How to deal with nurses who don't listen during handoff?

[guest1068752]

I am a newish nurse on an ICU floor that's finding it difficult to give report to a few particular nurses that do not seem to listen during report. These nurses will either space out, look behind my head during report, or look around and have me repeat what I had just said. There are some that seem disinterested in what I have to say about the patient and kind of just don't care.

How do you deal with nurses that are like that?

I want to be able to give report without thinking the incoming RN is going to be uninterested or not listen to important things I have to relay. I don't know if it's a personality type or maybe they think that I'm new so they don't have to hear what I say, but most people have been respectful so far. It's just been a few here and there. 

[Davey Do]

The proverbial "You can lead a horse to water..." comes to mind, moojoo.

If I believed the oncoming nurse was distracted and was not listening to something that I believed was important, I just got a little obnoxious:

"Hey! I'm telling you something important here!"

I was not always well liked, but slept well knowing that which was important was heard.

 

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Can you tape it?

[Emergent, RN]

A squirt from a spray bottle works!

[Sour Lemon]

5 hours ago, moojoo said:

I am a newish nurse on an ICU floor that's finding it difficult to give report to a few particular nurses that do not seem to listen during report. These nurses will either space out, look behind my head during report, or look around and have me repeat what I had just said. There are some that seem disinterested in what I have to say about the patient and kind of just don't care. How do you deal with nurses that are like that? I want to be able to give report without thinking the incoming RN is going to be uninterested or not listen to important things I have to relay. I don't know if it's a personality type or maybe they think that I'm new so they don't have to hear what I say, but most people have been respectful so far. It's just been a few here and there. 

People have different styles of report and different levels of alertness when they're coming on shift. I am a fan of brevity, myself. I want to know critical information, and the big picture, but not much else. I'll review the fine details and assess the patient, myself.

That being said, I do occasionally give report to a nurse who doesn't listen at all, then interrupts me to ask questions about things I've already addressed. I deal with those people by cheerfully telling them, "Let me finish, then you ask alllll the questions you want." This direction is often accompanied by "the look".

It usually doesn't work, to be honest. It lightens the mood and keeps me from punching someone, though.

[caliotter3]

Stop talking. Look at them with a quizzical look and wait for them to respond.

[Davey Do]

On 1/21/2021 at 3:09 PM, Emergent said:

A squirt from a spray bottle works!

                                  Thanks, Emergent!

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I just stop talking and say "do you want to know anything or are we all set?" Once the other nurse said she was fine, and then I left. No skin off my nose if they want to look everything up. The other times they usually start paying attention or they ask specific questions. Don't worry about it, if you're offering to give them information, if they don't want it be happy you can finish your shift early!

[Daisy4RN]

I think first you should learn how to read the room. If you are new it might take a little time but learn how different nurses like to receive report (short, sweet and to the point, or more and what info). Start there, might also save you some time too. If that doesn't work use those tactics described by others. I worked with one nurse that no matter what I said she would always make me repeat everything and want way more info than I was willing to dole out after a long 12hr shift. I flat out told her she can search through notes if she wants to but I don't have time and I also told her if she wasnt going to listen to the pertinent info I was trying to give I was going to start writing her report, she still didn't listen so written report she got (although probably not a good thing to do if you are new, unless they prefer). If it is only a few hopefully it will work itself out!

[Daisy4RN]

Maybe some of that for patients and family too, like "calm" or "tranquil" spray

[Davey Do]

On 1/21/2021 at 8:16 PM, Daisy4RN said:

Maybe some of that for patients and family too, like "calm" or "tranquil" spray

Well, all right, Daisy!

[carti, BSN, RN]

how are your reports do you think? I try to make mine pretty simple and to the point by going down body system by body system. As a night shifter, I will update them of any overnight events as well as any morning procedures scheduled.

like others have said, there are two types of nurses: those that only want critical information ( my fav because the reports only last 30 seconds LOL) & those who want every tiny detail like what horoscope sign is the patient.............you also have to keep in mind that some nurses probably have had the patient before so they may know alot already so maybe thats why they seem disintersted (still no excuse). Either way, just tell your report and go. It's their fault