Is English required to be an RN?

Nurses Safety

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I have noticed from day one in here that many RNs use some of the poorest English and grammar I have ever seen. I am sure that we were required to take English as a requirement to graduate from nursing school. Did we leave it in the classroom, or is it that it was never really learned? I see from the charts I read at work that the case is the same in actual practice. I see so much chatroomease that it makes me sick to read some of the postings in here. Are we professionals that want to sound the part or simply chatroom fools? I for one at least try to sound and act professional. As RNs we have a reputation to be knowledgable and professional. Where are you?

For better or for worse these things reflect on your abilities.

I am one of those picky, anal people when it comes to grammar and spelling, ESPECIALLY on charting and paperwork. It just drives me bonkers to read some of the charting at work. How hard is it to spell Haldol (when it is printed right on the bottle)? Hello? OTOH, I can understand less than perfect English on this BB, as many of us are think better than we type. (Or, in my case, reading this after a long night shift and on my way to bed).

Earlier in my caregiving career, I cared for a retired professor of nursing who was temporarily sidelined with a work-related shoulder injury. I was her private caregiver at home.(Anybody care to volunteer for THAT CNA assignment) :chuckle I was contemplating going back to school at the time and she was doing her best to encourage me. She was sharing her nursing experiences with me and offered this little gem regarding charting:

"I always insisted the nurses use the Queens' english in charting. In our litigious society, one never knows who may eventually be reading the charting. A nurses' clinical care may be top-notch, but if her charting is sloppy or incomplete, it will be perceived as sloppy unprofessional care of the patient." Even working as a student caring for terminaly ill patients at home, I still try to keep this in mind.

Laura

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

No flames here, Ned, because I happen to agree.

As well as with Jailhouse RN's original intentions... charting and proper English and spelling.... on the job.

But "off duty" I accept ppl and their use (or misuse) of the English language just as I accept them... it is not an issue to me then. It might sting my ear as an out of tune piano key might, but there are far more pressing issues to enjoy. :)

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Ned, I guess I can agree that if even on a bb where I'm giving profressional advice and don't use proper spelling and grammar then it's hard to take my advice seriously. Guess that's what someone meant when they pm'd me that most of my posts were crap and that I give poor advice.

Silly me, I have the nerve to think I can get a BSN. :imbar

Ned, I guess I can agree that if even on a bb where I'm giving profressional advice and don't use proper spelling and grammar then it's hard to take my advice seriously. Guess that's what someone meant when they pm'd me that most of my posts were crap and that I give poor advice.

Silly me, I have the nerve to think I can get a BSN. :imbar

:imbar :imbar :imbar

tweety, i don't know if you're being dry or serious....but if someone did pm you with that message, to me it's obvious that the writer has the problem and not you. you best not be serious.

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Silly me, I have the nerve to think I can get a BSN. :imbar

And you have the brass to GET one, too !!! Whoooooooot !!! :D

What was that game? Scissors, rock, and paper? :chuckle

Brass is best. Brass RULES.

I knew this would happen. Let me clarify my position a bit. Think of it this way - right or wrong, it's more difficult for a person to be taken seriously if they don't look the part and sound the part. I know you take care to make a good first impression in person by coming to work ready for action, dressed appropriately, and with all the right tools. Why is language any different? Right or wrong two people who are identical in every respect will be received differently based on how they speak.

So, there it is. Like it or not that's the way the world works. And, unfortunately, sometimes people who DON'T know what they're talking about are believed over those who do just by the way the "come across" to everyone else.

And I guess there are two different areas of concern. Verbal: Would you say "There's (THERE IS) twenty apples" or "There're (there ARE) twenty apples?"

Written: The problem of their, there, they're.

And, Tweety, I've read many many of your posts and can't think of anyone I'd rather have for a nurse. Didn't mean to slam you.

OK, that's it from me!

Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

"i have noticed from day one in here that many rns use some of the poorest english and grammar i have ever seen" admittedly the rest of your post does mention that you are seeing this at your workplace,also.....i have only seen medically acceptable abbreviations on our charts-maybe my co-workers are better educated then yours?

"I for one at least try to sound and act professional. As RNs we have a reputation to be knowledgable and professional. Where are you?"

Please, do us all a favor and get over yourself.!! I hope you're not as judgemental with your patients. :p

Specializes in Home Health Care.

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p.s. I recieved an A in eng and my proffessor recommended me to the department for advanced classes (you need a professors recommendation).

:rotfl: I had an outburst of laughter when I read the above sentence, what a hoot! :chuckle

Ned, I guess I can agree that if even on a bb where I'm giving profressional advice and don't use proper spelling and grammar then it's hard to take my advice seriously. Guess that's what someone meant when they pm'd me that most of my posts were crap and that I give poor advice.

Silly me, I have the nerve to think I can get a BSN. :imbar

Well that's rather unfortunate. Is that really a quote from the person who pm'd you? If it's a quote, that is certainly is a very cruel, uncaring thing to say to another person.

"I see so much chatroomease that it makes me sick to read some of the postings in here. " Um yeah you did say something about the postings....hmmm I hate to be rude but did you forget?

"I see so much chatroomease that it makes me sick to read some of the postings in here. " Um yeah you did say something about the postings....hmmm I hate to be rude but did you forget?

I don't know, don't you think adding a LOL or even a RFL...(whatever that other one is) helps others to understand the post is meant as humor?

Some of the other stuff I don't even know what it is! Wish somebody would tell me some of them. I don't go to chat rooms and even when I play a game (only play one game, addiction) I don't chat much.

Sometimes, I don't even know what the poster is saying. :confused:

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