Who gives the PRN's during change of shift?

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

Hi, this drives me absolutely "nuts". We take report from 7:00-7:30. I cannot tell you how many times during report I am interrupted to give a PRN to a patient that I haven't even seen yet or even read report on yet or to come to the phone and talk to a physician about a patient who I also have yet to see or even know about. I don't want to tell you what shift I work because I think it's immaterial. When our relief comes on we stay on the floor (of course!) and tend to our patients until the oncoming shift comes out of report. The other way around doesn't work the same way. We get interrupted in report even when the patients off-going nurse is still on the floor, sometimes they have already clocked out. This makes me want to pull my hair out! Complaining to the Nurse Manager doesn't work, any suggestions? HELP!!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

For us, it depends on the situation...

If the pt is one of those "clock-watchers" and probably doesn't need the med immediately, then it probably will not be given until after report.

If it's a pt that will call repeatedly, complain to the news, etc because the med wasn't given within 2.5 minutes of the call, then sometimes the charge nurse will give it.

As far as phone calls from the doc interrupting report, that's the off-going shift's responsibility to take. I just hate it when the doc calls before you have even laid eyes on the pt yet, the prior shift has just left, and doc starts asking you things you have no way of knowing.

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Until you actually have report on that patient, and they have been signed off to you by the previous shift, then the responsibility belongs to the previous shift nurse, not the one that is just coming on.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

What I like even less is getting a patient from the ER--no wait, make that a direct admit--while I'm getting report on 7 or 8 other patients. :uhoh3:

Of course three others will be on the call light asking for pain meds.

And the nurse I'm taking over for is inserting the third IV reseal of the night into Mr. Elderly-Confused. She's already asked the doc for restraints but the family has left strict orders for no ativan and no restraints, and there are no sitters available. :chair:

The recruiters weren't kidding when they touted nursing as a challenging profession. :rolleyes:

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

Obviously, RN1976, I have no constructive advice. But it's nice to be able to commiserate with someone who understands.

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Specializes in ICU.

We have 2 Nurses that cover the ward in the morning while we are in getting report, they go in and listen after we are out. On nights we have one who stays out and covers. It works well!

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Specializes in ICU.

BTW, LOVE your username Angie! :chuckle

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

Thanks, RNonsense. I love yours too.

In this business, we need a good laugh now and then, don't we.

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