Transition from computer to paper charting

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Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC, Rehab.

I'm used to charting on computer and just recently took a position at a hospital that still uses paper. Is there anyone out there who had to do this and how did it go for you? Also, do you like one better than the other?

To me, it just seemed like paper bogs the nurses down more than the computer charting and they have less time to get other things done. Is this true or am I just perceiving it that way because I'm a new grad and everything is new and intimidating to me?

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.

Can I come and work with you? I really hate computer charting. I'm not new at nursing at all, and find computer charting to be quite time consuming, leaving less time for my patients.

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i'm a new grad too! i love computer charting..i can always find the word i want to use to describe something and some of the things i can't find i just jot them down on a piece of note paper on my clip board so i won't forget!

omg with paper writing..that is something i definitely need to work on. but i bought one of those Incredibly made Easy books for charting and that helped a lot!

Maybe it just depends on the person though!

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Specializes in Emergency.

my first job i started with paper charting, switched to computer (which i really liked), and then changed jobs and am back to paper. however, i work in the ER now where i would find computer charting to very difficult. i know other er's are computer, but i don't see HOW! our assessments are continuously changing and don't happen every shift or every 4 hrs....they are practically every hour. we're supposed to change though, so we'll see!

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this is bad but I have been a nurse since before computers as we know them were invented

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

We went from paper charting to computer charting and I just love it. Way less time consuming.

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I have mixed feelings.

I could fill out the ICU flowsheet in 5 minutes after assessments.

The computer seems to take longer with all the pointing and clicking we do. The only time the computer does save is the time spent looking for a flowsheet when it goes missing.

Computer charting works if there are enough computers to go around, the program is well thought out and the nurses are given adequate training.

Thank goodness for tech support.

I have to memorize 7 different passwords for all the computer functions. I have to change the passwords over time, and cannot reuse passwords.

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Specializes in Peds Hem, Onc, Med/Surg.

I think the worst is where I work. Half computers and the other half paper. Talk about double work and confusing.

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Specializes in ICU, Cardiac Cath/EPS Labs.
I'm used to charting on computer and just recently took a position at a hospital that still uses paper. Is there anyone out there who had to do this and how did it go for you? Also, do you like one better than the other?

To me, it just seemed like paper bogs the nurses down more than the computer charting and they have less time to get other things done. Is this true or am I just perceiving it that way because I'm a new grad and everything is new and intimidating to me?

I went from a computer facility to a paper facility...I hate it...the worst is the medication and MD orders on papers---a breeding ground for errors...I am seriously considering returning to a computer-based facility.

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Specializes in NICU, PACU, Pediatrics.

we recently went to computer and while I have gotten used to it I still feel that patient care is suffering

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Specializes in ER, Step-Down.

I have a friend who works in instructional technology and her whole job is making those lovely little computer training programs for EPIC (which, in her words, is slowly taking over the healthcare world) and the two or so other charting programs out there. She's informed me that ALL facilities need to at least have a plan in effect by 2012 to go totally paperless - needless to say her company has seen TONS of business in the past 2 years!

When I started school at the facility I currently work at, the only thing computerized was assessment flowsheets. Orders, notes, and MAR were all still paper. Since then, EVERYTHING has gone paperless except for consents and little things like that. >>I LOVE IT!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC, Rehab.
Can I come and work with you? I really hate computer charting. I'm not new at nursing at all, and find computer charting to be quite time consuming, leaving less time for my patients.

LOL You might want to rethink that. We're going to computers later this year, but it's going to be a while before all units have them.

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