sample nursing assignment sheets

The Ultimate Nursing Report Sheet Guide - Free Downloads!

As a nurse, you know the importance of clear and concise communication, especially when it comes to patient care. Nursing report sheets play a vital role in ensuring seamless handovers between shifts, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes. However, navigating these sheets can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially for new nurses.

What are Nursing Report Sheets?

Nursing report sheets are standardized forms used to document a patient's condition, including vital signs, medications, treatments, and any relevant observations. They serve as a communication tool between nurses, ensuring continuity of care throughout the patient's journey.

Benefits of Using Nursing Report Sheets:

• Improved patient care: Clear and accurate documentation facilitates better communication and collaboration among healthcare professionals, leading to improved patient care.
• Enhanced safety: Reporting potential risks and concerns helps identify and address issues promptly, ensuring patient safety.
• Reduced errors: Standardized formats minimize the risk of errors and omissions associated with free-form documentation.
• Increased efficiency: Pre-structured templates save time and improve efficiency during shift changes.

Essential Components of a Nursing Report Sheet:

• Patient demographics: Basic information like name, age, diagnosis, and admitting date.
• Vital signs: Temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation.
• Medications: Current medication list, including dosages, frequencies, and routes of administration.
• Treatments: Treatments received and planned, including interventions like dressing changes, oxygen therapy, and suctioning.
• Laboratory and diagnostic reports: Summary of recent tests and results.
• Neurological status: Level of consciousness, orientation, and any neurological deficits.
• Pain assessment and management: Description of pain, pain score, and current pain management strategies.
• Fluid intake and output: Total intake and output for the shift.
• Activity and mobility: Level of independence and assistance required for daily activities.
• Skin integrity: Assessment of skin condition and any pressure injuries.
• Nutritional status: Dietary intake and any nutritional concerns.
• Discharge planning: Current discharge plan and any anticipated needs.

Tips for Using Nursing Report Sheets Effectively:

• Complete the sheet comprehensively and accurately.
• Use clear and concise language.
• Document all relevant observations and concerns.
• Proofread the sheet carefully before handing off to the next nurse.
• Ask questions and clarify any uncertainties.
• Utilize standardized abbreviations and terminology.

By mastering nursing report sheets, you can enhance communication, improve patient care, and ensure a smooth and safe transition between shifts. Remember, accurate and efficient reporting is not just a good practice, it's a vital aspect of providing quality patient care.

10 Free Nursing Report Sheet Downloads

Our report sheets are used extensively throughout health systems across the country.

• Download and print PDFs, or edit in Google Docs/Microsoft Word.
• 1-4 patients per sheet, with portrait and landscape options.
• SBAR and Brain format:  Perfect for Med-Surg, ICU, Tele, Step-Down, and ER units.

1. Full-Size SBAR Nurse Report Sheet

• Perfect for new grads and nursing students
• Fly through report by circling options instead of writing everything
• 1 patient per sheet
• SBAR format
• Great for all units

2. Brain Nursing Report Sheet Template

• Brain format

3. ICU Nurse Report Sheet

• Great for ICU

4. Mini SBAR Nursing Report Sheet

• 3 patients per sheet
• Quick report taking with circling options
• Great for med surg and tele units

5. 4 Patient Nurse Report Sheet

• 4 patients per sheet

6. Brain Nursing Report Sheet

7. 2 Patient Landscape Nurse Report Sheet

• 2 patients per sheet

8. 3 Patient SBAR Nurse Report Sheet

9. Full-size Nurse Report Sheet Template

10. History and Physical Template

• H&P format
• Great for nurse practitioners and NP students

Free Downloads!

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• TemplateLab

Nursing Assessment Forms

39 printable nursing assessment forms (+examples).

People who go to the hospital seeking medical information or help will be first attended by any member of the nursing staff before going to a doctor. As a nurse, you would perform a nursing assessment, which includes height and weight measurements, temperature, blood pressure , heart, and respiratory rate. You record your results in a nursing assessment form.

Table of Contents

• 1 Nursing Assessment Forms
• 2 What is a nursing assessment?
• 3 Nursing Assessment Templates
• 4 Why is a nursing assessment important?
• 5 Nursing Assessment Examples
• 6 How do you write a nursing assessment?
• 7 Nursing Assessment Sheets

What is a nursing assessment?

A nursing assessment form contains a collection of information about the physiological, psychological, spiritual, and sociological status of a patient. The assessment is the first step in the nursing process.

Although you can use nursing skin assessment forms and other forms to identify the current and future needs of a patient, it still has a very broad scope. You should go through certain set procedures before you can properly evaluate an individual.

Typically, you will use a nursing assessment sheet that you will fill up when conducting these evaluations. The nursing assessment is an organized set of processes you use to provide optimal care for your patients.

