giving report to rude nurses

[tolerantgirl]

Last night was the first night I came across a rude nurse during report. First of all, I agreed to stay late for this nurse because she had a flat tire. When I started to give her report, she kept getting on her cell phone and checking text messages. She interrupted me when I started to give her the history and told me " I can read, I can find out the history myself." She rolled her eyes at me during report and wanted to sign the 12 hour chart check before we even went over the orders. She completely dismissed me. I was so angry. What should I do about this or how should I handle this the next time it happens? How can people who are educated be so stupid when it comes down to basic manners you should have learned in kindergarten?

[NightNurseRN]

Ohmygosh, this so reminds me of a nurse I used to work with. In my case I was a new nurse and she liked to act like a bully, not listening to my report, flipping through the chart pointing out things I didnt tell her such as "Oh the patient has physical therapy, you didnt mention thAT". I used to go home with tears in my eyes after giving report to her. I came to realize she as insecure and she used bullying to make herself feel better. After I wasnt so new anymore a new nurse came and she started acting the same way toward her. The only advice I can give is do not let her see you sweat! Stick up for yourself and keep your head held high.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

I am interested to see the responses.

When I am speaking and someone else is texting etc. I just stop. If someone is rolling their eyes and making other hostile gestures I would simply ask them what was wrong. Mind you I would be very careful to not be unpleasant with them -- i.e. not say "what is your problem" or something sarcastic.

Maybe she has a personal preference for how she "receives" report. Ask her. Of course I would go outside your facility's procedure for report. Also, make sure you follow procedure for the 12 hr check -- don't let someone pressure you to do it in a way that might get you in trouble (by not following procedure).

[Nurse_Hagatha]

These seem to be the same people who go into management. I don't think they should be allowed to breed, because they are in every hospital, in every state in the country...even the WORLD. There are far too many of them already.

To borrow from George W., they are "evildoers."

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

I know I have read and heard that some nurses take excessively long to give report. I so hope that when I am a proper nurse, if I am doing that someone just tells me. I just don't get why people can't ask for what they want.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

I would pull her aside and be diplomatic. If that doesn't work, go to the manager.

Tait

[SonicnurseRN]

No excuse for bad manners!!

That being said, I'd just hand her the report sheet next time & hit the 'highlights' verbally ... if she would rather read the report sheet, who cares?.

I do that w/ some nurses I work w/ ... try not to take it personally.

[gcupid]

Maybe the nurse was rolling her eyes at a crazy text message she received. However, it is the end of your shift and I'm sure you are tired or ready to go in handle business in your personal life.

I would have said, "I'm not sure if you are listening or missing anything when I'm talking, when you are texting. Let me know, if you need me to repeat something. I am not going to stop everytime you text, I have somewhere to be...

And if she is rolling her eyez, roll yours eyes back as well or sigh, or smack your lips...Some people don't realize the vibe they are giving off. When she notices your actions and asks the reasoning behind them, then explain to her that I'm just imitating you.

or when she is texting, if she has a question during report pull out your phone & start texting before answering her...LOL! It shouldn't be like that but you do what you have to do so people can change their behavior.

[coco3299]

You must realize that this nurses attitude had nothing to do with you. It happens more often than one might hope, but hey its her license if she wants to sign orders she has not went over with you. If you feel really pressed about it talk to your supervisor and request to remain anonymous but arguing with this nurse is going to be a waste. She has a problem and it has nothing to do with you!

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

You can't change others' attitudes. You can only control how you deal with it. In this case, I don't think I'd bother much about it. Perhaps I would mention "did you forget your manners? It's hard to hear report when you're texting" in a nice way, probably not. Really - does this matter at the end of the day?

[greenbeanio]

I don't like ignoring unpleasant behaviors because in my experience that just escalates the behavior. So I just tend to be really direct but not rude.

Like "Is something I'm saying bothering you or am I taking too long? Just let me know how you like report to be given and I'll try and change what I'm doing."

And if she says no, nothing's wrong, I'd say "Oh, okay, it's just that I saw you rolling your eyes and texting so that's why I thought something was wrong."

And if she does tell you what's bugging her, then I'd try to incorporate that information into how I do things.

[ilmbg]

I am willing to bet that this is one of the same people who text while driving.....just like the man who hit my adult daughter while she was walking the dog a few weeks ago- going 3 feet off the road- killing her dog and shattering my daughter's leg badly- she has a long recovery to go. Show the rude nurse this this response...