This may be a silly question, but I need advice...

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My first D was in fifth grade handwriting, and from that point on, the harder I try, the worse it gets. Over the years, I've adapted, and most people with imagination and an artistic flare can make out my writing. Now that I'm writing arguably the most important information in my life into tiny areas on a 5 carbon worksheet, I'm moving on back toward why good-ole Mrs. Cook gave me the D many moons ago! I am quite convinced that I simply need the right pen to help alleviate this problem. It seems that rollerball 0.5mm is the way to go, but all the cheap ones I've tried either leave wet-ink behind for a good smear, or they skip and miss resulting in a mess. I've looked at Montblanc, as these are supposed to be ultra fine writing instruments, but they do not offer 0.5mm rollerball. Their ink goes on great and dries nearly instantly, but I'm looking for this combination in a 0.5mm extra fine vs a 0.7mm fine.

Most of the CRNAs I observe have handwriting equally as bad as mine, so I'm hoping to find a few folks out here that are ultra anal about their charting. Again, I know this may be a topic most will snicker at and pass over, but charting neat and well and accurate are very important and are highly important to me, and if I can write smaller and more neatly, I really think it will pay dividends one day if I ever find my butt sitting on the witness stand.

Any suggestions cheap to expensive are welcome. Thanks Eric.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I feel your pain - i have been striving for better penmanship for ages. I do a few things to help me along:

1. slow down and take your time writing. I find that's when my handwriting is at it's worst.

2. I don't have a specific pen that i use every day - but i always need a medium point - 1.0 mm tip pen - the fine or extra fine is not a good match.

3. Ink pens are a big no-no - mostly cause i'm left handed and tend to drag my hand through.

4. I have placed an order for "Fix it Write" by Nan Barchowsky. practice does indeed make for perfection.

If you'd like you can consider us penpals as I am actively working on my handwriting right now.

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Specializes in Geri-psych, corrections, wound care, MDS.

I love drug rep swag pens...dark ink, no skip-age, and they don't give me gnarly finger calluses (I apparently am an aggressive scribbler, lol); however, since the re-vamping of the laws, they're getting hard to come by.

As an alternative, I like Zebra F-402s...they're metal, and thus heavy enough to feel substantial/dampen any "artisticness" that may happen when I'm writing in a hurry, 0.5mm ballpoint, and have a decently soft grip. I have a bit of a "pen thing", and they're my choice for charting b/c they seem to encourage me to write neatly.

Also, the RSVP brand is decent, although they start getting skippy after a fairly short use. Good luck! :)

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Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

Have you tried G-2 in fine point? I love those pens. Usually go for the bold tipped ones, but when writing in small spaces the fine tipped work great and it is a nice bright black, not that dull gray/black color you get from some pens.

I don't really have bad hand writing (not great either) but its pretty legible, however, I am extremely picky when it comes to my pens!

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Specializes in ICU.

Did you try printing? Sometimes that better than longhand....just a thought

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Anal charter here......and no I don't own stock in hte company but maybe I should! :) Pilot Precise Vs RT extra fine, roller ball extra fine, durable and dries quick.

http://www.pilotpen.us/products/rollingball/

Write ON!

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Thanks for the reply! I swear I'm the exact opposite! The more I slow down and try, the worse it is! I play guitar too, and it is the same way. Of course I have to go slow while practicing a new song or lick, but once I know it, if I think about it while playing, I'm sure to screw it up! As long as I'm "in the groove" and not thinking, I'm fine and dandy! I tried out a 0.5mm rollerball today that is some random, cheap refill that my wife bought me and I thought would be a smearer, and it worked very well, so I think I have that part of the problem solved. I'm seriously thinking about taking some time each day and actually practicing writing neat and small...trying different things out...like practicing the guitar so that when I'm charting in a "15-minute-cases-back-to-back-all-day" situation, maybe I'll see some improvement.

Anyone else out there who has found THE pen that they can not do without, please chime in.

Thanks Again, E

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Thanks for the reply! I swear I'm the exact opposite! The more I slow down and try, the worse it is! I play guitar too, and it is the same way. Of course I have to go slow while practicing a new song or lick, but once I know it, if I think about it while playing, I'm sure to screw it up! As long as I'm "in the groove" and not thinking, I'm fine and dandy! I tried out a 0.5mm rollerball today that is some random, cheap refill that my wife bought me and I thought would be a smearer, and it worked very well, so I think I have that part of the problem solved. I'm seriously thinking about taking some time each day and actually practicing writing neat and small...trying different things out...like practicing the guitar so that when I'm charting in a "15-minute-cases-back-to-back-all-day" situation, maybe I'll see some improvement.

Anyone else out there who has found THE pen that they can not do without, please chime in.

Thanks Again, E

Ha!Too funny.........As an ED n urse I hear you. My other thought...pray for computerized charting. :lol2:

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I personally love my Zebra F301 0.7mm. It works great, and my charts are always legible.

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I have horrible writing, I print always. For me the pen doesnt really matter, as long as it dries quick and doesnt smear. I have computer charting, helps greatly. I almost never have to write now.

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthetist.

Zebra F301 fine point in black all the way. I've had the same pen for 7 years now (refilling as necessary). I love it !

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