more issues with report

I recently changed jobs and have found a wonderful place to work (I think, I hope). Always remember these bullies are not about you, it is their problem. Even in my new place there are a couple of nurses who don't want to take report. One told me the other day that report shouldn't take more than 30 seconds. I no longer take this personally. I give a very short report and chart that I gave report. Then its on the next nurse. Hopefully they look through the chart and find out about the patient. I know your problem is the opposite from mine. If I was you I would print off a standard SBAR sheet and read report from it. The SBAR report sheet is currently considered the gold standard for report so if you have that filled out you have met requirements and can tell the oncoming nurse that you believe you have covered what is needed and she will need to research the chart for further information.

Wow, she's bold to ask you to back her up. It probably wasn't easy to NOT agree with her right away lest she lay into you. In my previous hospital job, we had a two or three nurses who seemed to regard getting report as a competitive sports event, a TV game show for points, or something. We had EPIC and access to all patient records from ER or other floors, yet certain nurses DEMANDED verbal information that was already repetitive in the chart, and would become upset when these expectations weren't met.

I personally think it's anxiety, a lack of self-confidence in the nurse who is receiving report. What else could it be? It's not that they are better clinicians or more thorough themselves because of it. And it feels better to get ANGRY than to feel afraid you are going to screw something up, so there you go. There's nothing like a good offense when you need a good defense. If I am angry and demanding when I get report from you, then YOU are the one that's off balance, not me, the receiving nurse who knows diddly squat about the new patient.

You are too young to remember the Brady Bunch . . . hmm, but there was an episode where either Jan or Marsha had to make a public speech, and she'd get up there and see the audience and freeze up. Her solution was to imagine everyone in the audience in their underwear. It made her laugh and relax. For angry report demanders, remember this behavior is due to his or her lack of self-confidence, they are badly behaved -- no excuses for that, but still -- and you do not have to accept their 'gift' of offensiveness :) . What I've done (at least a hundred times) is respond as if they were cheerfully asking me questions, every single time. By doing this from the git go, it disarms them. They relax, like it's contagious or something. And refusing to respond with a tone of frustration is just enough of a disconnect that it's hard for them to escalate with a cheerful, matter-of-fact person on the other end.

IOW, 'ignore' the nastiness, pretend you haven't noticed, even in person, and give your sbar report and thank them and off you go. I've noticed some nurses seemed a bit relieved, like they really didn't WANT to have a spat, but they just got crazy when they were anxious. Some really do want a fight . . . so don't give it to them :)

I usually look them in the eye and say, "if you have any questions, after I am finished, I will gladly answer to the best of my ability." That seems to stop the behavior.

Gooselady- I am printing off this response- and all 4 of the kind responses, actually- but will read this before my next shift! You are mature and wise, and 100% spot on!

And I am not too young to remember the Brady Bunch...I remember wanting to be Marcia Brady, but had wavy hair in the '70s. :)