Okay, so I'm having trouble writing all the details and absorbing the information during the change-of-shift report. The nurses speaks TOO FAST like they assume I know the patient already. I always rush to write everything and miss details.
I'm considering resolving this issue by taping my specific patient's report on the "voice recorder" function on my Android smartphone. I would then plug in my earphones and play it back in case I think I miss something. Since nurses seem to somehow take 2-5 minutes on one report for a patient I think I will be alright listening it back with my voice recorder without wasting too much time.
Do you think this is an okay resolve for my problem? Am I breaking any HIPAA rules? I will definitely trash the voice recording after the clinical.
I need some advice on this. I don't know what else to do because I'm having trouble writing everything down while listening to what they are saying. And, it could be really disorganized the way some of them give report.
Learning how to give and receive report is a big skill that takes time. Ask the nurse you're shadowing for tips, and if they have their own brain sheet, ask if they'll give you a copy. I got a few from different nurses, and took them home and made my own version by the end. It really helped! You find what works for you, and it DOES take time. It's a lot of info all coming at you at once, but with repetition, you'll get it. :)
You just have to practice at going with the flow during report. Critical thinking requires you to deem what crucial info you need to know about the pt and active listening helps you get all that. Your brain sheet should already be pre-filled out with sections to keep you cognizant of what it is that you're missing (i.e. if you seem to always miss blood glucose readings, put "*BG*:" on your brain sheet).
OP, I feel your pain. If can get overwhelming, and as a student, not only does every individual detail feel crucial, but what probably is every day common "speak" for the nurse giving report is still very new for you.
Do the nurses at your facility use a report/brain sheet? If they do, ask if you can get a copy. If they don't, maybe make your own or comb allnurses and the interwebs for one. I actually just made my own last night in addition to a shift organizer (a blank table with even hours written in the top row and space for room numbers in the left column).
If you use the same sheet every time, you'll get quicker at filling it out with details. As you hear the terminology over and over again, you'll get faster at writing it and maybe find yourself condensing into acronyms. It's also completely okay to ask the nurse giving report to slow down or repeat things. As long as you're making an effort to keep up and you're not asking for every individual word to be repeated, they won't fault you for needing to pause for s second. It happens!
All that said - ITS ALL IN THE COMPUTER. At least, it sure as heck better be because if it's not charted, it doesn't exist and didn't happen.
Reiterated what everyone else said. I ALWAYS ask if reporting nurse is,going too fast or speaking too softly. What also helps is where I precept nurses are required to type out hand-off communication in the computer on their patients as well as give report
...you're right I have no tapes in my phone...
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psu_213, BSN, RN
3,878 Posts
Even though I liked the post…this is totally me
Then again, I realize this is a dumb question.
When in doubt, the extension for any department is always 0.