Nurse refuses to give or recieve shift report

[dkweaver]

I am a new RN and where I work there are a couple of nurses on night shift who have refused to take shift report from me. One has her friend come and get report for her. She says its because of my perfume (which I don't wear). This was even confirmed by the nurse manager. They (these two nurses) when giving shift report will only say "nothing has changed"," they are still breathing" "I gave them their pain and nausea meds and they were fine"

I mean we have some very critically ill patients with over half on vents.

The nurse manager knows as she asked me to let her know if it happened again which I did

What would other nurses do in this situation ?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I would attempt to unearth the real reason as to why the offgoing nurse does not want to give you what you deserve: a real face-to-face report.

It is imperative for you to know what is going on with each of your patients, and a general statement such as "everyone's breathing" will not make the cut. The offgoing nurse needs to stop playing games, shove her personal feelings aside, and bestow upon you a decent change-of-shift report. It's her job.

[Batman24]

Go back to the nurse manager if this is continuing. Let her know you aren't comfortable not getting a proper report and it puts the patients, your license, and the hospital at risk if imperative info isn't passed on. Put it in writing if need be. The manager needs to end this insanity now. If the nurse isn't going to do her job she needs to be fired.

[juliedhl]

Don't put up with it...some nurses are very threatened by new nurses coming into the field. I have been the new girl on the block before and I felt uncomfortable in that situation. I always did my job to the best of my ability watching the way things got done and inconspicuously asking the know-it-alls or "old timers" questions that I already knew the answer to, but wanted to give them the chance to teach me. I think it is a superiority thing. Don't let them know how ridiculously childish they are being. Now...to the real point. They are threatening the patients care by not giving an adequate report to the oncoming, and in your case, new nurse. Perhaps you could put it just like that to them.. Look, you may not like me but I am new, I'm taking over the care of your patients and I need a thorough report. Another idea might be to get your nurse manager to sit in report with you for a couple of times. Either way, it is not acceptable. The key to good nursing care is communication. I work in a pediatric office with another nurse and she and I compliment each other. We both know how the other operates and that gives our patients better care. I hope this works out for you.

[Riseupandnurse]

I'm sure JCAHO would be extremely interested in this situation, and the fact that your manager is allowing it to continue. I've had nurses say, "Oh, I had him yesterday. I don't need to hear anything" but I tell them anyway. Have to; it's your license.

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

It is a form of horizontal violence/mobbing. You have a right to full and appropriate report.

[CASTLEGATES]

Take notes on what has changed compared with what was not said "nothing has changed."

Document everything (times dates, everything) and put that in the chart when appropriate like "report not given" or "report change of shift refused" then "received patient A&Ox3, blah blah"

Document you reported it to your manager (when where what time) then call the BON. I'd hate to go that way and rarely believe in it but in this case, patients are at risk and this catty crap behavior has to end. You've gone up your chain of command and it continues; call the BON and be done with it.

I'd never tolerate that even from a so called "pet" :redpinkhe

[Blackheartednurse]

Wow what a crazy nurses you work with!!!

[CASTLEGATES]

It is a form of horizontal violence/mobbing. You have a right to full and appropriate report.

Horizontal violence is rape! Horizontal mobbing is....no comment

[scg08rn]

It's not only your license at stake but also theirs. They are taking responsibility of these patients, they need to know what is going on! I have encountered similar nurses who don't want a "full detailed report" I do document everything that occurs during the shift that is out of the ordinary or something that needs to be monitored in the 24hr report book (i work in subacute rehab) or i tell the nursing supervisor that something is going on for suchandsuch patient and a follow-up is needed.

[vivacious1healer]

I believe it's called lateral violence in nursing:

"Lateral violence in nursing can consist of a variety of

behaviors; from unintentional, thoughtless acts to purposeful,

intentional, destructive acts meant to harm, intimidate or

humiliate another group or individual(s). Lateral violence

can range from random instances to a pattern of repeated

behaviors. Collectively, these behaviors have the effect of

creating an environment of hostility. Any time there exists

a ‘we versus they’ attitude, or an imbalance of power, condi-

tions are ‘prime’ for lateral violence to occur.

In its extreme form, lateral violence can manifest itself as

bullying. Bullying, as defi ned by Barbara Coloroso (2003), is

“a conscious, willful, and deliberate, hostile activity intended

to harm, induce fear through threat of further aggression, and

create terror” (p.13). Regardless of how bullying masquerades

itself, three elements will always be present. These include

an imbalance of power, an intent to harm, and the threat of

further aggression. When bullying is left unchecked, a fourth

element comes into play; terror in, or intimidation of the

target.

also commonly experience the backlash of lateral violence."

A new page has been added to the MNA website as a

resource for those wishing to learn more about lateral vio-

lence. It can be accessed at http://www.minurses.org

[Crux1024]

Horizontal violence is rape! Horizontal mobbing is....no comment

I think they meant LATERAL violence....

..but LMAO anyways.