nurses and spelling

Blackheartednurse · Mar 21, 2010

I believe nurses to be some of the most well educated, bright and savvy professionals across all disciplines. My question is, why can't a large majority spell? I am talking basics here, for example their, there and they're. Is this a general failure of education or specifically science-oriented curriculum? It is embarassing.

Horrible spellers?? Arent you a lit bit of exaggerating the topic? Everyone makes grammar mistakes from time to time but it doesnt mean they suppose to be labeled as a terrible spellers, I mean dont you have more important claims to make against nurses??

Blackheartednurse · Mar 21, 2010

It's not judging. It's just wanting spelling to be correct.
Exactly how do you define "judging"?

And to add to this quote some of the best writers were bad spellers and humble,I like to learn from the famous writers.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2010

My mil has her masters in education. She has terrible grammar and can't spell to save her life. Sadly, this trait passed down to my dh. I think there are just a lot of people out there that can't spell.

Don't know, but it is appalling, scary, and aggravating that someone who is an "expert" educator can't do something so basic, like spell. Of course, teachers who haven't mastered the topics they try to teach to students are going to reproduce students who also cannot master the topics. Very frustrating, scary, and intentional by those who control education policy in America and probably in other countries, too.

You did something here that I notice quite a lot - you said "people...that" instead of "people...who". I was taught that "that" is for non-living items and "who" is for the living. Not really sure, just what I was taught.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2010

I don't see how a personal observation (i.e., that a large majority of the nurses OP has come into contact with can't spell) could be considered "rude". She didn't say "why are so many nurses idiots?" - that would have been rude. I too have noticed this phenomenon - many nurses I work with have atrocious spelling and grammar. I can't tell you how many times I have heard something along the lines of "that patient should have went to the OR", or read something such as "hemmorage". Hemorrhage is actually a tough word to spell. But I see obvious words misspelled as well, and very often.

I agree, OP was not being rude. She is just wondering how it is that people who can calculate drips and perform other lifesaving measures haven't learned to spell.

The reaction of the poster to whom you were replying is the typical modern day politically correct reaction. We should never notice errors, or certainly not remark about them. We don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Well, I agree, we should try to be courteous to all. But how will we ever correct these mistakes if we don't speak up, as nicely as possible?

I also am just rubbed RAW when I hear "should have went". I just want to climb out of my skin.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2010

WHO CARES!!!! I have come across major spelling and grammar errors on these threads. I ALWAYS knew what the writer meant, had no trouble understanding the meaning of the words. Judging someone by the way they speak is shallow, shallow, shallow. I think I spelled judging wrong. Does that mean I'm a half wit?

How is anyone "judging" the person who erred? We are just saying that it is very disturbing that misspelling, using incorrect grammar, etc. is disturbing and we are wondering why it is so frequent and what to do about it. No one is judging or criticizing. It is just such a noticeable phenomenon in our modern world. And with all the money, billions and trillions of taxpayer dollars, spent on Education, this simply should not be happening.

Sure, we know what the writer or speaker meant. No, you are not a half wit. Do you understand the concern we have?

Do you think there is ever a time to speak up, nicely, to be sure, when someone says or does something wrong? Do you let coworkers make mistakes that could harm? I know you'll draw a distinction between harmful and not harmful. But try to see that not correcting spelling errors is harmful, too, in its own way.

NICUQueen · Mar 21, 2010

I think incorrect spelling and grammar reflect an inattention to detail. Nurses are supposed to be highly educated and should know how to spell correctly and use proper grammar.

When I see common words spelled incorrectly by a nurse, I do think that they are not paying attention to detail. It does make me wonder what other details they are not picking up. I was taught in nursing school (almost in the last century!), that spelling does reflect education. I continue to believe that.

I also realize that sometimes we nurses are in a hurry and do make mistakes, but not continually. Please, nurses, try to use proper spelling and grammar!

CFitzRN, ADN · Mar 21, 2010

I agree NICUQueen - if nurses shouldn't be held to a higher standard with regard to "attention to detail", well... who the heck should? I should think attention to detail would be one of the most important characteristics for anyone in health care who has peoples' lives in their hands. It's simply a no-brainer.

What makes me wonder is, why has this issue grown so exponentially over the last 20 years or so? My kids' teachers have told me that it's a miracle when half the class turns in legible papers - and not just legible as far as being able to read the writing, but legible in terms of proper spelling, grammar and sentence structure. I have to say, this has been a bonus for my own children, who are pretty decent when it comes to this. The teachers are so thrilled when they get a paper that is written half-decently that they tend to grade higher than they probably should. What's with the dumbing-down of this nation?

Lala27poodles · Mar 21, 2010

Okay, well, I totally disagree.

