using a tape recorder at work?

[IHeartPeds87]

Hi everyone, I was talking to a friend of mine the other day, who works part time at a residential facility for adults with DD. I used to work there until I relocated.

She was telling me that people have started doing something new to remind themselves of what to do before leaving the shift. The caregivers (unlicensed) are using tape recorders to remind themselves of what needs to be done before shift change. For example, they will say things like "do xxx paper work" or "hand off pager" and then play it back to themselves whenever doing charting.

I feel like this would have helped me when I was working there. Are there any issues/concerns with doing this? Why don't more people do this then?

Is this a good system? I am a prenursing student, and am unfortunately a bit absent minded and am just thinking of ways to make it easier.

[caliotter3]

As long as the recording doesn't leave the building, there should be no problem. It should be erased when finished, unless something needs to be carried over to the next day. Anything to be carried over should probably be noted elsewhere anyway. Seems like a good idea, but there will probably be someone who gets themselves in trouble with it one way or the other.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

I'm a paper and pencil person myself. Somehow recording and replaying seems uncomfortable to me. Not sure why. (Maybe interferes with the voices in my head?)

[GRUNGE]

As long as is does not have any patient information on it, it should not be a problem. However i find paper and pencil to work best. I just make a check list of all that needs to be done and check as i go.

[annlewis]

me too, use paper, 2 colors highliters, one for AM pass, other color for PM pass, works great! learned from my first mentor...I use my own shorthand for the text, I use red for diabetic FS/Insulins...other nurses kidd me for writing so much on my paper...but I check off everything and it all stays organized and as shift nears to end I can see what is left to do.

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

My first two years, I carried around a little touch screen. It had a drug guide and a manual of diagnostic tests downloaded on it. It also had an "alarm" feature.

I had it preprogrammed for the different shifts I worked (then, 7-3, 7a-7p or 3-11). I had it set up to alarm me for different things. It would alarm an hour before the shift ended to tell me I/O's need done, it alarmed at the most common med pass times and I programmed it for specifics of the day (PTT due to be drawn at 1200, then at 1300 to remind me to check the results etc).

It worked for me.

[annlewis]

where do you buy something like that??

[morte, LPN, LVN]

i think we are seeing a generational difference....lol

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

What a good idea! I usually put things to be done urgently, ie: insulins in red, drugs in green, and big stars next to patients who need more nursing care. Works usually, but not when I lose my cheat sheet or it gets insanely busy.

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

where do you buy something like that??

Got mine at Best Buy.