You cannot delegate this assessment to unlicensed nurses, although nursing students unless with the guidance of their clinical instructors. This assessment has a broad scope because it focuses on the whole body system. There are different types that focus only on specific parts of the assessment. These include:

• Learning Needs Here, you identify deficiencies in knowledge that serve as the basis of the learning needs of a person that you can analyze. This functions as a guide in teaching by a healthcare provider.
• Competency This is the continuous evaluation of the knowledge, skills, and development of a person that enables them to perform activities.
• Physical This is a thorough head-to-toe assessment of a patient.
• Admission Before a patient gets confined in a hospital, they must go through physical assessments and statistics. This serves as a baseline for the required actions you must take and for the patient records.
• Holistic This approach toward a patient involves sociological, cultural, spiritual, and psychological needs. You derive your nursing implementations from the information you gather from your patient.

Nursing Assessment Templates

Why is a nursing assessment important?

In general, nurses know that a comprehensive nursing assessment is an important first step in the development of a plan to deliver the best possible patient care. As a nurse, you also know that a nursing assessment form is a key part of your responsibilities and roles.

A nursing assessment example is a tool used to learn about a patient’s symptoms, overall health, and concerns. A nursing assessment template is an essential factor because this is where you gather comprehensive data to help in the determination of your diagnoses, which you then use to develop nursing care plans to help improve health outcomes.

The comprehensive data on these forms include psychological, socioeconomic, social, and physiological determinants of health, lifestyle, and spiritual information. The comprehensive health assessment has many components.

Before the assessment begins, you must develop a rapport with your patients by first introducing yourself, then explaining what you will do during the assessment and why.

Patients become anxious when you conduct these assessments and establishing a rapport with them helps put them at ease although this could also depend upon the setting of the assessment or the reason for their visit.

Most comprehensive nursing assessments usually begin with the health history of the patient and this includes information about their past injuries or illnesses including childhood immunizations and illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations, allergies, chronic illnesses, and the illnesses that run in their family.

One of the components of a nursing assessment is the health history of the patient. Here, you will ask a patient to describe the symptoms they feel, when their symptoms began, and how they developed before you forward the process to the physical examination.

Physical examinations are very familiar to most people and they usually start with a complete set of vital signs including blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, and heart rate.

Because of the increasing rate of chronic conditions and the growing elderly population, it is necessary to learn how to keep up with distinct patient characteristics. This is another important aspect of the BSN and RN program.

Nursing Assessment Examples

How do you write a nursing assessment?

One of the most important roles of filling out nursing assessment examples is to provide accurate, safe, and effective nursing care. This is the first step in the nursing process and it involves exploring the psychological, physical, social, and spiritual aspects of a patient.

In other words, nursing skin assessment forms and other forms are a systematic and holistic guide for you to gain a better understanding of the needs and wants of a patient. A nursing assessment sheet is the underlying foundation of the process on which you base the other parts of the process.

You use the nursing assessment form as the starting point to building a therapeutic patient-nurse relationship and you can establish this during your first encounter. Actually, the assessment is the first encounter between you and a patient. You will both make first impressions and these judgments can have a great effect on how a patient perceives you.

Through this assessment, you can get information essential for providing your patient with effective holistic care. You can use nursing assessment framework tools to get from a patient, accurate information about them.

The initial assessment, which you based on both objective and subjective data, can be your basis in determining the actual issues of a patient, as well as, any potential issues. When making this assessment, include the following:

• Admission Assessment You should complete this with the patient, a caregiver, or a parent upon the patient’s arrival and you must be complete it within 24 hours of their admission. Then you enter any additional information into the progress notes of the patient. It is important to consider the privacy of your patient at all times.
• Patient History As a nurse, you should discuss the following with your patient: The history of the patient’s current injury or illness Other relevant details about their past history Any allergies and similar reactions Any medications the patient is currently taking Immunization status Implants, social, and family history You should also discuss any recent overseas travel and documented this information Assessment of your patients’ overall emotional, behavioral, and physical state. You should conduct this upon their admission then continue to observe them throughout their stay in the hospital.
• Vital Signs This involves recording baseline observations on your patient’s observation flowsheet. This is an important aspect of admission documentation and assessment. You should complete an ongoing assessment of vital signs as indicated for your patient. It is very important to review the VICTOR graph every two hours or as your patient’s condition requires. This allows you to observe any trending of vital signs that might support your clinical assessment process.
• Physical Assessment Conducting a structured physical examination can help you get a complete assessment of your patient. Some techniques used to obtain this information include inspection or observation, percussion, auscultation, and palpation. You should use your clinical judgment to decide on the extent of the assessment needed. Assessment information includes, but isn’t limited to: Primary assessment Shift Assessment Focused Assessment Neurological System A complete neurological nursing assessment includes sensory function, neurological observations, growth and development including gross and fine motor skills. seizures and other concerns. Respiratory System Generally, children are more susceptible to respiratory illnesses and other similar conditions that cause respiratory distress. Therefore, you should conduct an assessment of the severity of their respiratory conditions. Gastrointestinal Ensure that your patient’s stomach isn’t full when conducting this assessment as this might induce vomiting. This assessment can include inspection, light palpation and auscultation of the abdomen to find visible abnormalities, softness or tenderness and bowel sounds. Musculoskeletal You can conduct this assessment while observing a child or in bed or as they move about a room. Keep in mind that during periods of rapid growth, children usually complain of normal muscle aches. You should compare their joints and limbs bilaterally throughout your assessment. Skin You conduct this to identify any cutaneous issues or systematic diseases. Eye You should perform eye inspection on children very carefully and only when the child is completely compliant. Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Conducting this assessment is important as respiratory illnesses are very common in children. It should also involve a comprehensive examination of the throat, the mouth, and the oral cavity. Common diseases here might include allergies, upper respiratory infections, facial or oral trauma, pharyngitis and dental caries.
• Assessment Evaluation Make sure that the information you collect is properly documented, complete, and accurate before going to the evaluation phase of your assessment. You must use problem-solving and critical thinking skills in making clinical decisions and the plan of care for the patient you’re assessing. Should you discover any abnormal findings, it will be your responsibility to take appropriate action. These actions may include communicating your findings to the medical team, the ANUM in charge of your shift, or related allied health team. Patients should undergo continuous assessment for any changes in their condition while under your care. Moreover, these assessments should be regularly documented.

