Calling the Doctor: Giving Nurse-to-Provider Report Like a Pro
When I first started as a bedside RN, one part of the job gave me a deep sense of anxiety: having to call the doctor. Some providers were lovely; many were impatient. Giving report in a format the provider isn't expecting creates tension and miscommunication.
In this guide I'll share an effective method for giving a quick report to a physician or APP in the inpatient setting. I'm uniquely positioned to help — I work as a hospital Nurse Practitioner and take 20–30 calls per night from floor nurses, so I've seen exactly what makes a report land. Yes, it's SBAR — but with a few important introductory steps first.
Step 1: Introduce Yourself and the Patient
Start by saying who you are, where you're calling from, and who you're calling about. I can't count how many times a nurse launched into a full explanation and I had to interrupt with "Who is the patient?!" Often the provider can pull up the chart while you talk.
Last names are hard to catch over the phone, especially with accents — so spell the last name ("Lopez, that's L-O-P-E-Z"), since our census lists are usually alphabetical. You usually don't need to spell the first name. Include their unit and room number, and the attending physician if the provider only covers certain attendings. Finally, ask if they're familiar with the patient — it saves everyone time.
Step 2: Brief Medical History
In the hospital I always want to know why the patient was admitted — it gives context. A headache in a COPD-exacerbation patient deserves less investigation than one in a patient admitted for a TIA or a mechanical fall. Then give a brief overview of the relevant history, hitting:
You usually don't need surgical history unless it's directly relevant to this admission.
Step 3: Why You're Calling (Situation)
This part is simple — why are you calling? It's usually one of these:
Whatever the reason, state it plainly and then move into the background.
Step 4: Situation Background
You've already covered who you are, who the patient is, where they are, why they're admitted, and why you're calling. Now give context to the situation at hand. For an SOB COPD patient: are breathing treatments ordered, and how often? No matter the reason, it helps to answer:
Step 5: Assessment
As the nurse, you assess the patient first when status changes. You don't need a full head-to-toe — get the vital signs and do a quick focused assessment of the involved systems (calling for SOB → how they're breathing and what the lungs sound like).
Always Get Updated Vitals
Vital signs from 3–4 hours ago aren't helpful to the current situation. Get a fresh set whenever there's a change in status — that's just good practice.
Step 6: Recommendations
Nurses are the eyes, ears, and hands of healthcare — on the front lines, well-educated, and often with great recommendations. You may know exactly what your patient needs to feel better. Another valuable recommendation: ask the provider to evaluate the patient in person when needed. It can be hard to convey your unease about how a patient looks even when the "numbers" seem fine, and an in-person look ensures they're in good hands.
Related: Tips for New Nurse Practitioners
can you add a published date for this article? I would like to use your information for my paper as reference.
Thank you!
I have added the date. The original published date was 9/10/2019. I hope the paper went well!
thank you for your tips! It makes it easier !
I’m so happy they’re helping you!