Nursing report sheets are premade templates of paper used by nurses to help them keep track of their patients. A nursing report sheet is started at the beginning of the nurses shift while she/he is getting report from the leaving nurse who is giving them nursing report. This nursing report sheet should not be confused with the SBAR tool which is a tool used as a guide for giving nursing report.
Why Do Nurses Use Nursing Report Sheets?
Nurse report sheets are very handy because they contain tidbits of vital information concerning your patient’s diagnosis, history, allergies, attending doctor,consults, things that need to be done on your shift, medication times, vital signs, lab results etc. The report sheet has other usage as well. Other usages of the nursing report sheet include but are not limited to:
- Keeping track of telephone orders received from doctors
- Critical Lab values called to you from lab
- Helps you keep track of intake and output
- Helps you keep track of blood sugars and insulin coverage
- Nursing notes to remind yourself of things you need to do for the patient or chart on
- Notes to yourself on things you want to remind the next shift
Most nurses who use report sheets consider their report sheet to be their “brain,” and panic when they misplace them. Nurses who use them tend to keep them folded in their scrub pocket or on their clip board for easy access.
Always make sure to get a good report on your patients before starting a new shift. Learn more about questions to ask when getting report.
Video on How to Give Nursing Shift Report
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Benefits of a Nursing Report Sheet
- Fast access to patient information. If you are asked by a doctor what a particular patient’s INR was you could simply look at your report sheet to find out. You won’t have fumble around and try to remember which patient he/she was talking about.
- Helps you keep track of things you need to get done before your shift is over.
- Helps you differate between each patient. When you have a 6 to 7 patient load, patient diagnosis and histories can run together and you may get them confused.
- Helps you keep your charting more accurate. If you write down on your report sheet things you need to remember to chart, your charting will be more accurate and easier to do. Again with 6 to 7 patients things tend to run together.
Nursing Report Sheets (Templates)
Below are free for your to download nursing report sheet templates. You can print them and use them as often as you want. You can share them with other nurses as well. Simply click the picture of the report sheet you like and after you download it you can print them. Tip: for less report sheets to carry around set your printer settings so you can print on the back side.
Remember to always shred your report sheet at the end of your shift. Never take your report sheet home with you!
Anonymous says
Ur just too good n doing a praiseworthy job.thank u so much.god bless
S.L. Page says
I just wanted to thank you personally for this comment. Comments like these are very encouraging and motivating. Thank you again for taking the time to comment these kind words.
God Bless,
Sarah