Giving report at shift change

Nurses General Nursing

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Have you ever had to give report to a really really mean nurse and they try to get the day nuses to do have their work or for them befor the day shift can leave,

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

dazyRN:

Your post ended with a comma. Perhaps you meant to convey more?

However, to answer your question: YES.

Now. How have I dealt with such a situation? With the gentle art of confrontation. Make objectively appropriate statements. Be factual. If a duty is another's responsibility, it needs to be pointed out to them.

Let the really really mean nurse know that if the two of you cannot adequately remedy this situation, other obtions will be considered and utilized. You don't have to be specific. Just inform the really really mean nurse of your intentions. Then, plan your course of action.

When I was hired at the current Institution I now work for, I let my Supervisor know of this technique. For example, I said, "If I have a problem with a Peer or Co-worker, I will first attempt to resolve the problem with the other Individual. If the problem can not be adequately rectified, I will bring it to your attention."

My Peers and Co-workers are aware of my technique. The majority of the time, problemed situations are easily rectified. However, I have had to inform my Supervisors at times. And I ALWAYS document the problemed situation. Any correspondences are also documented.

It may seem like a lot of work in the beginning, but this techique has proven to be infallible.

The best to you in resolving this situation.

Dave

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

I like what he said. If you haven't been in the situation you describe you haven't been nursing long or are just darn lucky. Yea; I'm with the mellow - let's work this out crowd and detest confrontation but unfortunately it's part of the game.

Stay strong and next time someone is attempting to rip you a new one, look at the person; I mean really look into their eyes and you will find an empty sadness in all that anger. Who knows what circumstances have brought that person to that moment in time but you got to know they are not a happy person. Too sad. We can only hope they will take personal responsibility and get help.

As far as dumping work on another shift remember; nursing is a 24hr job and everyone needs to take responsibility, continuation of care.

Welcome to the jungle!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

everyday, so I do everything I can, don't slack off and I give a report with my "wish list" for the day doctor and for the day nurse. "this needs to get done.....".

No it's not a laundry list I've left unattended and ignored, it's what I couldn't get to so the day or night nurse knows what needs to be tackled. I'm always honest with it, never hiding anything and my practice of doing everything I can speaks for itself.

No one than can question my care, and what is left to be done,, usually rare, is an honest list that needs to be completed.

I'd rather have someone tell me what isn't done, than blow smoke up my butt about what they've done. Your actions and words, when true and consistant will stop the "nag".

there is that rare person whom will never be pleased no matter what, when you give report to them, I give it short and sweet because if they haven't learned my practice behaviors by now, I could give a crap.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Stay strong and next time someone is attempting to rip you a new one, look at the person; I mean really look into their eyes and you will find an empty sadness in all that anger. Who knows what circumstances have brought that person to that moment in time but you got to know they are not a happy person. Too sad. We can only hope they will take personal responsibility and get help.

Wow tyvin. That is so empathetic of you! It shoes great insight into your fellow human being!

People don't behave badly because they're bad. People often behave the way they do in order to deal with their deep dark Primal Pool of Pain.

They just sometimes require that a mirror be held up to them in order for them to see themselves as others do. (Provided they have the strength, power, and where-with-all to really have a good look .)

Dave

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I remember one who followed me regularly when I was a new nurse, and I dreaded it. I considered her "mean nurse".

Now that I look back, I realize that she was not being mean, she was showing me the unwritten nurse rules.

I would leave nearly empty IV bags hanging for her to change. The rooms were disorganized -following me put her behind before she even started her work.

As an experienced nurse, I now leave things as organized as I can.

Because I was new and insecure, I took the advice as a personal attack instead of helpful information.

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

Well, I'm not a day shift nurse. But I've had a day shift nurse try to get me to do her (it's always her, isn't it?) job before I can leave.

When I was newer, I was afraid of upsetting the nurse, but now...sorry, sista...my time is up!

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Specializes in ER.
Have you ever had to give report to a really really mean nurse and they try to get the day nuses to do have their work or for them befor the day shift can leave,

I take exception to "getting the day nurses" to do their stuff. Frequently, there are labs/orders, etc that should have been done HOURS prior to my shift, and that, I take issue. If there are newer orders (within the last hour, and I'm being generous to take those) then I will get those done. I, now I'm in the ER, like VS to be up to date and if not normal, then the doc to have been made aware for whatever orders need ordered. I like the previous shift to have their charting up to date and let me know the plan. That's it. I'm pretty easy. I get done what I want done for the next on coming shift. I have my VS up to date, I know the plan of that patient, and I get done what needs to be done (within a reasonable time frame). If I have four new patients at 6:30 am and the next shift comes on at 7:30 am, I will address those patients that are my highest priority and let the others wait or get done what I can in that period of time before the next shift. There are nurses, though, that will not do things (I can't say it's on PURPOSE, but it sure seems that way) and wait for that next shift to come on. It's definitely a thorn in my side and I bark loudly when this occurs. To the charge, especially. I am respectful of my peers and leaving crap until the next shift, when you could have at least addressed some of it, or made an effort, is what really chaps my orifice. Having worked nights, days, and mids, know that night shift deals with FAR less resources. Less hours covered by phlebotomy, less staffing, etc. We are expected to do the same work with less resources, so keep that in the back of your mind. If you still can not have some respect for the night shift, then maybe you should work a few shifts to gain some perspective for how your sisters/brothers work.

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Well, I'm not a day shift nurse. But I've had a day shift nurse try to get me to do her (it's always her, isn't it?) job before I can leave.

When I was newer, I was afraid of upsetting the nurse, but now...sorry, sista...my time is up!

You know, its often not about the day nurse doing her job.

I sometimes get reports of pt's with 4am BP's of 75/?, with no retake, am BS of 38, ("Oh I gave them some juice, but did'nt recheck the blood sugar") and wounds that have been bleeding since 1200m (Just reinforced the dressing). No doctor gets called, I guess the theory is that since the pt. is still alive, the day nurse

will handle it.

Sorry, giving report does NOT excuse you; if I see something that has been obviously neglected, I make sure the night nurse stays and does her damn job!

The other thing I have learned is to make rounds on any pt. I deem tricky with the offgoing nurse. I want to SEE

the neuro and CHF pt's and compare my findings to the report they gave me.

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
You know, its often not about the day nurse doing her job.

I sometimes get reports of pt's with 4am BP's of 75/?, with no retake, am BS of 38, ("Oh I gave them some juice, but did'nt recheck the blood sugar") and wounds that have been bleeding since 1200m (Just reinforced the dressing). No doctor gets called, I guess the theory is that since the pt. is still alive, the day nurse

will handle it.

Sorry, giving report does NOT excuse you; if I see something that has been obviously neglected, I make sure the night nurse stays and does her damn job!

The other thing I have learned is to make rounds on any pt. I deem tricky with the offgoing nurse. I want to SEE

the neuro and CHF pt's and compare my findings to the report they gave me.

What does this have to do with what I said?

I think you read it wrong. I was merely stating that sometimes day shift nurses leave crap for us as well. I know there are plenty of night shift nurses who are neglectful...but it ain't just us....

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing, Orthopediacs.

I think it is not the shift but how organized the nurse is. Things go awry and hate to give report or take report from one of my coworker. You know going in that she is always behind. And I mean always. She is ****** off when you are busy all night and you leave anything for her to do, but does not think twice doing that to you. Mind you I work nights and there are not as much resources available then. So I just have learned that it is just her and I work to stay as organized as I can.

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