I'm a nighter, and there's this very short unassuming asian lady that works days. She has been there for like 35 years. She's an absolute nightmare to give report to. She drills you like a boot camp. EVERYONE dreads giving report to her. It takes a long time. People wait in line to give report. For example, she'll ask for dates, times, places, doctor's, places, weights, heights, and it just goes on and on and on and on and on. Last night I had to give a report and it lasted 25 minutes. She wanted lab values, print outs, documentation, etc, etc, etc. Not related to the hospitilization, this patient was a borderline diabetic under observation - so we were just taking blood sugards AC and HS to monitor the glucose levels - no coverage though. Oh my God... she asked me if I had started diabetic teaching and I said no. She went on and on and on and on about it... why didn't I call someone, why didn't I play a movie, why didn't I explain a phamplet, why didn't I go over it with him, etc. He was put on a 1800 ADA diet so she asked me why he was on a diabetic diet - I said I don't know, why don't you call the doctor and find out. Then she said something like "Ok, I'll be sure to document that you didn't start diabetic teaching." I swear, this lady drives everyone insane. She's a nightmare to give report to. The only positive thing about her is the double time people get when they give report to her. And, she'll report you to the Nurse Manager if you don't do your best to explain your reasoning. Uggghhh....
On a positive note, there are some I absolutely love giving report to. They're laid back, only want pertinent information that's going to impact the patient right then and there. Report is short, sweet, and simple. They don't need to know the date and Dr. that performed a hysterectomy 10 years ago.
I just cringe when it's one of the day shift RNs who've been there for a while. They are nice enough, but, they won't let me finish report before interrupting with questions. If they'd just shut up and listen, I could easily provide the info without everything getting turned around( off subject ). I have asked them to wait till I finish giving the full report and then to ask questions. And yes, they actually do that now. I just told them how I felt and that I would appreciate it if they'd wait till I finished my report to ask questions.
On my first job we taped report. So you knew that there would occasionally be a question afterwards from the oncoming nurse, but usually you could get out of there in a reasonable time. And we always knew which nurse would come out and ask 15 or so questions - and of course, always, always, she would do this to a new grad.
I learned quick how to tape a good, thorough report. And for the one who liked to quiz us, I'd go "oh I'm so glad you're here! Do you have soandso?"
If not, ah, wellenjoyyourdaythecoffee'sfresh and I'm outtahere! If so, I'd say ok well ---------- and mention one thing that made it sound like I'd done something for her, and while she was thanking me or thinking of the next question I was GONE baby. The only time I came running back was for a code.
Where I am now, the unit's small and we give verbal. There is one. Well there were two but I got picky myself and figured out what the picky one wanted, and that I wanted to know these things myself. So now there is one. You have to watch her, if there is something happening while you give report that needs a nurse, UNLESS it is life threatening I do NOT do it. Or I'll never get out of there, because she will sit on her behind instead of getting up to do work. Same thing when I get there. She'll be at the same spot I left her at, running the other nurse around in circles, playing with the computer, making snarky comments about everything. I sit. I do some of the side paperwork that's gotta be done to start with. I fold up my pocketpaper thing to take report on. I let her get up when it becomes obvious she has to take care of the patient prior to giving report. No way I'm gonna get my panties all in a wad because someone else wants me to.
We have one of these and I was a new nurse about a month into the job before I drew that nasty card. I was just getting a little bit comfortable with things including the "hit the high points" report that everyone else was happy with. What hurt was that none of my night shift buddies even warned me. I was totally blindsided and stammering before I finally got out of there that morning. Now I'm almost two years in and orienting new nurses myself. Needless to say I try to warn/prepare them in a professional way without personally attacking the report dragon.
find it interesting that people suggest "well why don't you tape report?". I have never worked in a place where you actually have a choice as to whether to give a verbal report or a taped report. I would love to work for such a place.
Haven't read the whole thread yet, but - we do written reports where I work. Its incorporated into our computer charting. I can get reports from last shift , the shift before etc. I can go back 2 weeks if I want. Its great! Esp as sometimes the person coming in to replace me is always late - from 5 minutes to 45 mintues. As long as there is an RN on the unit, I leave. I make sure my pts are safe, comfortable and don't need anything before I leave, but at the end of my shift, I'm gone! I can't even imagine having to sit at the end of my shift and give a verbal report.
That said, there are people I hate "following". 1 nurse in particular/ "I showered everyone today, but didn't have time to check BPs, or do this dressing, or check blood work on this one.." Or , my personal favourite, "I didn't get the blood started until 1/2 hour ago "- because we all know she is scared of giving blood and will do anything she can to avoid hanging it!
I'm pretty straightforward when I give report. We have a list of what is pertinent so I pretty much follow that. I work nights so please don't ask me how someone ate. I don't know, I let people sleep on nights. Also, no they didn't go to PT on my time and no, I don't know how they did. I just told you they slept thru the night. There are a couple of nurses I dread getting report from. They are disorganized and I hate waiting 1/2 hour to recieve report. Please be ready to give report when I come our on the floor.
Melinurse
2,040 Posts
I just cringe when it's one of the day shift RNs who've been there for a while. They are nice enough, but, they won't let me finish report before interrupting with questions. If they'd just shut up and listen, I could easily provide the info without everything getting turned around( off subject ).
I have asked them to wait till I finish giving the full report and then to ask questions. And yes, they actually do that now. 
I just told them how I felt and that I would appreciate it if they'd wait till I finished my report to ask questions.