Nursing Assessment Sheets

More Templates

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Health History Forms

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By Nurses, For Nurses.

FREE Nursing Report Sheets & How to Make One

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Additionally, we are proud to not use any AI within our content. Our content is 100%   for nurses, by nurses .

Nursing report is an important part of a shift. Having a good nursing report sheet can help ease the transition for new nurses and even keep veteran nursing on track. The best part, these are all free nursing report sheets!

The nursing sheets provided, I designed throughout nursing school. They were developed into what they are today as I started working in a neurological ICU and surgical ICU. These are perfect critical care nursing report sheets and are perfect for anyone who needs pediatric, cardiac, med-surg, telemetry, or postpartum nursing report sheets .

What is a Nursing Report Sheet?

Nursing report sheets are used by nurses to obtain shift report. Shift report happens between nurses when they switch nurses for the shift. Shift report includes information about each patient. It is important to include vital potent information in report while being quick.

The report sheet should include the patient’s name, reason for admission, any co-morbidities and other pertinent information. Pertinent information will depend on what floor you work on, but typically includes the medications for the day, code status, nutrition status, labs and vital sign trends.

It can be nice to find free nursing report sheets, but it is important to remember, you should make it your own!

Why Do Nurses Use Report Sheets?

Most nurses will use nursing report sheets to write down information for each patient. It is difficult to recall everything so writing it down helps a lot. There are some great nursing clipboards that can help you organize your papers for the day.

As I mentioned before, nurses will write down information used for the day. However, some nurses might even plan out their day. I typically use my sheets to create a plan for medications and charting expectations for the shift. It is important to mark when you need to chart certain things and obviously pass medications.

Nursing Report Sheet ICU

This is my favorite custom critical care nursing report sheet. I made this report sheet when I was precepting in the neuro ICU. I learned a lot during my time there and really was able to create a custom report sheet. Creating something custom allowed me to perfect my nursing report skills and really helped me as a new nurse.

I wanted to allow everyone to customize these free nursing report sheets to adapt them to their own floor.

Nursing Report Sheet (Version 1)

Send download link to:

The front page consists on basic patient info, report from previous shift, lines, labs, neuro report, blood gases (if needed), etc.

The back page is meant to be separated into four quadrants (we preferred to fold it, but you could mark it with your pen). And we proceeded to use the top two quadrants for medications (including time and info) and the bottom two for the shift’s schedule (time and info) and extra info to give to the next shift report.

Telemetry Nursing Report Sheet

This is a tele nurse report sheet, but it is also great as a med-surg nursing report sheet. This telemetry nursing report sheet is a template you should customize to fit your needs.

In addition, this sample nursing report sheet is used as a template for nursing students or clinical groups. It is great to learn with because it lists all of the important portions of a nursing report in order.

Nursing Report Sheet (2nd Version)

Med-surg nursing report sheet (medical-surgical floors).

Here we have a few med-surg nursing brain sheets or report sheets. These are designed for nurses who have more than 1-2 patients.

With my time in the ICU, I learned to manage 2 patients fairly well. However, some med-surg nurses manage upwards of 7-8 patients per shift ( which I could never understand ), but that means that need to stay organized.

Any seasoned nurses know that organization is 99% of the job. But, for the new nurses, keeping yourself organized can be challenging. So, hopefully these nursing report sheets (nurse brain sheets) can help the med-surg nurses. But, even other nurses can customize them to their liking!

