Vitals during the night shift

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I start my ADN program September 3rd. I currently work as a PCT on an Infant and Children's unit. While I have been excellent at getting my vitals at night respirations become an issue sometimes. I hate putting the light on and I can't stand to keep checking the clock while straining my eyes in the dark. Anyone have anything that beeps in intervals of 15? Back in the day our old thermometers used to do that, but the new ones don't. Our vitals get done 8p, 12a, and 4a during my shift. I don't have a digital watch, but I was thinking that may be my only option. I just hate wearing watches because of all the hand washing. So if anyone has any other products they may have I would greatly appreciate any product recommendations.

Specializes in hospice.

A watch was required during my CNA class as well.

And I never wear one anymore, for infection control and handwashing reasons. I can't effectively wash my wrist with a big ol' face and band in my way, and I can't make sure the crevices in the watch band or between the band and face are completely clean and then dry every time.

I may take an LPN course next year. If they require a watch, I will wear one for the duration of the program, and then stop wearing it again. Seems basic common sense about infection control would have killed off the wrist watch in health care long ago, but from this thread it seems not.

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Specializes in Oncology, Critical Care.
A watch was required during my CNA class as well.

And I never wear one anymore, for infection control and handwashing reasons. I can't effectively wash my wrist with a big ol' face and band in my way, and I can't make sure the crevices in the watch band or between the band and face are completely clean and then dry every time.

I may take an LPN course next year. If they require a watch, I will wear one for the duration of the program, and then stop wearing it again. Seems basic common sense about infection control would have killed off the wrist watch in health care long ago, but from this thread it seems not.

Well you want to know an infection control issue, wearing scrubs into the hospital and out of it. Scrubs were designed to be changed into and out of while still in the hospital, but sadly we see people wearing them everywhere. Wrist watches are the least of an infection control issue as contaminated scrubs.

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

I clip a lighted small digital watch to my stethoscope

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Specializes in Educator.

Maybe I am old school, but we all wore nurses watches specially made for the task. They pinned to our uniforms, glowed in the dark and were worn at chest level to keep hands free. Guess they went the way of the bedpan warmer...

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Clocks on the wall? Maybe if the room actually has one, and IF it actually runs!

Oh, and the clocks that have the dark face (not white background).

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I prefer to wear a watch with a stretch band (I know, my son tells me I look like an old lady) or a slap watch which has few nooks and crannies for fomites. The slap watch is really nurse-friendly. I can easily and quickly move it to my upper arm if I am going to be up-to-my-elbows in something. The watch part is removable if you want to wash the band later.

Really like the idea about the clippy light. Currently using a penlight or my mini-mag that I prop somewhere when needed if I don't have extra hands available.

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Could you not just wear a nurse's fob watch with a glow in the dark face? Like any of these

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Specializes in ICU.

I used to have a stethoscope watch before I broke it. It worked nicely. It clips onto your stethoscope. Otherwise, position your wrist watch higher up on your forearm (for hygiene purposes) and get one that lights up.

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I had a small flash light and a glow in the dark fob watch.. watches are a big infection control no no where I worked.

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Maybe I am old school, but we all wore nurses watches specially made for the task. They pinned to our uniforms, glowed in the dark and were worn at chest level to keep hands free. Guess they went the way of the bedpan warmer...

Nah, you can still get 'em. Here's a modern update:

Wholesale Smart Quartz Watch with Brooch Pin (Orange), Free shipping, $2.07-2.47/Piece | DHgate

You could probably get a whole bunch of them for your class-- they're inexpensive.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Oh I work with a girl that has one of those. The watch part just pops out so she has several different colors so she can match her uniform.

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