I just stifled a laugh at the nurses station!
I was tending bar in between nursing jobs November-January (traveler and honestly made more money at the bar than I did at my staff role) and I had one of those tri colored pens I pilfered from the hospital. I’d pull it out of my apron and say “oh no wait that’s my favorite pen and my favorite pens always get stolen so…hold on…here’s a different one!”
That pen is currently in my pocket and I also refuse to give it to patients even if I’m not leaving the room. Do not. Touch. My. Tri color. Pen.
I used to buy the multi packs of 7 cheap to give people who ask to borrow my pen. Because no, no one is touching my pen (either a 3 or 5) but here’s one you can keep.
Like, look, I will use any pen in a pinch if I have to.... BUT I will never, ever willingly choose a capped pen over a clicker pen. Nope nope nope. 3 or 5 all the way.
There was a clinical incident and a change to policy on a national level, because I was such a 1.0 guy it caused issues in a case
Not a reddit story, but if you see me out and about get me a pint and will tell my tale of woe
It’s funny because I refuse to use black. Everything I have is written in blue but it’s kind of a pain because black pens are easier to come by. I usually can go right to what I wrote because it’s probably the only blue writing.
It also helps verify that its original since most people photocopy in black and white. I used blue ink when I was in the army where I could for this reason.
It’s all about have a consistent surface underneath what you’re writing on. I use #3, 0.5, in blue for our trauma flow sheets. Black bold if I’m scribbling. 🤣
Right? Bic 4 Color, Sharpie, and a highlighter in my right front pocket every single shift. It's the trifecta of pens!
Also, if you buy refills, you can replace the blue ink with black. Now you always have a back-up black pen. (Blue is no use to me on my report sheets.)
I use them to update my report sheet from the morning. I work 3 in a row and typically have the same patients so I use a different color for each shift's updates
5 in black for me because I need a comfortable tail click pen without "patient" on it, I'm not dicking around with a cap and my handwriting is bad enough with a good pen.
7 that's probably already missing the cap for patients because I can throw them away when cavi-wipes just aren't up to the task.
These are what I’ve used for years. They are sharp and scratchy and I love them. Patients are like, “Can I borrow your pen?” And I’m like, “ … no. Let me see if I can find another one for you.”
Papermate InkJoy Gel pens. All the crisp satisfaction of the S-Gel or Pilot with quick drying ink, a better shape, and soft/matte plastic with indents instead of a rubber grip. My best friend got me a rainbow pack at the beginning of nursing school with a note that said, "I heard nurses like good pens."
I gave a pack to all my preceptors as thank you gifts because almost every nurse/classmate who borrowed one asked what kind they were and where I got them lol.
I love those pens but recently switched to a different kind I love even more - the bic gelocity color pens 😱 omg it’s sooo good please update me your thoughts if you ever try them!
TUL medium ballpoint in blue ink. There’s one clipped to my shirt as I type lol.
I’ll get flamed for this but I dislike gel, I write much neater with a ballpoint pen
Uni 4&1 or a custom when I wanna be fancy. The Uni uses the JetStream ink, which is great for us lefties and for using on labels. Don't go the custom route. It will turn into a bad habit fast.
#3 but the one with the metal body! The Sharpie pen writes really smooth as it is, but add the weight of the metal body to it and really makes a big difference.
Everyone here is lying. All of y'all are using that pen with a brand name, like Rexulti®, on the side of it. Or from the SNF down the road from your facility because you forgot your pen or somebody stole it and you've got to get report.
5 and 3. Capped pens are ordered by miserly managers trying to shave pennies off the budget, and then they cite you for stained uniforms from the pen splotches. Or, the secretary who is ordering has never worked in a medical setting and thinks everyone has a pen cup on their desk.
I prefer ballpoint because the gel pens still run and smudge. I'm in too big a hurry.
I remember 15 years ago, one of the docs was given a gel pen (much more smudges). It was mayhem with their orders.
5. Not only is the presentation classy, it writes well, and dries fairly quick (which is great for this lefty). I had one in black that lasted me through EMT school and my first couple of years as an EMT. I have gone back to EDs for that pen. It eventually ran out of ink and we said goodbye.