3 Patient Nurse Report Sheet

4 Patient Simple Report Sheet

How to Make Your Own Nursing Report Sheet

Creating your own nursing report sheet is actually easier than it might sound. Typically using Microsoft Word allows you to cater to your own needs.

Start by downloading one of our free templates. Once you have one downloaded, you need to open them in Microsoft Word or another comparable word processing program. Once in, you can edit any of the boxes with text. Just highlight the text and change it!

For example, to change what lab values are their or perhaps which assessments, just highlight the text and type! Once you’re finished, just print it and you’re set!

Striving to help nurses and nursing students succeed.

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• 10+ Nursing Student Assignment Sheet Templates in PDF | Word

Student assignments are necessary to know the impact of education on school students, keeping in mind the standard and surroundings of education. A student assignment can determine the potential strength of every individual student. To perceive the progress and result of the method of education followed in your faculty or school you’ll be able to use sheet templates that how your given assignment sheet worked out to the nursing students of your institute.

Step 1: Set a Goal

Step 2: rating scale, step 3: guarantee qualified surroundings, step 4: live student satisfaction, step 5: implement your assignment results.

Nursing Student Mission Statement Template

Nursing student cover letter, nursing student reference letter, nursing student cv template, nursing student care plan template.

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Ultimate Nursing Report Sheet Database & Free Downloads

What are you struggling with in nursing school?

NURSING.com is the BEST place to learn nursing. With over 2,000+ clear, concise, and visual lessons, there is something for you!

33 Nursing Report and Brain Sheet Templates

I get it . . .

I was there once too.

Notes on my hands, on alcohol swabs, on scraps of paper, and a few scribbled on the gloves I was wearing.

Staying organized as a nurse is no joke.

"After about 6 months working on the floor as a nurse, I finally had MY method. I'd found a nursing report sheet (brain sheet) that worked for ME."

It was like the entire world had changed!!

 I didn’t feel like . . . this . . .

I was actually getting some work done!

You Need a Nursing Brain Sheet That Works for YOU

For the longest time, I have tried pushing the brain sheet that worked for me onto new students and newbie nurses.  I’ve changed my tone.

About a month ago we sent out a signal on social media. Asking for nurses and nursing students to send us the report sheet or brain sheet that they were currently using so that we could compile a database of the BEST nurse brain sheets.

 The Nursing Brain Sheet Database

The response was AMAZING (to say the least).  We received over 100 report sheet templates from nurses working in MedSurg, ICU, ED, OB, Peds, Tele . . . you name it.

We’ve spent the last two months combing through all the submissions and have narrowed it down to the top 33.  It turned out pretty awesome and provides the BEST resource and collection available of templates for report sheets and brainsheets for nearly any specialty. . . did  I mention it’s FREE?

I will give you a preview of each one.

Here it is! 

Wondering What’s Inside?

Want a sneak peek at some of the best brainsheets we received?  No problem.  Let’s take a sneak peek at all of them and talk about why we chose to include them in our list of the best nursing report sheet templates.

The images below are just small glimpses of the actual pages.  To get the full FREE database . . . just click here.

I’m going to show you examples of 20 of the 33 nursing brain sheets that are included in the database.

1. Handoff and Nursing Report Sheet

This is the report sheet that my preceptor used to make me fill out prior to the end of each shift as a newbie.  To be honest, at first, I was so annoyed that I had to spend like an hour at the end of each shift filling this out.  It wasn’t until I realized I was able to give a badass report that I was finally grateful she made me fill this out.

What I like most about this sheet is that it breaks down each body system and makes you really think about what is going on with your patient . . . from head to toe.

2. Ultimate Clinical Brainsheet

This is a custom one that I made for myself while in nursing school.

I think it outlines nearly everything a nursing student should be thinking about during a clinical day . . . including an area to write notes about things you want to look up later and learn more about.

3. 4 Patient Simple Tele Sheet

This sheet is perfect for those who like things simple. With a bit of guidance, it becomes a handy tool for MedSurg and Tele nurses who are often on the move. In the fast-paced world of MedSurg and Tele nursing, time is precious.

Nurses and nursing students need quick access to important information for efficient patient care, and this sheet does just that. It makes managing patient data and tasks easier, helping nurses and nursing students stay organized and responsive in busy clinical settings.

For nurses and nursing students in these fields, this sheet is a valuable resource that simplifies daily tasks and improves the quality of care they provide.

  Everything You Need To Know About Nursing Time Management

4. 4 Patient Simple Nurse Task Sheet

I love this one.  At first glance it looks basic . . . but at closer inspection, you start to see all the details and information you have available with it.  From lab values to foley care, to last pain med, this would be a great one for a nurse that has a flow and just wants a simple push to stay a bit more organized.

It's a great tool to simplify your daily nursing tasks and keep things running smoothly.

