Why do Nurses do this?

psalm, RN · Oct 30, 2007

I use the "time out" sign so they know I need to say something important. I have used this with 2 doctors and they were surprised with my sign language, but it works and most people don't have a problem with it.

leslymill · Oct 30, 2007

You could write it on a peice on paper and hold your hand out between them while they talk. Now if they chin up to see over your hand and continue talking and EVEN then get up and start to move away....Say, WOE WOE WAIT...

nursemike, ASN, RN · Oct 30, 2007

Scenario: Two nurses talking. I'm doing vitals, have an abnormal which I am obligated to report to the nurse. Half of my shift, I can't find the nurses when they're needed for things like patients asking for pain meds, IV's running empty, etc.
I approach nurse in conversation with another nurse. I stand off to the side just in the field of vision so I'm not horning in or overhearing the conversation with the other nurse. Conversation continues... and I'm being ignored. Conversation ends, and both nurses walk away leaving me to chase down the one I had to report to. Why does this always happen? And it's not just one nurse in particular, it's every nurse on the unit. Obviously, I need to tell them something, but I'm repeatedly ignored. Does anyone have any way for me to handle this? This happened to me 3 times last night. :angryfire:angryfire:angryfire

I sometimes encounter a similar situation with doctors, except usually they're on the phone with someone. I try to be polite, but position myself to block their exit. Okay, so maybe that isn't so polite...

If it's important--and I probably wouldn't be reporting it if it wasn't--it's worth being as assertive as necessary to get the info across.

On the other side of the coin, I've seen aides who'll interrupt report to tell me my patient is depressed about their cancer, or always seem to manage to call during a dressing change to report normal vitals, then don't think to mention abnormal ones. I try hard, though, not to discourage anyone from keeping me informed, because being informed is part of my job.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2007

You could write it on a peice on paper and hold your hand out between them while they talk. Now if they chin up to see over your hand and continue talking and EVEN then get up and start to move away....Say, WOE WOE WAIT...

Thats too much work

just interrupt them

Ms Kylee · Oct 30, 2007

Thank you everyone! Today I had every intention of interrupting... only the problem wasn't there today. And the nurses came to ME for vitals and info... that's never happened before.. but I worked with three nurses that I usually don't work with very often.

leslymill · Oct 31, 2007

Thats too much work
just interrupt them

\

This from a guy who chases a tiny little white ball around a big green field and calls it a sport. Then again, God invented the golf cart and the caddy.

catlynLPN · Oct 31, 2007

Just say, "Excuse me just a minute please, Nurse___________, I need to report something to you." And say it.

Gee whiz, we all got to go home at the end of the shift, so get it reported.

I USED to be that way. I've always been kind of timid, didn't want to interrupt anyone talking or being busy. I don't do that anymore.

I have finally come to believe that my job is important or I wouldn't be there.

I have information others need, so I need to tell them.

My time is important and so is yours.......interrupt, nicely, report it and go on about your business.

If they're standing there gossiping, which they don't need to be doing, then they have time to listen to you. {Reread your post.........maybe they weren't gossiping, but whatever they were talking about, can be interrupted for 15 seconds}.