Shut up when I am giving you report...

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Report can be a tense time, with one shift going off and exhausted and the other shift has just woken up and adjusting to the waking world. Then, there is the fact that day and night shift people live in different worlds. Plus, people have different communication styles. I thought RN writer gave good advise.

I guess I consider report more of a collaborative conversation and I don't really mind interuptions. I've also been known to ask questions in report, or give or ask for imput. Other people want to give a speech and any question will totally unnerve them. I'm a poor speech giver and my reports go better when they are more like a conversation.

Just my :twocents:

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michigan, i just LOVE the title of your thread.

that alone, deserves 1000 thanks.

that said, we are ea unique in our reporting styles.

i have found that when i'm in a hurry to get out (and who isn't?) i just want to talk w/no interruptions.

yet with a psychological adjustment (aka dopeslap to self), i too, make it more conversational and collaborative.

you're doing fine, sweetie.

i never worry about you.

leslie

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Thanks everyone for the advice/input.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Pedi.

I agree with interleukin. I often ask questions when they come up because if I don't I'll probably forget. I probably would ask you if the JP bulb had been changed, not to condemn you for not doing it, just so that I can start mentally preparing my tasks for the day. That way its no surprise when I walk into the room, I can come straight into the room with it and get it done because chances are if the shift getting off was really hectic, mine will be too.

Now I don't think discussing your actions with her orientee was appropriate, but you can't win them all.

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The JP reminds me of my last day at my last job. I had 3 ICU patients for three consecutive nights, and was handing one off to an experienced, orienting ICU nurse. She asked me if I took a daily weight on the last day. I said "no, that is usually done at 8 am." She shook her head no and said "that is very important," scolding me. Of course, I realize that, but I have three times the patients she did and I gave her report every time for those last 3 days; plus, she had a preceptor if somehow she gets behind. Why can't she do it?

That was the last thing I heard before I left from that horrible excuse of a hospital. The last couple months 3 basically became our ratio on night, and 1-2 for days. Three patients with little to no help, especially when it is every nurse on the unit is just damage control. Maybe more experienced nurses can be real nurses under those circumstances but I can't.

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Specializes in Burn, CCU, CTICU, Trauma, SICU, MICU.

I always just say "Let me get through this, I am getting to all of that and when i'm done, we'll talk about it." and keep going. They usually just shut up. :)

I also start with a quick summary of the basic events of the day, basic switches of gtts etc... and then just do a systems report and if i'm on neuro and they are asking GI - they have to wait. I will get there. :)

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Specializes in Mixed Level-1 ICU.
The JP reminds me of my last day at my last job. I had 3 ICU patients for three consecutive nights, and was handing one off to an experienced, orienting ICU nurse. She asked me if I took a daily weight on the last day. I said "no, that is usually done at 8 am." She shook her head no and said "that is very important," scolding me. Of course, I realize that, but I have three times the patients she did and I gave her report every time for those last 3 days; plus, she had a preceptor if somehow she gets behind. Why can't she do it?

That was the last thing I heard before I left from that horrible excuse of a hospital. The last couple months 3 basically became our ratio on night, and 1-2 for days. Three patients with little to no help, especially when it is every nurse on the unit is just damage control. Maybe more experienced nurses can be real nurses under those circumstances but I can't.

Leaving that place was a very smart move. 3:1 ratio, night or day, in a modern ICU is a management move more concerned with budgets that true care and a catastrophe waiting to happen.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.
I agree with interleukin. I often ask questions when they come up because if I don't I'll probably forget. I probably would ask you if the JP bulb had been changed, not to condemn you for not doing it, just so that I can start mentally preparing my tasks for the day. That way its no surprise when I walk into the room, I can come straight into the room with it and get it done because chances are if the shift getting off was really hectic, mine will be too.

Now I don't think discussing your actions with her orientee was appropriate, but you can't win them all.

Actually the orientee was the one who asked me about the JP bulb. The orientee is also an experienced RN. To be honest, the questioning was coming from both the preceptor and the orientee. I was feeling a bit sensitive as I felt I worked my bum off all night and wanted to go home. What would be the purpose of changing the JP bulb? We never change them to a bigger bulb unless we are emptying over 100cc an hour. She asked me if I changed it because I had gotten 200cc of output from it but the 200cc was over the course of my 12 hour shift.

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To put a different spin on this one, how about "Listen when I am giving you report.."

Full disclosure, I am "just a student". As such, I realize that a lot of my findings are fluff, overemphasized or tangential. But please don't start glazing over and stop paying attention because sometimes, I find some very important stuff about the patient that I am trying to convey to you, and just because you have been here forever, doesn't mean that you know everything, and I know nothing. I'll work on my prioritization, and you work on your ADHD!!:D

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Specializes in ICU.

this bugs me too - especially when i'm interrupted with a question that's not even pertaining to the pt i'm giving report on; of course then i lose my train of thought.

michigan; i also think that it was inappropriate for her to be critical of you in front of an orientee - her clinical opinions could have been expressed to the orientee after report , and if she had a differing opinion with you; then that also could have been discussed in a professional manner. plus it 's just not nice to introduce somone to the floor that way.

hope she eases up a bit

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Hallelujah!! I am so glad it is not just me that thinks that interrupting "Did you do this?? Did you do that??", etc. is extremely rude and demeaning. Yes, there are definitely some things that need to be asked if they are not mentioned, but come on, every little thing??!! Especially when it's usually about stuff that's on the Kardex??!! There is a nurse on my floor that does this to the offgoing night shift, and I find it extremely irritating and abrasive. And I'm not even the one giving report!!

The only thing that gripes me worse than this is those that will interrupt to gossip about so-and-so nurse, or etc., things not related to that specific patient...

I guess that must be a standard thing....no matter where you are...

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I liked RNWriter's advice too (and others who thought along this same line).

My style is to give report and then answer questions. It does mess with my train of thought after being up since 0145, getting to work at 0245 and giving report at 1515 to have people continually ask questions. I'm tired. Let me talk. Then ask questions. Just jot what comes to your mind down and then ask.

I usually just stop - and wait - and that works.

The gossip drives me really crazy.:bugeyes:

steph

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