5. Vertical Nurse Brain sheet with Assessment Diagram

I’m a visual learner.  This one just grabs my attention.  I like the top section for the “essentials” like blood sugars, DX, and Pt info.  I also really like the area below the charts to draw little notes about your physical assessment. I really like this nursing brain sheet for beginner or experienced nurses.

It can be helpful to SEE what sort of findings you came up with during your initial assessment.

6. Just the Boxes

I’ll be honest . . . after a couple of years of being a nurse, my “brainsheet” has evolved into more of a few freehand drawings on a sheet of paper.  If that sounds like you, this is probably the one for you.  With little more than a few suggestions . . . this is a pretty basic organizer for nurses.

In the fast-paced world of nursing, nurses often face a complex array of tasks and information. This "brainsheet" becomes a lifeline, helping us navigate patient care with precision.

7. Postpartum Nursing Brain Sheet

My experience with postpartum nursing is limited to the birth of my two kids and a few shifts on the OB floor as a nursing student . . . and I’d like to keep it that way.

Despite my limited experience, this sheet looks pretty bitchin’ . . .you have to admit.  With places for mommy and baby assessment, this one seems to have it all!

8. 8 Patient MedSurg Nurse Report/Brain Sheet

Until patient ratios finally become mandated . . . fingers crossed . . . we just need to face the truth that some of our MedSurg brother and sister will be taking 8 patients.

Even if that isn’t your reality, this is still (maybe) my favorite.

I like the layout.  I like the space for 3 sets of vitals per patient.  I like the space for notes, meds, assessments, and more.  This one really packs a lot of information into such a small little space.

You might also want to take a listen to this podcast episode about staying organized in clinical.

9. Mom-Baby Brainsheet

As mentioned earlier, not being an OB nurse I’m not sure I can fully appreciate everything that is on this page . . . but I must admit it does seem impressive.

To give you a glimpse, I've included a compact screenshot of this page.  It's evident that this brain sheet holds substantial potential for OB nursing clinicals, and I'm excited to witness the positive impact it can have for you!

10. Detailed ICU Nurse Report Sheet

Alrighty!  Now we’re speaking my language.  What you will notice about a lot of the ICU sheets included in the database is that they are full sheets dedicated to just one patient.

When you work ICU a lot of times you only have two patients . . . sometimes even just one.

But you are expected to know EVERYTHING about that patient so you need to have an organized way of keeping track of all of that information.  This nursing report sheet does a pretty good job of outlining the information an ICU nurse needs to know.

Here’s a snapshot:

11. Charge Nurse Report Sheet

Yep.  Even charge nurses have to take report.

In fact, when I was working as charge nurse of our 34-bed ICU I would arrive about an hour ahead of all the staff nurses to take a detailed bedside report of EVERY.SINGLE.PATIENT.

It was a lot to keep track of during a 12-hour shift.

A report sheet like this does a great job of giving the charge nurse a few boxes to check . . . of just the important stuff (vent, isolation, foley).

12. 5 Patient Vertical Brainsheet

Every now and then I will post a pic of a typical IV pole for an ICU patient.  People will say “I could never do that” or “looks too busy” . . .here is my response.  I would rather have 1 or 2 patients that I am in charge of and trying to keep track of than ever try to keep 5 or more patients straight.

Respect to the MedSurg nurses out there . . .

Just looking at this nursing report sheet makes me scared!

13.  ICU Body System Report Brainsheet

Here is another great ICU sheet with an entire page dedicated to just one patient.

Are you starting to see the difference between the different floors?

Being a nurse means something slightly different on any given floor.  We all have the same goal, the same passion for caring, and helping, but it takes a different breed to work on each and every floor.

14. Boxes, Boxes, Boxes Nursing Report Sheet

Do you love neat, clean, tidy spaces?

This might be the one for you.

One thing that this one has that the other does not have is a place for a “password”.  Often times in ICU settings families will request that no information be given to anyone that doesn’t have a “family password”.

I like that this is included on the sheet because many times you will forget as the shift goes on that you need to ask for the password when someone calls.  Having it right in from of your face all shift seems like a good way to avoid that mistake.

15. Hourly Brain Sheet for Nurses

This one is cool because it focuses on dividing your shift up into hours.

I think this does a couple of things: it helps you to stay organized and it kinda helps the time go by faster.

Also, if you look closely it already has the hours written for day and night shifts. . . nice touch.  You will give an amazing nursing report with this sheet.

16. Cardiac Brainsheet

If you work on a cardiac or post-catheterization procedural floor, this sheet is made just for you. It's a specialized tool designed specifically for cardiac nurses. It includes helpful reminders and dedicated spaces for cardiac-specific information like EKG readings, medication schedules, and post-procedure care details.

This sheet streamlines your work and helps you provide excellent care to cardiac patients. It's like a reliable friend accompanying you on your journey in the field of cardiac nursing.

