How to deal with coworker during report?

[BlearnRN]

Why is it that when I give report to this one nurse it seems like I have to spoon feed it to her? She actually wants me to tell her when her meds are due on her shift!!! If I say I don't look ahead past my shift she tells me "YOU should". Or if i tell her I didn't change a dressing on a IJ because I told to pt I would after dialysis and the dialysis is still going on during report...she goes " It only takes a few minutes..you should have done it before". She seems to only focus on things that I have not gotten done...or things like her med times... One time she got all bent out of shape because I didn't document an IV on the computer... I told her I didn't document it because I had a blood exposure and had to go down to the ER... But it was like she didn't even care... I heard the next day that she was complaining about me not documenting the IV and the nurse she reported to did not even know I had an exposure...... What should I do?:angryfireI am about to completely fire off one at her, but I don't want to!!!

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

There are lots of ways to handle this.

1- Write her basic report down and hand it to her and tell her that if she can read that, she can read her MAR and see for herself when her meds are due. This is assuming you have the time, of course.

2- When she interrupts you, stop, take a breath, continue on with your report. You are required to give it, you can not force the person to listen.

3- If it's always the same particular things that she wants done, maybe you could surprise her sometime by having that category of stuff done. Assuming your shift doesn't go to heck in a handbasket, of course.

4- Smile. While you're refusing to give excuses, while you're giving report as though nothing at all is wrong, smile. It will annoy the crap out of people who can't be happy, and on the odd chance that the person you're reporting off to can be made happy, it might have good side effects as well.

[Larry77, RN]

Hmm...I think she used to work at my hospital when I worked on surgical...lol...there is always going to be nurses like this just do your job and give your report.

If she interrupts you tell her that you would like to give your report then if she has any questions afterwards you would be happy to answer them.

[brissie]

I would just give report in a calm manner and totally ignore the inane questions. Although I would have gone back and documented the IV if I had started it.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Remain calm, slightly lean into her physical space, maintain direct eye contact, and be deadly silent whenever she interrupts you. Silence is uncomfortable for some people, and most sane people will get the idea that you will not tolerate being interrupted or whined at while attempting to give report.

Whatever you do, do not allow her to continue to bother you during report. She'll only escalate the situation by becoming even more annoying and argumentative. Experienced nurses know exactly who to pick on.

For example, a nurse was angry that she was being floated to another floor. She proceeded to walk to the other unit and receive report from the 2 offgoing nurses. One of these nurses has a reputation for being a passive softie, so the floater screamed, cursed, threw things, and asked impossible questions. The other nurse had a reputation for not tolerating bad behavior, so the floater calmly accepted report from her.

If you're perceived as a softie, you'll be treated like a soggy soft-serve ice cream cone: tossed around, eaten, and spit out into the wastebasket. If you're perceived as someone who is not a pushover, you won't be pushed over during report.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Q: When is that med due again?

A: I have no idea. continue on....

Q: Why not? You should!

A: Why on earth should I know when you are supposed to give your meds? She's desatting really quickly when the O2 is off....

Good luck. I am working with a preceptor who always assumes the worst and criticizes and finds fault when you do precisely what she says. I say, "Oh, I'm sorry" and continue on. Drives her nuts because she can't get to me anymore. She used to but I decided, seriously, that she wouldn't drive me nuts anymore.

Everyone on the ward knows what she's about. And they know your pest, too.

[MzMouse]

She sounds exactly like someone I used to work with. People like that can really try your patience.

In my opinion, they fall into two categories; either control freaks or unsure of themselves and want the rest of us to explain their jobs to them.

My former co-worker was a little of both. It helped to just not get caught up in the interruptions and get through report. The person needs to know you will not be putting up with it.

[ICRN2008, BSN, RN]

There is a new grad at my work who acts like this as well. She is very focused on what every one of her coworkers is doing (or not doing). She complains constantly about day shift and the things that they missed. She will learn quickly that this kind of behavior will come back around to her some day and it won't be fun!

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

I have always figured if people have enough time to nitpick on what others are doing or not doing they dont have enough to do themselves. I routinely find little things throughout the shift to get someone off their backside and out on the hall again. I figure if im up working they need to be too. I dont care if its sending them in to turn someone,, asking them to go check someone's sats, temp, bp, whatever. Ill find something for them to do. It keeps them from letting me see them sitting around and usually keeps their mouths shut too because they know if i see it ill give them something to concentrate on.

When she asks you when a med is due, try telling her "i dont know right now, but make sure you get a blood pressure before you give it", or make sure you get a temp before you give it. Add a couple steps to her job, shell soon get the hint and shut up.

[Sabby_NC]

Good heavens I worked with her in Tasmania.

Always interrupted me to know when the next medication was due. I kept my voice at an even tone, continued on with my report.

This happened several times until she realized I was not going to inform her when her medications etc were due.

Ummmm that is why we have everything they need to know on the charts at the FOOT of the bed LOL

Just chill continue with the report and ensure you have documented all that you should. :)

[indigo girl]

Too bad that you can not tape the report, then all you would have to do is count

narcs with her.

[angel4gramma]

I have met several nurses that want so many little things in report. I try and tell them its 24 hour care. If I wasnt able to finish things thats why the next shift comes to relieve us. But they also tend to complain to the manager and my response one time ended in my suspention for 2 days. I asked her if she was actually going in to assess the pt or charting what I told her. So please be careful in your response.