One of my favorite parts of being a nurse is giving reports to the incoming shift. I enjoy telling the story of why the patient was admitted. It is important to give the nurse good reports on the patients they will be receiving. Abraham Lincoln said it best: Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax. Arriving early to work makes it easier to research the patients before the shift starts.
I try my best to read up on them so I can give a good report. I try to not only give the basic information on the patient, but also what to expect from them. For instance, if the patient calls frequently or asks for pain medication every hour. I like to let them know if the patient asks to go to the bathroom frequently and how well they walk to the bathroom.
It’s also important to include how the patient takes medications, such as whether they like it crushed or whole, or if they like to take it in applesauce or pudding. I also like to let the nurse know how many medications they have because that determines how long they will be in there scanning medications.
If the family is intense or needy, I like to include that in my report too. It’s nice to give them a heads-up on what they will be dealing with. The family can cause more work during your shift, depending on the kind of family they are. I also like to let the nurse know if the patient is nice or mean, stubborn or anxious. It helps to inform the nurse of this because they will know what to expect.
Another important thing to include in the report is wounds. There should be a short description of the wounds the patient has, and the wound care orders for that patient, if any. If the wound care is extensive, it is important to print it out and place it in the room for the next shift. Sometimes it makes it easier for them to follow. If possible, I place the wound care supplies in the room to make the process easier for them when they come in to do the wound care.
Of course, the test, lab work, and discharge plans are just as important. We must also include the plan for the patient, such as important procedures, tests, or surgeries they may have during that admission.
Tip: Be prepared to give a good report by arriving early to read about the patient in case you are unable to read them later.
