feel like I suck at communicating with other departments

PediNurse3 · Sep 7, 2011

Do you have a brain or cheat sheet...something that you can write the labs down on as you're organizing your day or as they result? That way you can just pull it out of your pocket and rattle them off without having to log into the computer or flip thru the chart.

It gets easier!

rn/writer, RN · Sep 7, 2011

If you're calling a doc or another department, look up the info before you lift the phone. Make a mini cheat sheet that has a place for labs, vitals, bg (if applicable) and any other details you think you might need. Be absolutely clear about why you are calling. This might sound silly, but say or write out the questions/requests you are asking them about so you don't get flustered or forget something and have to call back (AAHHGG!). Have the chart ready, and if you do electronic charting, open the computer to that patient's labs.

It's a little trickier if someone else is calling you, but still doable. Ask the person to hold for just a moment. Get the chart and pull up the patient on the computer. Do a quick glance at your brain sheet for the day. Take a deep breath, answer the phone again and say, "Thanks for waiting. How may I help you." If this does nothing more than give you a minute to compose yourself, you'll be better off for doing it.

When you take report, run through the patients in your head. Try to spot those whose docs would be more likely to call. Fresh post-ops. The ones who had labs drawn or other diagnostics done. The ones whose off-going nurse placed a call that has yet to be returned. The ones who have a complaint or a request or are getting in your face about going home.

Put yourself on stand-by mode in your head. Remember to follow up on obtaining results and keeping tabs on any new developments. If someone needs that information at any time during the day, it shouldn't come as a sneak attack.

Finally, if you ever find yourself with a few minutes of down time, play a game with yourself. What was Mr. Little's last K+ level? When did Mrs. Nelson last have prn pain meds and how much did she take? Did the culture come back yet on Mrs. Tilly's incision? Then see how quickly you can find the information.

Some of this just takes practice, but you'll be ahead of the game if you can keep yourself calm and organized.

I wish you the best. :up:

CorazonDeOro · Sep 10, 2011

Hi everyone:
Also I work in a large teaching hospital with a TON of residents and I never seem to be able to figure out who is caring for what patient. It is super frustrating!

I totally understand this. I started in July when all the new residents did! Super overwhelming, but the plus side was that I knew more than most of them since I had worked there as a tech. I loved when the residents would ask me for help because I felt competent! But yeah, I am on a surgical floor with about 8 different surgical services plus overflow sometimes. Sometimes I will page the resident and not realize they are standing in front of me! You just have to be confident and remember you are there for the patient, who cares if you feel or look stupid, as long as you are advocating for that patient and you can somehow find the info the MD/NP needs. I also have found that after a while you start to get to know them and it becomes a lot easier and less intimidating. My biggest hurdle was learning to ask the MD to SLOW DOWN on the phone so I could verify the correct order and how to spell their name! I was so afraid to ask them to slow down at first but now I rather look stupid than write something wrong and hurt the patient!