which comes first ?report or counting narcs

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

I give report to two nurses from day shift and the two nurses both pass med on their evening shift this they have go count narcs with either the med nurse or med tech. The problem is that the evening nurses prefer to count first then get report from me. I don't like this because I never leave on time due to the nurses counting first and doing other things in between counting. Also family and other personel will ask me questions while the nurses are counting and it's hard to turn them away. I usually work 7-3 but lately I have been getting off at 330 to 4pm. I just wish I can give my report first then they count. Am I thinking irrational here ?

[november17, ASN, RN]

we generally do report and then count. of course, the next shift is supposed to show up exactly 9 minutes before the shift change hour. So we have plenty of time since we don't get out until 23 minutes after the shift change hour. So it really doesn't make much of a difference. But yea, we report first then count, then round together on all the patients (and yea we still get out on time unless there are some sort of circumstances).

[MedSurgeMess]

Have your facility define a policy, and make it known...and stick with it

[makes needs known]

We almost always count first. Report is more time consuming and we want to get the count over with. This is also when the keys get passed to the next shift, and we are always ready to turn them over.

[systoly]

One can count while the other does report. They can take turns on who counts first. If both must count first, you can use the time to prepare a written report. If family members or other personnel ask you questions pertaining to the 3-11 shift, go ahead and answer them. It's still your shift until after report.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

The staff is supposed to be there 15 minutes before the change of shift as well as stay 15 minutes after for report, counting, etc. So a 7-3 shift is technically 6:45-3:15.

Usually we do report first and then count. Some nurses like to count first, and that doesn't bother me.

[RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN]

our charge nurses are the one's that count, they give report to each other.

[systoly]

The staff is supposed to be there 15 minutes before the change of shift as well as stay 15 minutes after for report, counting, etc. So a 7-3 shift is technically 6:45-3:15.

Usually we do report first and then count. Some nurses like to count first, and that doesn't bother me.

I'm glad I have a job, but no free labor here. That half hour amounts to thousands of man hours over the course of a year which could translates into something like 200 grand in unpaid wages and I'm being conservative.

[kcochrane]

We count first and then get report. But report is taped, so the previous shift can leave as soon as the narcs are counted. My issue is that I have to wait for the day shift to punch in and finally wander down to the unit. Then they have to figure out who might float and who is doing meds. I usually leave 15-30 minutes late each day...but I do get paid. And anything over 8 hours in one day is overtime.

Can you start taping report? I've seen it done both in long term care and acute.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

well I can live with the counting first, however I'm not going to tolerate having to stay an extra hour qday.

[CathyLew]

we count, then do report. This is so the LPN's who may have passed meds, but do not have to stay over 1/2 hr for report can go as soon as the count is cleared.

[Maggie5194]

think positive...you need to count FIRST...after all, once you have given the keys, you are not responsible for the "emergency " med requests from pts & staff!!!