giving report to a monster!!!

flashpoint · Dec 2, 2003

LOL...sometimes even taped report doesn't help! We have a charge nurse who will turn off the tape and start reading everything off the Kardex herself...

"301 is a 40 year old male, patient of Dr. Jones..." Tape is switched off, nurses sighs and swears and started reading off the schedule for blood sugars, reminders for labs, etc...swears some more and turns the tape back on and giggles and acts shocked when the next words on the tape are..."in with pneumonia and diabetes out of control...blood sugars are at 0730 and...." LOL. Used to make me mad, now it's to the point that I can't do anything but laugh about it.

Hang in there...don't let him interrupt to answer his questions...(do make sure you answer his questions either during your report or after you've said what you need to say though!)

kmchugh · Dec 2, 2003

Let's dispose with one thing right away: He's not a monster. The only monsters that exist are those that exist in our imagination. He is, as others have pointed out, a bully. Just as in grade school, he is apparently a bully because of his own feelings of inadequacy (I can't believe I'm writing this.)

You are now a nurse, which makes you a professional. The best way to deal with a bully is professionally. Be up front. Next time you must give this man report, proceed in your normal fashion. At his first interruption, stop, put down your papers, and just look at him. I don't recommend trying to talk through him, because the jackass might miss something important. Just look at him. After his question, a simple statement will usually suffice.

"Before you ask me any questions, you might try waiting until I have finished report on the patient. I do not appreciate your constant interruptions, and I will not tolerate it any longer." Then, stick to your guns. At each interruption, simply stop, put your papers down, and look at him. When he is finished, pick up where you left off. DON'T LET HIM BULLY YOU! You deserve better treatment than that.

If it continues, go to your manager, and discuss the problem with her. You might even suggest she sit in on your next report with this gentleman. At that point, he should get the picture.

Kevin McHugh

Rapheal · Dec 2, 2003

I went through this too- and later learned these few nurses are IMHO not very good. My solution to interuptions- I take a breath and just pause. No sound for at least 3 seconds. Then I start with the next sentence with "As I was saying."

I have one nurse who goes about a million miles a minute and is very scattered and disorganized in her thinking. She constantly makes everyone repeat themselves. I tried speaking slowly on many occasions. Then one day I said with a laugh " You don't hear anything I say do you?". She apologized but the next report I am sure will be the same. Don't let the bullies get to you. I do believe you will be a force to be reckoned with once you have more experience in dealing with these bullies.

efy2178 · Dec 2, 2003

Your coworker's behaviour is abusive and should not be tolerated.

After report you need to take him aside and have a discussion with him. Sometimes bullys only bully because they can. Be up front and tell him that his behaviour is counterproductive for the both of you and you will not tolerate it. Tell him that you expect to complete report before he jumps in. Set the ground rules. Also let him know that you will take this a step further if it continues--nurse manager or HR and file a grievance. That will get his attention. If there is a format he would like yuou to stick to ask him what it is and write it down.

If there is a problem with others giving/receiving report you now have an opportunity to correct a situation for yourself and others. Most of us want to play by the rules, but we don't always know what they are. Define them! Get together with your collegues and ask what they want to know. Do a little research and find out what is necessary in report. Define a format.

Then stick to it. You will be seen as a problem solver and then you will have the ability to make your coworker stick to it.

Good luck and write back and tell us what happened.

Rhon1991 · Dec 2, 2003

Originally posted by efy2178
.
After report you need to take him aside and have a discussion with him. Sometimes bullys only bully because they can. Be up front and tell him that his behaviour is counterproductive for the both of you and you will not tolerate it. Tell him that you expect to complete report before he jumps in. Set the ground rules. Also let him know that you will take this a step further if it continues--nurse manager or HR and file a grievance. That will get his attention. If there is a format he would like yuou to stick to ask him what it is and write it down.
If there is a problem with others giving/receiving report you now have an opportunity to correct a situation for yourself and others. Most of us want to play by the rules, but we don't always know what they are. Define them! Get together with your collegues and ask what they want to know. Do a little research and find out what is necessary in report. Define a format.
Then stick to it. You will be seen as a problem solver and then you will have the ability to make your coworker stick to it.
Good luck and write back and tell us what happened.

