So, why did you feel the need to forward that to the manager? What exactly do you want to happen to her? You sound like a trouble maker. jmo

Maybe her attitude?!?

There's a great need for medication orders to be legible and understood...if she can't understand that she needed to be reported..jMo.

[lpnflorida]

I am wondering why when the said nurse explained to you what the order stated that you did not simply write a clarification of the above order. Sometimes we have to do that with the doctors.

I would not have given it to my manager. Just my own opinion. I try and stay our of power struggles.