Results

I.

Criteria Chart
A criteria chart in appendix 1 shows the different writing genres that are used in the
nursing field and determines which genre would be best to include as a course in the
nursing department. The points in the criteria chart are used on a 1-10 scale to determine
which has the highest score. The point scores for the genres resulted as 33 for patient care
reports, 25 for incident reports, and 31 for care plans. Evidently, the genre with the
highest score was the patient care reports, making it the focus of the research.

II.

Online Research
MacLemale Article:
Online research was made to determine the importance and the conventions of patient
care reports. An online research article by MacLemale (n.d)., states that technical writing
is important for nursing students because it includes writing specific and concise
information about a patient. MacLemale (n.d)., also explains the importance of technical
writing when it comes to writing quick information such as the appearance of a patient.
Purdue Owl Website:
The Purdue Owl writing website also states that nurses work revolves around many
patient care reports or charting information and provides three rules for writing (Writing
as a professional nurse, n.d). The three rules include being precise to avoid any
misunderstanding of procedures, being objective to record information rather than
feelings or emotions, and remembering your critical audience to avoid any mistakes and
further issues (Writing as a professional nurse, n.d.).

III.

Interviews
Three nurses, Iliana Garcia, Diana Pira and Stephanie Chang, were interviewed
separately. The first question asked was Can you name and describe the most important
style of writing that you use everyday as a nurse? The response for all three nurses was
analyzed to create a general answer. Their answer stated that the most often used style of
writing was patient care reports (personal communication, November 3, 2014). The three
nurses claimed that a patient care report is a document written for every patient that
includes all of the patients information and care that was given (personal
communication, November 3, 2014). The next question was What kind of writing styles
do you wish you would have learned before working as a nurse? The three nurses stated
that they wanted to learn writing styles that were short and to the point because
everything on the patient care report had to be documented quickly (personal
communication, November 3, 2014). The last question asked was What does the type of
writing look like? The nurses answered that the patient care reports included all of the
patients basic information such as the name, date of birth, sex, weight, and social
security number (personal communication, November 3, 2014). Another section of the
report includes all of the patients medical information such as the diagnosis, medical
history, medications, allergies, and vital signs. In addition, a narrative, which describes
the process of how the patient was cared for is also included (personal communication,
November 3, 2014).

IV.

Course Catalog
The Cal State Fullerton catalog provides descriptions of the different classes that the
university offers for a nursing student. The nursing students at CSUF are essentially

provided with different courses that expand their knowledge but the writing techniques
and styles are ignored.
Scientific and Technical Writing 360: This English course is for science majors and it
focuses on technical writing. The course focuses on professional writing done in the
science field, which includes research reports and proposals (CSUF, 2011). Although this
English course is for science majors, it does not focus enough on any type of nursing
technical writing strategies.
Health Assessment for Professional Practice 321: This nursing course provides
assessment skills to determine the patients history and other medical information needed
for a patient care report but it does not teach the techniques to be able to write the
information down on a patient care report.

References
California State University Fullerton. (2011, August 18). 2011-2013 University Catalog.
Fullerton, CA
MacLemale, L. (n.d.) Importance of technical writing in nursing students. Synonym. Retrieved
from http://classroom.synonym.com/importance-technical-writing-nursing-students1265.html
Writing as a professional nurse. (n.d.). Purdue Owl Writing Lab. Retrieved from
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/922/01/.
Prehospital care reports. (February 2012). Department Of Health Information for a Healthy New
York. Retrieved from https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/ems/policy/12-02.htm.