Are you brief and to the point? Do you have your labs looked up and include any abnormalities worth mentioning? How about labs ordered for the next shift? Do you remind/point out any new orders? Do you say "uhhhh.... and that's all I've got on John Doe, thanks! Do you add on interesting-but-not-necessary info? Do you see report as a necessary evil?
There is an art to giving report, I'm convinced. Some nurses give it chiseled in marble, and other nurses, like me, give it in crayon.
If you have ever begun your day with getting a detailed, useful and concise report, started your shift with patient rooms the off going nurse left so neat and organized as her report is a fine way to start a shift. The chances of having a good day go way up.
I've learned that when I'm getting report from a nurse about her team and she tells me something like "they're pretty good patients, you should have a good shift, they're all doing well and not much trouble" -- I prepare myself for trouble. Everytime I've heard that, usually several issues pop up for me to deal with. And when I've gotten report from a nurse who said she ran all shift, but is honest on things she didn't get done and takes care of a few last-minute items, I usually have a better night.
grace90, LPN, LVN
763 Posts
I've learned that when I'm getting report from a nurse about her team and she tells me something like "they're pretty good patients, you should have a good shift, they're all doing well and not much trouble" -- I prepare myself for trouble. Everytime I've heard that, usually several issues pop up for me to deal with. And when I've gotten report from a nurse who said she ran all shift, but is honest on things she didn't get done and takes care of a few last-minute items, I usually have a better night.