Dreading bedside report with The Interrogator

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Inpatient Oncology/Public Health.

We are transitioning to bedside report soon as "it shows an increase in both patient and nurse satisfaction"(cue management spin.) I am dreading it in general for many reasons. I think it will be awkward, that it will spawn two reports: the sanitized one in front of the patient and the real one elsewhere, and I don't understand how it isn't a HIPAA violation in our semi private rooms.

However, one thing I'm really dreading is being in front of the patient with my coworker The Interrogator. I have no doubt she will use every opportunity to make me look stupid and herself look Super Nurse to the patient. After all, behavior such as hers stems from insecurity. What's better than chipping away at a fellow nurse in privacy ? Doing it in front of a patient!

Has anyone dealt with this and how did you handle it?

I love bedside reports. Give a quick sbar outside of room go in and go over important site and fluids running and get the hellz out. I find it cuts down on the questions because you can point out the important stuff.

Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Be efficient. Report is not an open ended discussion, debate, or time to socialize with patients or visitors.. Mentally prepare what you need to say. A concise review of relevant information and a head to toe focused assessment. You are responsible to present the facts in five minutes or less and go home. That is the goal. Hand off the patient in stable condition. Focus on the facts with a grillmaster who wants a "nursing home report." When asked a rude or ridiculous question just interrupt right back and say "I'm not finished." Repeat as necessary. Keep it brief and keep it moving.

The Interogator won't let you leave unscuffed, she asks questions above and beyond sbar...

Specializes in Inpatient Oncology/Public Health.

Yeah, that's the problem is she will repeatedly interrupt with detailed questions trying to trip me up. I am filled with dread. Maybe the "I'm not finished yet" would work.

Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia.

Oh how I only wish I worked with people and could actually do this. No, instead they want to be spoon fed. The last thing my tired bones feel like doing after 12 hours.

Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

You need some boundaries. That means that your time is valuable and you are protecting what is yours.

You also need to be mentally prepared to speak to what is relevant . Is it possible that you are not organized?

If this individual is very rude and slowing down report by going off on tangents, when you clock out charge for overtime with a text note that states "oncoming nurse argumentative, challenging and asking irrelevant questions during report, unable to finish in time." Time is money. Now that will be addressed.

Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.
Oh how I only wish I worked with people and could actually do this. No, instead they want to be spoon fed. The last thing my tired bones feel like doing after 12 hours.

But why can't you do this? It's business. Focus. If good time management means ignoring the interruptions, do it. Take control of the situation. Set a time limit because it is not open ended. Keep on task and keep on trucking. Do it quickly so that you can both get away from each other. These people will know by your demeanor that you are not in the mood for 20 questions.

I don't want to hang out with the next shift, I want to go home.

Specializes in L&D.
Be efficient. Report is not an open ended discussion, debate, or time to socialize with patients or visitors.. Mentally prepare what you need to say. A concise review of relevant information and a head to toe focused assessment. You are responsible to present the facts in five minutes or less and go home. That is the goal. Hand off the patient in stable condition. Focus on the facts with a grillmaster who wants a "nursing home report." When asked a rude or ridiculous question just interrupt right back and say "I'm not finished." Repeat as necessary. Keep it brief and keep it moving.

THIS.

Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I had a coworker in ICU who would do that. I was on orientation at this hospital and while I hlhad experience, I was not used to the charting system. I got so far behind I couldn't catch up. It was a mess. And she realized it when xoming on in the morning.

Instead of being professional and waiting for a place in privacy where her and I could discuss it. She ripped me a new one in front of staff and patients.

I was horrified, post baby by 8 weeks, not usually emotional, but I burst into tears.

I went to management before she could and asked for a new preceptor. I was fine after that and they actually pulled that nurse in for being unprofessional. My preceptor was stripped of her title.

I did pull her aside one day after I'd proven to be competent and told her that while I apologized for the terrible mess I had left the assignment, but while I thought she had good skills, I'd never be able to view her as a professional because of that experience.

Needless to say, after so many bad "interrogator" experiences in the ICU, for no reason. I found ER is a better fit for me.

I agree with the "im not finished yet". And if it comes down to it, pulling them aside to say, "hey please reserve questions until the end".

:)

Specializes in Inpatient Oncology/Public Health.
You need some boundaries. That means that your time is valuable and you are protecting what is yours.

You also need to be mentally prepared to speak to what is relevant . Is it possible that you are not organized?

If this individual is very rude and slowing down report by going off on tangents, when you clock out charge for overtime with a text note that states "oncoming nurse argumentative, challenging and asking irrelevant questions during report, unable to finish in time." Time is money. Now that will be addressed.

I've been a nurse for 8 years and have come up with a great brain sheet that I've honed in that time. I get out on time with every other nurse I report to, so I'm going to say it isn't my organization that is lacking. Sure there are mornings after a hectic shift when I feel dazed and scattered but that's the exception.

She would argue that every question she asks is relevant. She gets there early and reads the chart and yet still wants a full rundown of everything, including everything she could look up in the system. I'm going to mention the important things of course, but it's never good enough.

I have complained about others in the past making me late with their lengthy report questions. They did seem to change their ways...some.

Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.
I've been a nurse for 8 years and have come up with a great brain sheet that I've honed in that time. I get out on time with every other nurse I report to, so I'm going to say it isn't my organization that is lacking. Sure there are mornings after a hectic shift when I feel dazed and scattered but that's the exception.

She would argue that every question she asks is relevant. She gets there early and reads the chart and yet still wants a full rundown of everything, including everything she could look up in the system. I'm going to mention the important things of course, but it's never good enough.

I have complained about others in the past making me late with their lengthy report questions. They did seem to change their ways...some.

Please try this: look her right in the eye and say this report needs to be over in five minutes or less because I have places to be today. Be laser focused on telling her about the patient. If she interrupts with some extraneous information or question say I don't interrupt you when you do report and I would appreciate it if you would extend the same courtesy to me.

If you have any kind of rapport with this weirdo, ask to speak to her privately before report and say, I need you to listen and not ask questions when I am trying to give report. It is distracting and putting me into overtime. Take control because these people are running you and they know it.

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