Any tools/suggestions to help with my critical thinking

[jam2007]

I am having a hard time pulling everything together. I work on a medical/telemetry floor and I find that when I get report in the morning or give report during rounds, I am not doing as well as I should in picking up pertinent information. For example, I had some one with high troponins. So I should have made sure they were recycled, make sure the pt is in ASA, BB, etc. Or getting worked up b/c someones BS is high, only tho have the MD point out that they are on prednisone (I feel like a total loser at this point)

I feel inept and need some direction...words of wisdom, websites,books..anything to help me become more competent. I have a review coming up and I am sooo nervous.:uhoh21:

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Organization is the key to giving report. Do you have a method of gathering your pt info so you can report it clearly, concisely & completely? SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is a great model but you need a framework in which to put all the pieces. Try searching allnurses for "brain" threads. Those have links & downloads for ways to collect your pt info in one place. I personally have a checklist of what each pt needs done during my shift and I periodically review orders to make sure all i's dotted and t's crossed. We're computerized so it's fast & easy.

My hospital uses a handoff report that makes life very simple. Just fill it as you go during the shift & read it to whomever is getting report. I can email it you if you'd like. Just PM me and I'll get it to you.