Tips for getting reports from RN

decembergrad2011, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2010

If you have access to the charts/computer, get there a little early and take a glance at your patients. You don't have to write anything down, but knowing their admitting diagnosis, plan of care, and orders for the day goes a long way toward putting all of the rest of the pieces together. If you DO have time, I would write down all of that and the abnormal labs, meds + times, diet and how they are voiding, etc. The more things you can get down before you get report, the more time for questions.

I wouldn't take it personally that the RNs aren't making sure that you overhear their report. The night nurses have been there for 12 hours and are ready to get home, so the quicker they can get done with report, the quicker they get to leave. Personally, I wouldn't interrupt report to ask questions if that's what you are doing. Make a note about it if you've missed something and then go back and ask the day shift RN if you have a question when report is over.

It is about being assertive, but I think at the same time it's about finding resources for yourself. We have computer charting in our hospital, so at clinicals I'm able to look at my patients and answer the majority of my questions in the morning on the computer before I even get report from my RN. I also rarely listen in on the "official" report and instead choose to get report directly from the day shift RN because of the situation you are describing. I find that getting report from the RN also establishes a direct collaborative team rather than hanging over the shoulders while the official report is going on and the RN not necessarily knowing who you are or what you're doing. Of course, for me there are only usually gaps for the RN to fill instead of a long-winded full report because of my research prior to talking to him/her.

Don't be afraid to ask for even more clarification. If they answer you and you need more information, rephrase your question to get the information you need. I know my advice might not help if you don't have access to the charts, but there is nothing wrong with having to get a second report from the day shift RN for clarification. It's their job to make sure you have the information you need to take care of your patients. When it comes down to it, they have another person basically taking the majority of care for one of their charges off their hands, but they are still responsible for making sure that everything gets done correctly and on time for them.

good luck!