17. Emergency Department Patient Care Sheet

Emergency nursing is high volume/high turnover.

You might only have a patient for a few minutes.  Or you might have the patient for the entire shift.

Many ED nurses find it hard to have any sort of report sheet because they are focused primarily on the life-saving procedures before sending the patient upstairs.

As you can see . . .this sheet focuses on the ESSENTIALS . . . nothing extra.

18. Nursing Rounds Report Sheet

If you work in a tertiary care facility one of the most important parts of your job is figuring out how to best help the patient progress from the hospital.

Many hospitals have interdisciplinary rounds on a daily basis where patient needs are discussed with the entire team (MDs, nurses, PT, OT, Speech . . . etc).

This is a wonderful sheet that will help you to think in a team model and how your care fits into the entire plan.

19. Neuro ICU Brain Sheet

You know I couldn’t make a nursing brainsheet database without including a special one from the Neuro ICU (my home).

If you are a neuro nurse or an aspiring neuro nurse . . . this is a great template to start with as it helps you to focus your assessment and care around the neurological system.

20. Whitespace Nursing Assessment Sheet

Having plenty of space for notes is one thing that many nurses want in a great report sheet.  This one focuses on note-taking space and keeps all the assessment information on the outer edges.

If you are a note-taker. . . this is the one for you!

But Wait . . . There’s More

I’ve always wanted to say that.

But seriously . . . I’ve only shown you small portions of 20 of the 33 nursing brainsheets included in our massive database.

Download the entire FREE library of nurse report sheet templates and pick out the one that works best for you.

Try them all out . . . shoot switch it up and find what really works and helps YOU.

Feel free to download, print, make copies, and share the database.

Oh . . . and a HUGE thank you to all those who submitted their brainsheets to the database.

Download All 33 Brainsheet Templates

To download all of the templates in PDF format just click on the button below.  Once you’ve downloaded them please consider sharing this page with a friend:

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The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Assignments: 7 Tips and Strategies

Nursing assignments are a critical component of every nursing student’s academic journey. They serve as opportunities to test your knowledge, apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios, and develop essential skills necessary for your future nursing career. However, tackling nursing assignments can often be overwhelming, particularly when you’re juggling multiple responsibilities. In this comprehensive guide, we provide valuable tips, strategies, and expert assignment help services to help you excel in your nursing assignments. Whether you’re struggling with research, structuring your assignment, or proofreading, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Understanding the Nursing Assignments

To excel in nursing assignments , it’s crucial to start by thoroughly understanding the requirements. Take the time to carefully read the assignment prompt, paying close attention to the topic, word count, formatting guidelines, and any specific instructions provided by your instructor. Understanding these key components will ensure that you meet all the necessary criteria.

Conducting Thorough Research

Once you have a clear understanding of the assignment, it’s time to conduct thorough research. Solid research forms the foundation of any successful nursing assignment. Begin by gathering relevant and credible sources, such as nursing textbooks, scholarly articles, reputable websites , and academic databases specific to nursing. These resources will provide you with evidence-based information to support your arguments and demonstrate your understanding of the topic.

Creating a Well-Structured Outline

A well-structured outline is essential for organizing your thoughts and ensuring a logical flow in your nursing assignment. An effective outline acts as a roadmap, guiding you through the writing process and ensuring that you cover all the necessary points.

At [Your Service Name], our expert writers can assist you in creating a comprehensive outline tailored to your specific assignment. By collaborating with us, you can receive personalized guidance in organizing your ideas effectively and structuring your assignment in a logical manner. Our writers understand the nuances of nursing assignments and can help you identify the most important concepts and supporting evidence to include.

Using a Professional Tone

Maintaining a professional tone throughout your nursing assignment is crucial. As aspiring healthcare professionals, it’s essential to communicate your ideas with clarity, conciseness, and professionalism. Use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon or slang that may hinder the reader’s understanding. Present your arguments and supporting evidence in a logical and coherent manner, demonstrating your ability to think critically and apply nursing principles.

Our expert writers have extensive experience in academic writing within the field of nursing. They possess a deep understanding of the professional tone required for nursing assignments and can ensure that your assignment is written to the highest standards. By collaborating with us, you can receive guidance in maintaining a professional tone and effectively conveying your ideas.

Incorporating Practical Examples

In addition to a professional tone, incorporating practical examples into your nursing assignment can greatly enhance its quality. Practical examples bring theoretical concepts to life, illustrating their application in real-life scenarios. They demonstrate your understanding of nursing principles and showcase your ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Our team consists of experienced nursing professionals who can assist you in incorporating relevant practical examples into your assignment. Drawing from their extensive knowledge and expertise, they can provide you with real-life scenarios or case studies that strengthen the impact and credibility of your work. By collaborating with us, you can elevate the quality of your assignment by demonstrating your ability to apply nursing concepts in practical settings.