Spelling has nothing to do with sheer intelligence. A person could have a number of reason they have difficulty spelling: dyslexia, they may be from a foreign country, or they might have a had a realllly poor childhood education, despite being smart.

I knew a guy in college who was a genius. Studied neuromusculoskeletal med, and wrote like a five year old. His handwriting was so poor, and so unreadable, it might as well have been misspelled.

I think people hide behind spelling and grammar mistakes because it makes THEM feel all super smart and special lol. Like "Oh look at her she made a run on sentence and didn't spell business right! OMG!!" Who cares? If someone is obviously smart, articulated, and able.....then I wouldn't judge them based on how they spell!

Now if someone is misspelling every word and not making much sense, than I'd say that person obviously an idiot. But who couldn't figure that one out?

CFitzRN, ADN · Mar 21, 2010

What, exactly, is your point? No one is judging people as idiots (except you, apparently - last paragraph). Most of us are lamenting the fact that spelling, grammar, sentence structure and the like are going down the proverbial drain, and it DOES make it more difficult to decipher someone's notes, etc. No one is arguing the fact that neuromuscular medical students aren't intelligent simply because they write with chicken scratch. (??) Physicians' poor handwriting has been an issue since time immemorial. I have a son who is a brain and writes much the way you describe the med student. Coincidentally (or not, maybe) he is planning to go to med school. I'm not sure what the answer is there. It is a wholly separate issue from what we are discussing.

One of my main points is that nurses should be expected to document using proper spelling (of course, some mistakes ARE going to happen, that's understandable), grammar, sentence structure, etc. It is basic primary school education and proper spelling and such simply should be expected. If there are extenuating circumstances (i.e., dyslexia), these people should (obviously) not be held to the same standard. This problem continues to grow, and can only lead to major problems.

Lala27poodles · Mar 21, 2010

Whaaaat???

"This problem continues to grow, and can only lead to major problems."

How is it continuing to grow? If anything, it's vastly improving over time, and with the use of spell check type technology. Let's take a look at history, for a moment.

In the 1800s, many adults died never knowing how to even spell their name. Poor famers, whatever, we all know our history...

In the 1900s, education began really improving, and became mandatory. Now we have adults and children that can spell!

Now, 2000s, education is number one concern for almost all countries, except for very underdeveloped ones. Yes, we may not be reaching every child, and yes some are slipping through the cracks, which is a shame. But overall, spelling has improved, and I believe computer technology helps and will continue to help as a teaching tool.

As for it "leading to major problems"....., are you afraid that one day no one will be able to spell? One day all the nurses will be misspelling Rx's (and not getting fired for it)? What's the big fear?

leslie :-D · Mar 21, 2010

My kids' teachers have told me that it's a miracle when half the class turns in legible papers - and not just legible as far as being able to read the writing, but legible in terms of proper spelling, grammar and sentence structure. I have to say, this has been a bonus for my own children, who are pretty decent when it comes to this. The teachers are so thrilled when they get a paper that is written half-decently that they tend to grade higher than they probably should. What's with the dumbing-down of this nation?

when my kids were in elementary school, actually, 1st/2nd grades, i used to protest the zillion gold stars and the "beautiful" comments the teacher would leave on their papers.

while i am all for building a child's self-esteem, i wanted my kids to know where they mispelled words and that writing sloppier towards the end of an assignment, was not acceptable.

to this day, i don't believe in aspiring towards the lowest common denominator, which is how i perceive many teachers to grade their students.

Spelling has nothing to do with sheer intelligence.

i totally agree that knowledge and intelligence are not synonymous.

i also know of many highly intelligent folks who are poor spellers, and many avg-intelligent folks who have a wealth of knowledge.

that said and as mentioned already, i can't help but notice the deficits of a standard 7th grade english class.

as nurses, we have enough problems with our image.

why add yet another perceived flaw, that only takes away from any remaining credibility?

leslie

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2010

Who would have believed that whether or not we use correct grammar, could generate such passion. The reponse to this thread is as contentious as any I've seen here. A few of the posts are downright mean and insulting. What does that say about us? Some of us are actually using dictionaries to check spelling so that we don't invite an attack. What does that have to do with nursing? The CHF pt does not care if I can or cannot spell @#$%^$& correctly. He or she only cares if I know how to push 40 mg of Lasix. The MD may develop a horrible first impression of me if I sound like a hick, but will value me if I take impeccable care of his pt. The nurse who works beside me may ridicule me behind my back, or to my face, if I don't use the right words. But will forever thank me if I stop her from giving 100 units of regular insulin instead of 100 units of Lantus. I guess it's a matter of what one considers important. I have always found actions speak louder that words.