The more I think about a comment that my coworker made to me, the more ticked I get!!

Wendy_RN · Apr 7, 2008

I just love those snide, backstabbing comments! A much better way for her to handle the situation would have been to explain to you what info she is looking for in report. It takes a while to learn what info is relevant. Even then, some nurses will keep asking questions. There is nothing wrong with that either as they are just trying to see the big picture. It was inappropriate for the nurse to address this issue with you by demeaning another nurse.

JENNLEE · Apr 7, 2008

you could ask her what kind of info is she looking for? specifics? maybe you could keep that in mind before your next report to her? i agree that she was directing that towards you and how rude of her to do that. i would be angry as well. you could always talk to her aside and let her know how you felt about that comment that she made. you may feel uncomfortable doing that but stand up for yourself. don't let people belittle you. aside from your status as a nurse, you are a human being. a person with feelings too.

lvnandmomx3 · Apr 7, 2008

IMO your "bad report" is in actuality her laziness to pick the chart up and read information for herself. Reports are not meant to be a full H&P it is a means to communicate relavent and pertinent info from one shift to another.You do not have enough time to cover evrything in a 30 min report on 5-6(sometimes more pt's).Again IMO........

Crocuta, RN · Apr 7, 2008

"Can I tell you something, and please don't repeat it." I told her yes....
"I figured out why you give me bad reports. It's b/c YOU get your reports from Amy S. I felt so bad last week after I realized that. Amy S never gives good reports, she flies by the seat of her pants. So be aware of that. I wish there was something that I could do to get it across to her"

Personally, my style is to say: "Thank you for that information. I'll let Amy know that you feel that way and maybe together we can figure out a way to get you a better report."

And anytime someone starts out a conversation with "please don't tell so-and-so I said this..." I like to cut them off and say: "I can't make that promise - if you tell me something, I'm going to go to them and verify it, so if you don't want me to share it with them, you'd better not tell me."

It works for me - your mileage may vary.

3sodapop · Apr 7, 2008

And anytime someone starts out a conversation with "please don't tell so-and-so I said this..." I like to cut them off and say: "I can't make that promise - if you tell me something, I'm going to go to them and verify it, so if you don't want me to share it with them, you'd better not tell me."
It works for me - your mileage may vary.

That is AWESOME! I can't wait to use it.:yelclap:

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Apr 7, 2008

I would not agree to "not repeat" what this nurse said only because when she made that remark I would ask her "is it patient related or gossip? I do not have time for gossip." I would not repeat her remark to the other nurse either. Seems to me this nurse wants to get a little drama going on the unit. For your own sake, watch this nurse carefully, you will pick up clues as to how she gets along with other nurses soon. Good luck.

CareBayer · Apr 7, 2008

There is a nurse that I work with who I HATE giving report to. She shows up and expects me to give her ALL of the info about a patient. I go early so that I can write down the names, doctors, allergies, diet, activities, etc., etc., and she is too lazy to do the same. She then berates (sp?) me if I don't have a piece of information that she thinks that she needs (I have begun telling her to look in the chart...in a nice and smug way.)

I feel your pain......don't let it keep you down. Ask at the end of the report if she has any questions about the patient you are reporting on. If she has no questions.....assume that your report is complete!!

squeakykitty · Apr 7, 2008

Personally, my style is to say: "Thank you for that information. I'll let Amy know that you feel that way and maybe together we can figure out a way to get you a better report."

That is a good idea. Let us know what happens when you do. What the other nurse did makes me wonder if she does that to everyone. I'd be careful around her.

RN1982 · Apr 7, 2008

There was a nurse that I hated giving report to. She was an older nurse and made her 20+ years of experience and nursing expertise known to everyone.

One morning, I had moved a patient from bed 11 to bed 1. I changed the name in the telemetry monitor but not on the flowsheet and MAR. She came in and immediately started complaining about the labels on flowsheet and MAR not being changed.

I said, "I thought in nursing school that we were told that we are suppose to look at patient identifiers like Id numbers and their name before giving meds, instead of looking at bed numbers. You know what Paula, there's always something wrong when you come in"..

As for crappy reports, you do the best you can in your 12 hours. The other day I got report on a patient..."he had adenoma and a bowel resection" That was it. I didn't get anything else. Luckily, he was a pretty stable ICU patient. Not vented or on any drips. Wasn't even told that his K was low and it was supplemented..had to look that up myself because I would need to draw repeat lytes.

Lastly, I am SICK AND TIRED of giving an autobiography of each patient I take care of. Not all nurses are like this. Some are. One newer nurse wanted every single lab and xray result, stuff that I wouldn't get report on and would have to look up. The last time she requested that I told her to look it up herself if she is so concerned about it. I'm only concerned about the 12 hours I take care of my patients.

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2008

I really don't miss the days of having to start at "the patient was born at 38 weeks gestation on a Wednesday, had a shoulder fracture and surgery when he was 12, tonsillectomy at 20...etc" when it's an 89 year old man in with r/o ACS.

My favorite reports are "all your beds are empty and there isn't anyone in the waiting room"...:chuckle

OP, try to let this one roll off your shoulders. When you give report to her again, ask "Do you have any questions? Any other information that you need? Nope? OK, I'm going home now. Goodnight!"

Report shouldn't take 30 minutes per patient.

Blee

leslie :-D · Apr 7, 2008

i'd let it go.

there just isn't any possible way that everyone will be satisfied w/the way you give report.

sometimes when i give it, i'll hear, "i know that already".

other times, "what about....?"

i provide abnormal data and pt/family concerns (if any).

i am thorough but remain focused on what occured on my time.

don't let her drag anyone else into this.

it was a very passive-aggressive way of bit*hing.

a simple smile followed with, "i appreciate your concerns" should suffice.

then carry on as usual.

is anyone else ever tempted to take the complainer by the nose, and twist it til s/he tears??? :devil:

just askin'. :nurse:

leslie