How do you make seamless transitions during shift changes?

"At my current position, we have a transition process at shift change. To start, the RNs coming off shift and those coming on have a huddle led by the unit supervisor at each shift change. In the huddle, any significant issues with patients are discussed. Next, if any work remains to be done with a patient, we communicate to each other one-on-one to ensure that the needs of our patients are met."

As a nurse, my goal for shift change is to give all the information needed for the next shift to do their job well and clock out on time. Before the next shift arrives, I make sure I have all medications up to date so the next nurse knows when medications are due and gathers any lab work that was done. I also make sure they know any pertinent assessment data that is needed. I quickly tell them about any vital signs that may have been abnormal or any issues the patient has been dealing with over my shift. Then I go on to explain the plan that the doctors may have for this patient.