LTC-I want report and count at beginning of my shift

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Nov 14, 2012

"Hey, I'm new here and need all the time I can get. Can you help me out by getting report started on time". (Said with geniune smile on face)

With any luck and enough days of repetition they will just develop the habit of starting on time.

MichelleRN34, ADN, RN · Nov 14, 2012

I am new at this new LTC. When I arrive, the nurses from the other shift don't want to give report and count narcotics. They are busy increasing their "socialization skills" with the other nurses and staff instead. I am glad that people are friendly, but I don't have time to chit chat. I need to get started with my shift as soon as I arrive. Any suggestions on what to say?

With out reporting and counting they can legally leave?

MichelleRN34, ADN, RN · Nov 14, 2012

With out reporting and counting they can legally leave?

I think I mis read the OP

Blackcat99 · Nov 14, 2012

Thanks Nascar nurse. I will start saying that every day.Sounds great. The hard part will be trying to keep a genuine smile on my face when I say it. MichelleRN34, no they cannot legally leave. The nurses are just saying that they want to chart first before they give report and count narcotics. They need to count first, give report and then go back to their charting/socialization.

MichelleRN34, ADN, RN · Nov 14, 2012

i agree..i would have issue with this also...that puts you behind in he morning.

MzMouse · Nov 14, 2012

I used to have the same issues when I worked LTC and it always surprised me. When my shift was over I was more than happy to give report, count narcs and get the heck out of there! :yes:

LTCNS, LPN · Nov 15, 2012

"If you would like to stay and chat I will be more than happy to let you keep the keys and take my shift."

SleeepyRN · Nov 15, 2012

In my facility, the oncoming nurses are not even allowed to care for residents until we have received report. Which makes sense. Why should I begin care on a resident if I have not received report. Conditions change, even in ltc. Dont care for a resident until you have report on your residents. I would, in your shoes, say "Im eager to get to work and need report to do so, so tell me whats going on with our residents and I can get started. As far as the narc count, BRING THAT TO YOUR DON or ADON. You obviously dont want to be held resposible for narcs missing. State and administration when they do their rounds dont care for "excuses" like "well, so and so didnt count narcs with me. If anything is off, its YOUR SHIFT, its YOUR license.

SleeepyRN · Nov 15, 2012

In my facility, the oncoming nurses are not even allowed to care for residents until we have received report. Which makes sense. Why should I begin care on a resident if I have not received report. Conditions change, even in ltc. Dont care for a resident until you have report on your residents. I would, in your shoes, say "Im eager to get to work and need report to do so, so tell me whats going on with our residents and I can get started. As far as the narc count, BRING THAT TO YOUR DON or ADON. You obviously dont want to be held resposible for narcs missing. State and administration when they do their rounds dont care for "excuses" like "well, so and so didnt count narcs with me. If anything is off, its YOUR SHIFT, its YOUR license.

NsugaBuga · Nov 16, 2012

I would think that it would be nice to get report and count over with so you can be free to do whatever else you want or need to do. Thats ridiculous. I'd get the DON since you cant touch the count until count. I'd also get the DON and start asking questions about previous shift as if I didnt get report.... thats when they'll ask you if you even got report and why not... If it happens enough times, something would get done.

maddock26 · Nov 16, 2012

I understand what you're saying. When I was new I was always worried about maintaining compliance. I was the only nurse for 46 people. I clocked in at 1430 and had things to do before the 1600 med pass which I had to start at exactly 1500 to be done within time. So that leaves 30 minutes to make the BM list, do the daily assignments for the aids, stock the cart (because heaven forbid it already be done), and wait for the offgoing nurse to give a PROPER report/count. Yeah right. I will not accept "everyone's ok" as report either, there is always somthing to report. Our time is so strictly regimented that I don't have time to waste waiting for someone to finish their private conversation. You get a 10 minute grace period into my shift to get things together, after that you start messing up my times. I have 120 minutes to pass meds to 46 people! With the addition of fingersticks, B/P's, apicals, and answering the phone that never stops ringing I gotta go. Lagging it talking, with the exception of emergency situations, gets that offgoing nurse working a double and me going to the DON. Besides there's always something to be done like careplans, PPD's, assessments, dressing changes, etc. Busy hands make light work.