Don't talk bad about your patients

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this is my day to rant :)

When I get report it is great to know, the age gender, IV site, why they are here, when they might be leaving, & if the labs are ok, etc. ok, BYE BYE, on to the next room please...

I don't need to know the patient is getting a certain pill because you think they are mean and crazy and they asked so many times so had to call the Dr. and that's the reason they are getting pill X. That's your job, suck it up. you might say "hey I know it's PRN but plz give/ or ask if he wants that sleeping pill by 8PM, he has already stated he feels he will want it." (I don't care how many times he asked you about it or how crazy you think he or she is. just state the basic facts.)

REFRAIN from the gossipy comments & your imitation of them.

Try to be a nice person, & give the facts. leave out the extra 8 minutes of what you think that patient put your through & how awful they are.

Every single patient I receive report on, is not a pain and they are not crazy. They just are ill and need tending to.

When you DO talk bad about the patients, I just think you are a total jerk.

Yes I know SOMETIMES patients are truly odd and upsetting.

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I like an abbreviated report of any inappropriate or unreasonable behavior, but not the long version- please!

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

And don't bother telling me how wonderful they are, either. Don't spend 10 minutes going on about how nice the patient is, how nice her family is, yadda yadda and then not even be able to tell me what postop day she is. I don't plan my care according to how nice (or not nice) the patient is. I consider it judgmental either way.

If there are behavioural issues that will need to be addressed, I do appreciate a brief and pertinent heads up.

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Specializes in ER.

I love to add a little editorializing, short and sweet though. Probably those who are reporting to you just need a little vent time, just like you do with this post. It is nice to commiserate with colleagues. I personally appreciate a heads up on obnoxious behaviors that I will likely encounter.

It's important, though, to approach pts on a positive note, even if you've been forewarned. What bugs one nurse may be water off the back of another.Plus, pts respond better to friendly concern, rather than an annoyed and frustrated vibe

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I work with two nurses who I have NEVER heard "vent" about a patient, & I don't either. (coincidentally one is a male nurse who probably gets asked to do lots of extra things because he is a man, & yet he manages to give a normal report with no theatrics). Of course I understand a heads up on inappropriate or very odd behavior. That is very different from what I am talking about.

I think this forum is a great place to vent, but not at work. Just my thoughts.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

You can call me an oddball if you wish, but I like to know about patients with behavioral issues before I meet them. I also appreciate heads-up warnings regarding bizarre family dynamics or tendencies toward crazy-making.

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Heads up re relevant behaviors and issues is different than what OP is talking about.

I don't like it either. And I agree about imitating them, be a pro and find some other ways to cope with common patient behaviors besides lamenting about them.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

This is one of the many reasons I like bedside report.

I honestly think many coworkers refuse to do bedside report because they don't want to miss out on any crap-talking about the patients.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

"Objectivity, objectivity, objectivity!"

-Henry David Thorough

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I ask if they are nice or normal, I think that is reasonable.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

I don't mind a heads up. I just don't like getting a ten minute report on each patient when I have six or seven patients. Ain't nobody got time for that!

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Specializes in ER.
I don't mind a heads up. I just don't like getting a ten minute report on each patient when I have six or seven patients. Ain't nobody got time for that!

You mean you don't want the details about how the 400 pound pt rang her bell 5 times to use the BSC, but then couldn't go, after requiring a two person assist, each time described in detail and at length? Then the daughter came to visit, demanding to talk immediately to the doctor, then she proceeded to text her friends and whine about her ex-husband and their child custody dispute, in between yelling at Mom and talking to her lawyer. Then the pt had the utter audacity to call once again to have her peri area cleaned, even though she hadn't gone, because "it's itchy". Then the druggie looking son arrived and got into it with sis.

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