Proofreading and Editing

Proofreading and editing are essential steps in the assignment writing process. They ensure that your nursing assignment is polished, error-free, and effectively communicates your ideas. After completing the initial draft, it’s crucial to take a break and return to your work with fresh eyes. During the proofreading stage, carefully review your assignment for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. Correct any errors and inconsistencies that may affect the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

At nursingresearchhelp.com , we have a dedicated team of proofreaders and editors who specialize in nursing assignments. They meticulously review your work, ensuring that it adheres to formatting guidelines and meets the highest standards of academic writing. Our proofreaders and editors will help you refine your assignment, ensuring that it is polished and error-free. By collaborating with us, you can rest assured that your assignment will be thoroughly reviewed and refined before submission.

Seeking Help When Needed

In addition to proofreading and editing, it’s important to seek help when needed. Nursing assignments can be challenging, and it’s perfectly normal to require assistance. Whether you’re facing difficulties in understanding the assignment prompt, need guidance in specific areas, or simply want a fresh perspective on your work, don’t hesitate to reach out for support.

Our friendly and knowledgeable support team is always available to address any questions or concerns you may have. We understand the unique challenges faced by nursing students and can provide you with the guidance and clarification you need. By seeking help when needed, you can overcome obstacles and ensure the successful completion of your nursing assignments.

Mastering nursing assignments is within your reach with the right tips, strategies, and expert assignment help services. At nursingresearchhelp.com we are committed to supporting nursing students in excelling in their academic pursuits. Our experienced writers, proofreaders, and editors can provide personalized assistance throughout the assignment writing process, ensuring that your assignments meet the highest standards of quality and professionalism.

With our help, you can confidently tackle your nursing assignments and overcome any challenges you may face. Visit our website nursingresearchhelp.com to learn more about our services and how we can support you in achieving academic excellence. Whether you need guidance in understanding the assignment, conducting thorough research, creating a well-structured outline, using a professional tone, incorporating practical examples, or ensuring a polished final product, we are here to assist you. Trust us for reliable and professional assignment help tailored to your needs.

Don’t let the challenges of nursing assignments hold you back—reach out to us for reliable and professional assignment help tailored to your needs.

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What is a Nursing Brain Sheet?

What is a nursing report sheet.

• How to Create
• Why They're Important

How to Read a Nursing Report Sheet

• Free Templates

Nursing report sheets, also commonly referred to as brain sheets or patient report sheets, are a valuable pre-made tool that nurses can use during a shift to keep important patient information. Truthfully, a report sheet is essential to making it through any shift. 

Keep reading to learn more about nursing report sheets and get free templates you can use!

A nursing report sheet is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a customized sheet that contains important information regarding the patient and their medical history. 

How Nurses Use Brain Sheets

Essentially, it is used to tell you the “down and dirty” about your patient. While every nurse should be going through their patient’s charts at the beginning of the shift and then throughout the shift, a nursing report sheet can be used to keep tasks and “to-do’s” organized. 

How Hospitals Use Them

Some hospitals will have one nursing report sheet that will get updated each shift with a specific patient, while others hospitals will expect nurses to write a new report sheet with each shift. 

Report sheets may go with the patient when transferred between units and are ultimately discarded when the patient is discharged. 

How to Create a Nursing Brain Sheet

What’s included on a nursing report sheet varies depending on the hospital, unit, and the individual. It will depend on the expectations and policies of the hospital, and it’s important to speak to the nurse educator to determine the unit’s best practices. 

Examples of what to include on a nursing report sheet include,

• Patient Information, including name, date of birth, room number
• Medical diagnosis
• Attending medical provider/coverage team
• Medication(s)
• Vital Signs
• Lab results, pending lab work
• Important procedures
• Family information
• To-do(s) for shift
• Nursing notes

Why Do You Need a Nursing Report Sheet?

Nursing report sheets can be the key to success when organizing information about your patients, especially if you work on a medical-surgical floor and have a higher patient/nurse ratio. 

There are some key benefits of the nursing report sheet, including, 

• Provide accountability 
• Improving the safety of the patient
• Standardized report
• Fast access to patient information
• Keeping charting organized
• Organizing patient care

Some nurses will read it from top to bottom, while others will organize it based on systems. 

Personally, most experienced nurses will organize their report sheets based on systems. Double-sided report sheets are even better, with one side having all the patient and medical information and the reverse side having an hourly checklist to help organize your shift.

To use a nursing report sheet, first start by including the information you can find in the chart, including basic patient personal information and health history. The remainder can be filled out during the shift report or after spending some time looking at the chart. 

