How to get a good report from previous shift?

[Nurse_Tricia]

I am having a bit of trouble lately getting a good report from the 7-3 nurse. She is just as new as I am, only nursing since March, and there are days when she gives report and then I find out all these pertinent pieces of info along the way. Ex. got report, we actually walked up the hallway to each room. She states so and so is good, nothing new. Well, when I went to give so and so his meds, I couldn't find him. He doesn't smoke, he's not outside, I was starting to panic although he isn't a elopement risk. Then one of the cna's who was working a double says ,"oh yeah, he went to the VA today for dr. visit and has't come back." Oh, might have been nice to know. and every day there has been some important piece of info I have missed. Some days there is nothing written on report paper and it's "Everyone is good" come to find out one started on ABT for UTI, etc. Anyone have any suggestions on how to go about this?

[caliotter3]

Speak with the individual in a non-threatening way, then give her a reasonable chance to improve with her reporting. If there is no effort, then approach your supervisor.

[flashpoint]

I always seem to get things like, "We're still putting that cream on that area" and the day shift nurse seems annoyed when I ask "What cream and what area." We have a lot of staff that are good friends outside of work and it is very apparent that they discuss work a lot. I often get a better report from the CNA who had lunch with the nurse the day before.

When I give report, I try to mention things that have happened over the past few days rather than just my shift. I don't remember everything that happened the day before, so when I get report, it helps me to be reminded about it. My report is usually longer than the other nurses, but I give a lot more detail...I sometimes worry about how pertinent it is, but I would much rather tell them something twice than not at all.