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
We have computerized records, so our report is spent in part looking at the previous shifts charting and partly verbal. If I have questions about what I looked up on the computer I write them down to ask during the verbal interaction. I will never accept "They're the same" from an off going shift. I want to know these essential things: patient, plan, purpose, problems, and precautions before I accept a patient into my care.
Any nurse who refuses to give or get report should not (in my opinion) be a nurse. It is vital to what we do and cannot be ignored. On my unit it is grounds for dismissal if report is not done. this includes a "walking round"where the nurses go into the pts rooms to introduce ourselves, check IV's, drips, and status of the patient. Both nurses must be present and confirm drips, IV's etc. I always make notes like "Assumed care at ______ time and pt is yadah yadah"
If your other nurses are not adhering to report, they need to be reported as far up the chain of command as necessary to get the desired result. Remember it's your liscence also!
Specializes in acute rehab, med surg, LTC, peds, home c.
It really is their problem if they dont get report from you. Whatever happens on their watch they are liable for. However, this does not do the patient any good. They sound really childish and I am sorry you have to put up with such nonsense. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone would just act like an adult?
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I would chart it!!! "Change of shift report attempted, Nurse X refused to receive report on patient" When I end my shift I write "reported off to nurse X or reported off to NOC/DAY nurse" Cover your ass...is something goes wrong the nurse can say "well she (you) never told me about it...had she told me the patient would have not...or I would have been able to forsee... ect ect.
I am not too sure if I would chart that just yet...at least follow the proper steps first with nurse managers, etc... I say this because at least, you also wish to chart who was made aware. In addition, it can be looked upon as 'negative charting', which does not support the facility in a court situation.
I guess that I am trying to figure out what does the OP's perfume have to do with giving an efficient report?
Some cologne/ perfume makes me sick to my stomach. Not that it smells bad, just overwhelming. My Mom would literally become ill....
I've never been around one so bad that I couldn't give report... I may have to put my hand over my mouth and nose for a couple of breaths, but nothing so severe that I had to send someone else to do my job.
I agree with what others have said. Report the circumstance each time by calling your manager if no report is received or given.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Some cologne/ perfume makes me sick to my stomach. Not that it smells bad, just overwhelming. My Mom would literally become ill....
I've never been around one so bad that I couldn't give report... I may have to put my hand over my mouth and nose for a couple of breaths, but nothing so severe that I had to send someone else to do my job.
I agree with what others have said. Report the circumstance each time by calling your manager if no report is received or given.
Good luck!
I know that we have some folks that really put the sickening perfume on, but unless the OP smells like she literally emerged from a used toilet, I could tolerate a report from her to ensure patient safety and my license. I say report her, also. Make sure dates are documented.:angryfire
diane227, LPN, RN
1,941 Posts
AND put everything IN WRITING AND KEEP A COPY.