[BlueHenRN]

I usually wait until the end of report to ask questions, partially because I like piecing together things about the patient myself. (For example, if I'm told the patient has been NPO for 5 days following an open chole, I'm going to expect him or her to be on TPN, but I'm not going to say, "oh, so is she on TPN?" unless the other nurse hasn't brought it up by the end). It's part of how I learn and understand.
However, some people don't learn that way. Some people need to know RIGHT NOW or else they will not be able to listen attentively to the rest of report, due to thinking of that burning question. And although it is annoying, the safety of patients is what is necessary.
I have, for the most part, worked 12 hour midnights in MedSurg, so I am very used to reporting off about 7 patients (which means I usually had to report to 2 nurses) and I rarely have been able to leave on time. I, too, wish to make report as short as possible while accounting for patient safety. I am one to say, "I'm getting there!" but I think that might frustrate the incoming nurse and that might make him less receptive to what I am talking about concerning the patient.
~Jess

[ellen 12]

I like reports to be interactive and a time for sharing ideas. This is why there is verbal report, I would have thought.
There is also the written report which doesn't offer the option for sharing of ideas. I prefer for points to be addressed and discussed as the point is raised in discussion. I feel a bit sorry for the new nurse, sometimes nurses can be very kind to patients, but not so kind to each other.
If nurses are too exhausted to hand over and offer the option of questions and discussion at the end of a shift there is a problem. And the problem is not the new nurse who is asking questions. The problem relates to feelings of exhaustion due to being overworked, due to carrying too high a workload.
There is also heirachy in nursing, and petty mindedness is a way to enforce status and establish a place in a pecking order.

[ilovemypuppies]

Originally Posted by DusktilDawn

It's one thing to interrupt and ask a question about something like a procedure you've never heard about or know very little about or clarifying a specific point. It's another to continually interrupt about things you would have been hearing about during the course of that report. Bear in mind it's also distracting to the one giving report when one is frequently interrupted. Oh, and new nurses aren't always guilty of interrupting with questions that would have been answered.

New nurses do interrupt, but some aren't new, I guess they get used to doing it, out of habit, when the question(s) would most of the time be answered.

[DusktilDawn]

Originally Posted by ilovemypuppies

New nurses do interrupt, but some aren't new, I guess they get used to doing it, out of habit, when the question(s) would most of the time be answered.

You know there really has only been very few (like 3-4) times where a nurse was, I felt, inconsiderate and over the line in regards to interrupting with questions. In over 5 years of verbal reports, not bad.

I worked at one place that taped report, and I don't recall anyone complaining about anything that wasn't covered.

I worked at one place that did bedside reports, the constant interruptions and distractions were unreal and the majority were from ancillary staff and residents. Rarely could I get through even one patient's report without being interrupted. Took at least twice as long to give report. Now the only issues at this place where nurses were concerned had to do with lateness and socializing instead of being ready to take report on time, but when no one has to punch in and no one is monitoring punctuality, people take advantage of it. Even though I would be ready to give report on time, this would be a HUGE reason I would leave late.

I now work at a place that does verbal report in the staff room. Staff are on time, as a rule, because they have to punch in and you WILL be disciplined for lateness after a certain amount of occurances within a certain time frame. Great, you're not waiting for stragglers and you can start report on time. You're rarely interrupted or distracted during report. Great, you can stay focused.

I found being interrupted by ancillary staff and residents, along with the chronic late comers the most irritating during reports.

[jlmb214rn]

I'm glad to hear that other nurses are bothered by interruptions in report. Now, I am not so particular that someone can't pipe in when something is unclear. But like other people in the post have said, if I'm going to get to it, then don't interrupt. For example, at my facility we have a form that is used to report from. Most nurses give report by going down the form, filling in the blanks, and then doing a "narrative" type report on the patient after all the technical information (iv site, o2, etc) has been given. There is one nurse at my facility that is BAD about interrupting. I told her the name, the doctor, the diagnosis, then next on the form was the history. The pt had COPD. Immediately, she asked if they were on O2. Well, let me finish... I will most certainly get to that.
Or another time that a patient was here for a surgical procedure and had been NPO. I tell her that the pt was scheduled for 0730 and she asks if the consent is signed and has she been NPO and.... Well, yes. If you hadn't stopped me, I would have told you that already!
I feel your pain on this one.
Yes, report is interactive. I don't think that anyone expects you to just sit there and take notes and never utter a word. Common courtesy does apply, though.