Stop Interrupting

[Leanneo]

Have you ever been interrupted with another question when trying to answer the initial question? Or been interrupted while explaining something or telling somebody why something is happening but keep getting interrupted? How can you possible keep your patience when this happens? Well, I am that person. I can't wait for an entire answer to be given before I'm asking another question. Here's you chance to share your frustrations. Please tell me how this makes you feel. As nI study effective communication I know that I 'm a terrible listener, its my ugly little secret, my skeleton in the closet. I've tried so many things to stop interrupting, all unsuccessful. I'm worried no one will appreciate or value my contributions as a team member because I always interrupt.

[ces824]

Well ask yourself, why do you feel the need to interrupt?

[direw0lf, BSN]

Well... if you need help to stop interrupting, think of it this way: you will not be a very popular student or nurse on the unit or with your instructor or patients if you keep interrupting during your patient interview!

[ScrappytheCoco]

I'm very scatterbrained and I used to feel like if I didn't ask while I was thinking about it if wouldn't remember. Keeping a notepad handy and asking the questions you think of at a more appropriate time in the conversation helps a lot.

[kaylee.]

There are a few nurses who do this and it is my # 1 pet peeve! (No offense!) its a good sign that you recognize this pattern and have sought advice! Kudos!

It can be very distracting to have to stop every 2 sec to conjure up answers to every little detail. This results in a jumbled report...

If its an anxious habit, where you are worried you will miss info, make sure you have a structured sheet where u put data, so at the end or when the person pauses, u can look it over and see if anything was missed.

Put a little dot next to things u have follow up questions about. Then let the question go and continue to listen to report.

Of course there are things that may warrant immediate clarifications.

On that note its also annoying when the nurse is giving you report so fast that they dont let u clarify or even write anything down.

Its a give and take that benefits from courteous behavior on both ends.