This is NOT the kind of person you take around the corner to have a discussion with. That is confrontational and offensive. That is asking for trouble. I think its best to deal with the situation at hand, during the report itself - as many have stated how to do. Keep it short and simple.

Secondly, defining a report format is a good initial idea. Develop a systematic way of giving it, however you will have to learn to be flexible with that because some recievers want less, some want more. Just make sure you report the most important things.

Back to the main point, we are talking about bullies here. They are hardly ever happy and will find things to gripe about no matter what you do. Its about how to deal with them and we deal with them differently than your average nurse who just wants to do his/her job well.

efy2178 · Dec 2, 2003

Sorry you don't agree but I will stick to my opinion. After nursing for 18 years and in several different areas, I have come across my share of bullies. I would and have confronted them. It is confrontational, that is the point. Sometimes it is most appropriate to Confront Conflict not waltz around it.

However, you must keep an even tone, not use offensive language and remain professional. Maybe I should have included that.

itsnowbegun · Dec 2, 2003

ok, thank you all so much for the advice, naturally when i am ready to confront this 'bully' he is out for a week. but i will practice in the mirror what i will say to him. i think he is borderline bipolar or something, because when he is really angry he will repeat phrases that he probally learned in a therapy for aggressive personalities, and just throws a little tantrum right then and there, i will need back up in case he wants to act out.

i also found out this will be his last month as well...but there is noway i will allow him to leave without me standing up for myself.

thanks so much for your advice, and i will keep you all posted.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2003

itsnowbegun, sounds like you have a plan. Good luck!

On the other hand he might not know he's doing this. People like that sometimes are oblivious. While he may be hurt or angry that you point it out to him, he may take it well as he doesn't know he does it.

Karen30 · Dec 2, 2003

Ways to handle this are:

1. Ask him to wait until the end of each patient handover before asking questions, stating that while you appreciate he needs to know certain information it might be better for him to let you finish and then ask questions on anything he is unclear about.

2. We use preprinted handover sheets, with age, diagnosis, etc... on to cut out on handover time and these types of questions.

3. Carrying on giving the handover as though you have not heard, (I know it sounds rude, but it's amazing how quickly bullies like this shut up when they realise you won't be intimidated by their constant interupttions. It may also take some willpower from yourself, I have done this though with a member of staff I worked with as I had a similar situation to yourself).

Town & Country · Dec 2, 2003

alot of good advice here.

these people must be every-where, lol!

one different tactic i used was:

i knew that they were just interrupting me; drilling me with questions in order to intimidate me.

(if they had really wanted to know something i wouldn't have minded).

so, i just played their little game.

when she would ask me some bizarre question, i would say,

"hmmmm......when was his last x-y-z done?" and act very, very perplexed....if you know what i mean.

and give them a wide-eyed stare and a sweet smile.

works every time.....

:roll

nurseygrrl, LPN · Dec 3, 2003

Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy
First, politely and kindly ask them to shut the hell up until you are finished

:roll

Too funny...reminds me of what I'd do...:) I have taken too much crap in my life to put up with the likes of that jackass. I would politely tell him to keep quiet until I was through speaking and if he started up again, I would tell him to shut up and listen, or else he could just read report for himself!

Brownms46 · Dec 3, 2003

Originally posted by efy2178
Your coworker's behaviour is abusive and should not be tolerated.
After report you need to take him aside and have a discussion with him. Sometimes bullys only bully because they can. Be up front and tell him that his behaviour is counterproductive for the both of you and you will not tolerate it. Tell him that you expect to complete report before he jumps in. Set the ground rules. Also let him know that you will take this a step further if it continues--nurse manager or HR and file a grievance. That will get his attention. If there is a format he would like yuou to stick to ask him what it is and write it down.
If there is a problem with others giving/receiving report you now have an opportunity to correct a situation for yourself and others. Most of us want to play by the rules, but we don't always know what they are. Define them! Get together with your collegues and ask what they want to know. Do a little research and find out what is necessary in report. Define a format.
Then stick to it. You will be seen as a problem solver and then you will have the ability to make your coworker stick to it.
Good luck and write back and tell us what happened.

I totally agree!!! Well said!