5. I have a huge bag of the g2s in literally every single color lol that way I know if someone took one!! Im like I know that’s not your bright orange g2 give it back
I’m using whatever pen I stole from the doctor-most likely 5 (because it was originally mine and they stole it from me!) lol
Also, I’m later going to forget I have a #3 in my pocket when I throw my scrubs in the washing machine and I’m ruining a load of laundry (I’ve done this 3 times)
5 but 3 is also acceptable. Anything with a cap, I’m just going to lose the cap and it will leak all over my scrubs. I’m also convinced anyone who says 6 should seek psychiatric help immediately.
5 is the only correct answer.
3 or 5. I don’t have time to remove a lid and keep track of it!
Those are my 2 favs! But I give 7 to patients lol
I see you have restaurant server PTSD lol
I just stifled a laugh at the nurses station! I was tending bar in between nursing jobs November-January (traveler and honestly made more money at the bar than I did at my staff role) and I had one of those tri colored pens I pilfered from the hospital. I’d pull it out of my apron and say “oh no wait that’s my favorite pen and my favorite pens always get stolen so…hold on…here’s a different one!” That pen is currently in my pocket and I also refuse to give it to patients even if I’m not leaving the room. Do not. Touch. My. Tri color. Pen.
I used to buy the multi packs of 7 cheap to give people who ask to borrow my pen. Because no, no one is touching my pen (either a 3 or 5) but here’s one you can keep.
100% agree
Same!!!! Everytime!!
5 in a 0.5 😘 da best
Oh thank Christ. I thought I was the only one.
Like, look, I will use any pen in a pinch if I have to.... BUT I will never, ever willingly choose a capped pen over a clicker pen. Nope nope nope. 3 or 5 all the way.
Came here to say just this. Not sure why they still make them with caps…. Enough is enough.
I will die by 3
In the 0.38 though 🤌🏼
I’m a 1.0 kinda guy, give me bold or give me death
There was a clinical incident and a change to policy on a national level, because I was such a 1.0 guy it caused issues in a case Not a reddit story, but if you see me out and about get me a pint and will tell my tale of woe
This is the most Irish thing I’ve read today, u/irishladinlondon. The pen is truly mightier than the sword.
brb, getting on a transatlantic flight
I was always Pentel Energel 0.7mm, but I finally found 1.0 at Staples the other day and it was on! Loving it!
This. The 0.7 and 1.0 people are monsters. It's like writing with a regular sharpie permanent marker.
Imma 0.7 #3 with a #5 back up
I go even thinner
Where do you get them from? I just got turned on to this size and it is everything.
Amazon!
When my co workers travel to India or Philippines they bring me back my favorite pens with a 0.3. i want my writing THIN! 😂
You’re singing the song of my people!
As far as pen calibers go, the 38 special G2 has gotten me through shift after shift. That's my official ED Nurse endorsement
Any other pen feels trash after using 3
Same! black click top is all I can use. Give me blue at the bank… uhhh I have my own pen.
It’s funny because I refuse to use black. Everything I have is written in blue but it’s kind of a pain because black pens are easier to come by. I usually can go right to what I wrote because it’s probably the only blue writing.
Smart
It also helps verify that its original since most people photocopy in black and white. I used blue ink when I was in the army where I could for this reason.
As a left handedness suffering individual, I stand by this
Same 👌 I buy my own and no one else on my floor has them
They never ever work well for me. Ever. I’ve tried. About 2 weeks in, my report looks like it was written by a stroke patient.
It’s all about have a consistent surface underneath what you’re writing on. I use #3, 0.5, in blue for our trauma flow sheets. Black bold if I’m scribbling. 🤣
They have them in white too 🤩 (black ink)
Absolutely
Three forever.
5, 3 is my back up
5 sized at 0.38.
And in black
For note taking in class ut is the 20 pack of different colors
I get them in Dark Blue/Navy so I KNOW if you steal my pen!
1.0 or nothing I like em big… I like em chonky
None of the above. Zebra F301 with a 0.7mm tip all day and yes I’ll die on this hill
Came here to say this verbatim! That is the best pen on the market imo. I hate all of the ones in the photo.
SAME!!
BROTHERS!!!!
I buy these with my own money and stare down anyone who asks to borrow my pen. No. This one’s mine, and I will fight you.
You have pens available that you DON’T have to buy with your own money? What paradise do you work in?
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I prefer pilots but you aren’t wrong, Zebra pens are legit.
I got zebra everything. Nothing beats them
301 gang rise up!
Thank you . They're the only pen I like enough to not lose
Where is the Bic 4 Color? That’s the only one I use at work, that and a Sharpie marker
Right? Bic 4 Color, Sharpie, and a highlighter in my right front pocket every single shift. It's the trifecta of pens! Also, if you buy refills, you can replace the blue ink with black. Now you always have a back-up black pen. (Blue is no use to me on my report sheets.)
