Giving report

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We've been having some conflict about this at work lately. I wholeheartedly believe that I can not give the keys over to the next nurse without giving report. For me this means, at a minimum, running through the list of who is still on the floor and updating on the 5-10 who are doing really poorly. This takes, maybe 10 minutes, maybe 15? We have half an hour to give report, count and check the MAR. One of the oncoming nurses screamed at me for "wasting her time" because I ran through the entire list of who is present on the floor. She is super angry about this and brings it up at all the staff meetings. Am I terribly out of line? I just cannot imagine accepting the keys without knowing who is on the floor and I am terrified that I'll skip something if I don't run down the list. She refused to write anything down from report and with as angry as she is about this, I'm certain she is not listening to anything and I'm concerned about the resident's care.

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Specializes in Med/Surg & Rehab.

I agree with you 100%. You are not out of line, SHE is out of line. And it's people who rush that like that are a serious med error waiting to happen. Keep doing what you are doing. If it was an issue, someone would have come to you from management and said something. They must all be aware of this considering she brings it up at the meetings. It sounds to me that if she is that rushed with you, she is probably just as rushed in her med passes and patient care. Perhaps it's time for her to take a break from nursing, or get a desk job!

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

It's not a report issue. At least that's what I get out of "screaming", "super angry", etc. It sounds to me like there are some other issues at play.

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Yes, this nurse does have some fairly serious anger issues, so I try really hard to not push her buttons, but this is just not something I feel I can compromise on. Generally, I try to go with the flow and respect that people have different styles, but I'm tired of being berated in front of the aides and all our peers and gossiped about because I believe report should last more than two minutes. With the intense rage directed at this issue, I was really starting to doubt myself. After all, I'm pretty new, so maybe I am doing it all wrong. But the report I receive takes about twenty minutes, and I the full report I *want* to give would take about 15 minutes. Instead I do a quicker report that lasts about ten minutes. She becomes livid with rage and shakes the instant I start. Last night I thought she might take a swing at me. Who would have thought I spend more time catering to the psych issues of fellow nurses than those we care for? :lol2:

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Even in LTC, things change daily. At the very least, we go down the list and say the residents name and "no change" if there is nothing to report on.

I would keep doing what you are doing, if she chooses to not listen or write it down..that's her problem.

Wow...she does have some issues. I wouldn't provoke her at all.

I would then tell her..okay...no changes in the census and then just give her the highlights on the changes.

We have a LTC hall with some long term nurses that have worked there and know the ins and outs. They barely give a report unless it something different or issues that need to be addressed.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.
Yes, this nurse does have some fairly serious anger issues, so I try really hard to not push her buttons, but this is just not something I feel I can compromise on. Generally, I try to go with the flow and respect that people have different styles, but I'm tired of being berated in front of the aides and all our peers and gossiped about because I believe report should last more than two minutes. With the intense rage directed at this issue, I was really starting to doubt myself. After all, I'm pretty new, so maybe I am doing it all wrong. But the report I receive takes about twenty minutes, and I the full report I *want* to give would take about 15 minutes. Instead I do a quicker report that lasts about ten minutes. She becomes livid with rage and shakes the instant I start. Last night I thought she might take a swing at me. Who would have thought I spend more time catering to the psych issues of fellow nurses than those we care for? :lol2:

I certainly agree with you on the report. Especially in a situation like this, I'd make sure I'd cover everything in report. Would you feel comfortable witht a matter of fact approach? Something like, "I understand you don't favor my reports, but report is to ensure continuity of care and that's what I intend to do." If she''l let you get that far,

perhaps there's room for a calm discussion. If not, I'd explain that screaming will only contribute to wasting time.

Try not to sound like you're attacking her. As in, "inappropriate behavior does not contribute to efficiency" as opposed to, "your behavior is inappropriate".

I guess you got yourself another patient.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

I always say each pts name and "no change" or "stable" or whatever is going on w/ them. And there is usually something going on w/ 3 or 4 (they are hospice pts). We only have a census of 15 and half are mine or that's 7 pts and report takes me 5 to 10 mins.

I wouldn't change my style or report if I were you. Like you said, you may miss something and then there would be h@ll to pay.

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