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Web site spotlight: Give your nurses the "closing" feedback

Staff Development Weekly: Insight on Evidence-Based Practice in Education, April 24, 2008

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The practice of "closing" at the end of a shift is a great way to give immediate feedback to all generations. The two or three people who worked together during a shift say what went well on the shift, what went poorly, what they wished had happened, and what they wished had not happened. This gives them an opportunity to recognize, acknowledge, and discuss the day's events and everyone's contribution. Closing allows for timely, factual information to be exchanged by the people who were involved, and it facilitates corrections, clarifications, and learning.

Below are some examples of what to say during closing:

• "I wish I had realized that your saying 'no' to my offer to help actually meant, 'I am drowning and have no idea what to even ask for.'"
• "It would have been more helpful if I had known that your patient's condition had worsened and rendered you unable to take the next admission as soon as it occurred, rather than as the patient was rolling in the door. Had I known earlier, I could have gotten you help, reassigned the admission, and given that nurse a longer heads-up period."
• "I felt we worked well together, kept each other informed, and tackled that complex case as a team. I hope I can work with you again tomorrow."

Editor's note: This excerpt was taken from the tool "Simple strategy to provide feedback to all generations," which is located in the Tools Library on HCPro's online resource www.StrategiesForNurseManagers.com.

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