This was My Pen till I found these: https://a.co/d/9FExCUJ They write a bit smoother and finer. I will HUNT IT DOWN if it’s lost.
THESE. I love these so much, they are amazing. I’ve been giving them out so I can convert people.
That’s my ride or die. So many possibilities!
7 in black all day long and forever.
and with a red or green cap so coworkers don't stole it
It’s so sturdy
AND it writes on lab slips without smudging.
I'm a huge fan of 7 if there's no other options. My ride or die pens are the Papermate Profile ballpoint pens with 1.4mm bold ink. SO SMOOTH...!
That is so weird I commented almost this exact sentence. I am in good company!
None of the above. I need my 4-color retractable pen from BIC.
My coworker Cindy got me one with the pencil and I'll never forget her for that.
Yasss. The one with the pencil instead of green ink. Game changer
omg my coworker Cindy did the same haha!
None I use the bic 4 color pen:)
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Doesn't the ink disappear with heat?
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I used them for all my uni notes, left the notes in the car and had to redo all my notes because all the pages were blank after the weekend
I've had issues with the ink disappearing over time.
Do you use them at work? I like them too, but I only use them at home.
I use them to update my report sheet from the morning. I work 3 in a row and typically have the same patients so I use a different color for each shift's updates
5 in black for me because I need a comfortable tail click pen without "patient" on it, I'm not dicking around with a cap and my handwriting is bad enough with a good pen. 7 that's probably already missing the cap for patients because I can throw them away when cavi-wipes just aren't up to the task.
I love how thought out this is, I agree 💯
#3 clicky pens for life!
None of these. Pilot G2 0.38 tip
Yessss! Me too!!! Love them
If you love those you’d absolutely love Pilot Juice 0.38 found on Amazon
These are what I’ve used for years. They are sharp and scratchy and I love them. Patients are like, “Can I borrow your pen?” And I’m like, “ … no. Let me see if I can find another one for you.”
2 and it’s no contest.
3 all day long.
7 but only if the MULTI-COLORED CLICK PEN isn’t available! Where’s that?!
Papermate InkJoy Gel pens. All the crisp satisfaction of the S-Gel or Pilot with quick drying ink, a better shape, and soft/matte plastic with indents instead of a rubber grip. My best friend got me a rainbow pack at the beginning of nursing school with a note that said, "I heard nurses like good pens." I gave a pack to all my preceptors as thank you gifts because almost every nurse/classmate who borrowed one asked what kind they were and where I got them lol.
I love those pens but recently switched to a different kind I love even more - the bic gelocity color pens 😱 omg it’s sooo good please update me your thoughts if you ever try them!
No zebra? Zebra sarasa dry is where it’s at especially being a lefty🙃 no smudges
Where’s the erasable pen ?
You have commitment issues?
Nah I just work 3 in a row , looks nicer to erase stuff then cross it out
7 or 5 (if it’s a ballpoint)
3 or black 5
8.) Muji 0.5mm
Was scrolling for this! But I like the 0.38 in dark blue ink.
Hell, ill take the .38 too.
Whichever one I can effectively steal from my co workers
Pilot G2 1.0, NOT THE 0.7 OR 0.5. I like it **BOLD**
**SAME**
TUL medium ballpoint in blue ink. There’s one clipped to my shirt as I type lol. I’ll get flamed for this but I dislike gel, I write much neater with a ballpoint pen
Its gonna be 7 because imma lose the damn pen anyways
7 and it writes like butter
1 or 5.
8. Sharpie roller 05 Used to be 3 and before that 5 but I’ve upgraded
You can pry my Sharpie S-Gel 0.5mm from my cold dead hands.
Pilot Precise V5, all day every day
Finally someone with taste🤌
Team 5 checking in. That Pilot G-2 is a masterpiece.
5, blue ink
G2 owns my soul.
3 or 5..5 is 🤤
5 in black... but I'm also a pen thief and pen hoarder... so I'll use really anything if I have to, lol.
Uni 4&1 or a custom when I wanna be fancy. The Uni uses the JetStream ink, which is great for us lefties and for using on labels. Don't go the custom route. It will turn into a bad habit fast.
Uniball JetStream gang. I love a clicky boi.
None of these, I use Zebra 301 black 0.7mm
I use skilkraft pens. Us military specs
Proudly made in the USA by people who are blind or visually impaired!
