I've been working on the surgical floor for 9 months now and I'm starting to feel like I'm getting the hang of things on my unit. I've learned a lot of tips and tricks and my time management has really improved.
One thing I'm getting really frustrated with is that some of the older nurses take FOREVER to computer chart. And from my observation a lot of it comes from them not "knowing how to use a computer" the same way younger people do. To do a routine assessment on a total knee for example probably takes me 5-7 minutes, and that's not me rushing or anything and only talking about routine stuff. The same assessment would take some of these nurses anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
It's a little frustrating at times when they need help with other things because they used all their time "charting". Or when I need help but they can't help me because "If I leave this screen I might lose it and I've spent too much time on this!".
And truth be told I think maybe sometimes they're doing it on purpose because it gives the illusion of working, but that would be MEAN and I TRY to give everybody the benefit of the doubt.
To the ones saying they're making extra notes or doing a more detailed version, all I can say is that is not the case in my situation. I know because I've been curious about this for a while so when I'm doing my montly random chart audits
I've made a point to pull certain pts that have had X or Y nurse for several days and I've combed through EVERYTHING paper and computer.
They most certainly are not taking a longer time because they're doing a more detailed job.
I know I'm venting and it is NOT fair to generalized. I was just wondering if anybody else had the same frustrations as me. Maybe I'm just stuck with some LAZY nurses that are stuck in their ways.
You're pulling particular charts and reviewing their documentation? What part of "random" do you not get? Your "random chart audits" are essentially useless if you are singling people out to audit.
OP needs to look up the definition of 'random'. She sounds mad that the "old" (read experienced) nurses aren't spending all of their time teaching her how to be a good nurse. Also I question the novice nurse who charts an assessment in 3 minutes. It takes longer to do more complete CYA documentation.
It is a default font, and we do print off some things (like admissions, which are about 10 pages IN THE SMALL FONT). And only those with "access" can change anything like that on the charting program. It's not like your computer at home.
This is a problem with the design of the system. There are better electronic charting programs and there are crappier ones. I got to see several different designs during clinicals and some are intuitive, easy to personalize and add extra information to, and some systems are confusing even for someone who has grown up with the current computer technology.
If the issue is that these nurses are truly lazy and using charting to eat time in their day, they'd be doing the same with paper charts, wouldn't they? In that case, the technology isn't the issue.
If there's a problem with their understanding with the system, or if the system isn't set up in a way that works seamlessly with the way you provide patient care on the unit, then it might make sense to either organize an inservice to refresh use of the system OR meet with your computer people and see if it's possible to customize the system or tweak things that don't work well.
I am a 53 almost...year old nurse and I am the go to person if someone has computer issues. How did I get this "job"? I was aware of people and if they had problems I would offer suggestions, short cuts, even flow sheets. OP you can become the nurse that can be the helper and advance technology in your area or become the nurse that brings down the others and causes discord on the floor. Your choice.
OMG! I'm 46 yrs old and I'm going to be graduating nursing school in april 2011
I'm going to be old and new...please don't eat me.
OP..you sound old and jaded and you have not been a nurse for very long. This is not a good sign in a profession as demanding as nursing. I can't help but wonder if you are the one who needs some help and guidance. What's realy going on with you?
Specializes in ICU, Home Health, Camp, Travel, L&D.
To do a routine assessment on a total knee for example probably takes me 5-7 minutes, and that's not me rushing or anything and only talking about routine stuff. The same assessment would take some of these nurses anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
It's a little frustrating at times when they need help with other things because they used all their time "charting". Or when I need help but they can't help me because "If I leave this screen I might lose it and I've spent too much time on this!".
And truth be told I think maybe sometimes they're doing it on purpose because it gives the illusion of working, but that would be MEAN and I TRY to give everybody the benefit of the doubt.
1. Maybe these older nurses are actually *spending time with their patients*. Novel idea, I know, but studies do show that increased time spent with pts on initial assessment decreases call light use, decreases fall risk, and improves patient satisfaction. You might see what you can learn from the old girls, instead of trying to pick apart their practice.
2. Could be there's another reason they are too busy to help you...you don't need it! After all, you already know everything.
3. No, I really don't think you do try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Otherwise, you'd try to learn a little something something from the people who should be mentoring you, realizing that you still have a long way to go before you become an expert, instead of going on the attack.
You may want to remember that the world's not flat and what goes around, comes around.
1. Maybe these older nurses are actually *spending time with their patients*. Novel idea, I know, but studies do show that increased time spent with pts on initial assessment decreases call light use, decreases fall risk, and improves patient satisfaction. You might see what you can learn from the old girls, instead of trying to pick apart their practice.
2. Could be there's another reason they are too busy to help you...you don't need it! After all, you already know everything.
3. No, I really don't think you do try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Otherwise, you'd try to learn a little something something from the people who should be mentoring you, realizing that you still have a long way to go before you become an expert, instead of going on the attack.
You may want to remember that the world's not flat and what goes around, comes around.
Right. Seems Giga knows everything and harshly judges everyone "older" than her. Yet Giga wants older nurses to teach her things and gets angry if said old nurses want to chart thoroughly.
I'd love to know more about the bonus she got for what she called "random" chart audits on the "older" nurses. Giga back peddled on that one among other things.
Wow! You have been a nurse for 9 months and you think you know it all and are so much better because you can click through assessments fast.
I am younger and good with the computers. I chose to help the older nurses or any age nurse having difficulty instead of being passive aggressive. I like showing others tips and safe shortcuts that let's them attend to other tasks. Teamwork!!
I wish people wouldn't think ALL young people think this way because I do NOT! OP shouldn't talk about "older" nurses because one day she may need that "older" nurse when the system goes down and she has to paper chart.
Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Critical Care Nursing.
The very title of this post unnerves me. I value and appreciate my "more experienced" nurses. I don't even like to use the term OLDER because time in this field usually equals wisdom of some sort. I've been a nurse for 11 years, and at the ripe OLD age of 34 (LOL, yeah, right) I can honestly say that the OP is in for a rude awakening if she feels like the nursing world owes her kudos considering her ability to CHART QUICKLY.
Never, EVER EVER complain unless you bring a legitimate solution to the problem to the boards with you. Just saying. Like my mama said..."baby, one day, you gonna get old too...", and the technology YOU identify with will be dated also. Then you're gonna be the one stuck outside the learning curve. Karma is a mother-shut-yo-mouth.....
Oh no. Not yet another thread bashing "older" nurses.
I just wish these immature posters would do us all a favor and hurry up and grow up already.
I agree. Lame topic and lame thought. I know some "older" nurses who can computer chart pretty fast. Talk about broad generalizations. So the OP thinks that all older nurses are slow at charting? Very immature and telling.
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Like my mama said..."baby, one day, you gonna get old too...", and the technology YOU identify with will be dated also. Then you're gonna be the one stuck outside the learning curve. Karma is a mother-shut-yo-mouth.....
NJMike
35 Posts
Originally Posted by Giga
OP needs to look up the definition of 'random'. She sounds mad that the "old" (read experienced) nurses aren't spending all of their time teaching her how to be a good nurse. Also I question the novice nurse who charts an assessment in 3 minutes. It takes longer to do more complete CYA documentation.