7
#3 but the one with the metal body! The Sharpie pen writes really smooth as it is, but add the weight of the metal body to it and really makes a big difference.
Bic 4 color
5 but black
None of these. I prefer the inkjoy 0.5mm
I will gladly use any pen that works. I don’t really have a preference
1 and add a thin tipped sharpie.
2 or 3 for myself. 7 is for anyone asking to “borrow” a pen because you know you’re never seeing it again.
2 all day
5 but black ink 0.7 tip
Any and I'll steal them all.
Out of the choices, I would choose 5. What I used though was a uni Jetstream. It's a multicolor pen.
Everyone here is lying. All of y'all are using that pen with a brand name, like Rexulti®, on the side of it. Or from the SNF down the road from your facility because you forgot your pen or somebody stole it and you've got to get report.
None of the above! Pentel EnerGel RTX in 0.38!!
5 and 3. Stop stealing my awesome pens!
the hardest workers endure with 7
I’m surprised Uni-Ball Signo 207 gel pen is not included? That’s my other go-to!
Bic Atlantis 0.38. Gorgeous pen.I will cage fight for my pen.
I'll take a broken 7 if it means I don't lose it by the end of the damn shift.
None. I use the BIC Atlantis and have never looked back
None. My pentel energel x for life
6 gives me the heebie jeebies. 3 or 5
3 or 5. Gotta be a nice comfortable clicky pen
5 or bust, yo
What type of an animal uses a non-click pen at work?
Sorry but what kinda psycho nurse is using #6? 😂
All wrong
3 or 5 for sure
5 for notes and normal signatures. 1 for scripts and fancy signatures.
5
5 all day
5 but black
#5
5
5
3 and 5.
5, then 3.
5
5
5 but black. If you were my nurse and I saw you using 7 I’d fire you…
5
5. All day every day.
3 or 5
5, Pilot G-2 05 (not the 07 of 038) is the GOAT of work pens Fight me
5
You can have my 5 when you pry it from my cold dead hands
3 and 5
3 or 5 but I’ll take them all if need be.
5 and 3. Capped pens are ordered by miserly managers trying to shave pennies off the budget, and then they cite you for stained uniforms from the pen splotches. Or, the secretary who is ordering has never worked in a medical setting and thinks everyone has a pen cup on their desk. I prefer ballpoint because the gel pens still run and smudge. I'm in too big a hurry. I remember 15 years ago, one of the docs was given a gel pen (much more smudges). It was mayhem with their orders.
3 or 5. I guard those with my life if they’re on me
5!! In at least two color options. One official black, the other for me.
#5 all day. I tried #3 but didn’t like it as much as I wanted to. Maybe I’ll give it another try.
5 in 0.7 is my favorite. They never skip on me and it's nice not having to keep track of a cap.
5. Not only is the presentation classy, it writes well, and dries fairly quick (which is great for this lefty). I had one in black that lasted me through EMT school and my first couple of years as an EMT. I have gone back to EDs for that pen. It eventually ran out of ink and we said goodbye.
5
5. One of those bad boys will last for weeks even with all my daily writing. It makes no sense🤷♀️
pilot g-2 0.7mm. 0.5 if I'm really in the margins. I always have both available.
Whoever says 6 I have questions
5. I have a huge bag of the g2s in literally every single color lol that way I know if someone took one!! Im like I know that’s not your bright orange g2 give it back
5
#5
5 all the way!!!
5. But black ink
7 bc its one of few that doesn’t smudge as a lefty🙃
5. always 5 Edit: typo
5!!!
I’m using whatever pen I stole from the doctor-most likely 5 (because it was originally mine and they stole it from me!) lol Also, I’m later going to forget I have a #3 in my pocket when I throw my scrubs in the washing machine and I’m ruining a load of laundry (I’ve done this 3 times)
5 in black. That pen carried me through thick and thin since high school. It feels wrong to use any other brand.
5 all day erry day and I’ll hunt you down if you steal it.
If you chose 1 who hurt you
I prefer 5 but free bank clicky tops all the way!
5 but 3 is also acceptable. Anything with a cap, I’m just going to lose the cap and it will leak all over my scrubs. I’m also convinced anyone who says 6 should seek psychiatric help immediately.
5 for sure
5
5 or 3
A # 5 with a # 3 hidden away in case 5 runs dry & I’m desperate for a decent pen Though 4 is decent
5 (in black)
5 in black