3 Free Nursing Report & Brain Sheet Templates

Kathleen Gaines (nee Colduvell) is a nationally published writer turned Pediatric ICU nurse from Philadelphia with over 13 years of ICU experience. She has an extensive ICU background having formerly worked in the CICU and NICU at several major hospitals in the Philadelphia region. After earning her MSN in Education from Loyola University of New Orleans, she currently also teaches for several prominent Universities making sure the next generation is ready for the bedside. As a certified breastfeeding counselor and trauma certified nurse, she is always ready for the next nursing challenge.

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Cheat Sheets

Nursing Knowledge

Nursing Care Plan (+ Template)

Table of contents, what is a nursing care plan .

A nursing care plan is a written document detailing the nursing interventions that will be done to meet a client’s needs and health goals. It serves as a guide for personalized care of the client and facilitates communication in the healthcare team. 

What is a nursing intervention? 

Nursing interventions are actions in a care plan, such as patient education or treatments. They are formed using patient feedback, evidence-based sources, and the nursing process. 

How to write a nursing care plan 

How to prepare a nursing care plan using the 5-step nursing process (adpie):.

Following the nursing diagnoses that were formed based on a thorough assessment (history, physical assessment, focused assessment), a clear plan of care goals, interventions, and desired outcomes is defined. 

Nursing tip: Gather information in a logical and informed way to provide the best care possible. 

Nursing tip: To address each intervention to assess quality in patient care, goals need to be SMART: 

• M easurable
• A ttainable

Discuss with your client which health goals they would like to achieve. 

Nursing care plan template & examples

Once the client’s goals are established, nursing interventions (NIC) and standard nursing outcomes (NOC) can be used to guide patient care. 

They can, for example, be presented in the nursing care plan in a column-based format: 

Examples of goals could be: 

• Stage 1 pressure ulcer will resolve
• Client demonstrates insulin injection procedure
• Client reports pain level < 4 with ambulation

Examples of fitting nursing interventions could be: 

• Reposition client every 2 hours
• Request diabetes education consult
• Administer pain medication 1 hour before physical therapy

Examples of possible outcomes could be: 

• Reduced redness in lower back area
• Client demonstrates self-injection techniques
• Client ambulates 100 feet twice a day

Nursing intervention examples (practice questions)

Which nursing intervention is placed in the plan of care for a client diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

Answer options:

• Apply a cold compress to the affected joint for 15–20 minutes
• Encourage high-impact exercise like jogging
• Administer IV antibiotics as prescribed
• Start a weight-lifting program for strength

Correct answer:

• Applying a cold compress to the affected joint for 15–20 minutes.

Explanation: 

Cold compresses can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain in osteoarthritis. High-impact exercise and lifting weights can worsen the condition, and antibiotics are not used for osteoarthritis, as it’s not caused by an infection.

A client is diagnosed with hypervolemia. Which is the priority nursing intervention?

• Encourage fluid intake hourly
• Monitor weight and strict I & O
• Administer bronchodilators
• Initiate cardiac monitoring

      2. Monitor weight and intake and output carefully.

In hypervolemia, fluid overload is a concern. Monitoring weight and intake and output allows for accurate assessment and helps guide treatment. More fluid intake would exacerbate the problem, and bronchodilators are not directly related to fluid volume management. Cardiac monitoring is not required as no cardiac problem is identified.

A client has completed a bone marrow biopsy. Which nursing intervention is the priority action post-procedure?

• Elevate the extremity where the biopsy was taken
• Administer a dose of intravenous antibiotics
• Apply pressure to the biopsy site
• Use heating pad at site on low setting

      3. Apply pressure to the biopsy site.

Applying pressure to the biopsy site helps prevent hemorrhage and facilitates clot formation. Elevating the extremity and administering antibiotics are not generally the priority interventions post-bone marrow biopsy. Ice packs, not heat, can be used for short periods of time for tenderness.

Which nursing intervention is essential in caring for a client diagnosed with compartment syndrome?

• Apply ice to the affected extremity.
• Elevate the affected limb above heart level.
• Loosen or remove the tight bandage or cast.
• Alert the Rapid Response Team.

       3. Loosen or remove the tight bandage or cast.

Compartment syndrome is caused by increased pressure within a muscle compartment, which can compromise circulation to the area. If a tight bandage or cast is contributing to the pressure, it should be loosened or removed to alleviate the pressure. The other answers could potentially worsen the condition. The Rapid Response Team is notified for imminent deterioration, which this client is not manifesting

The nurse cares for a client diagnosed with pyelonephritis. Which nursing intervention does the nurse include in the plan of care?

• Encourage fluid restriction.
• Administer prescribed antibiotics.
• Apply a heating pad to the lower back.
• Instruct client to keep blood glucose lower.

      2. Administer prescribed antibiotics.

Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection of the kidneys that usually requires antibiotic treatment for resolution. Fluid restriction is generally not recommended; in fact, increased fluids may be encouraged. A heating pad may provide temporary relief but doesn’t treat the underlying infection. If the client does have diabetes mellitus, it does increase the risk for pyelonephritis, but no mention of this is given. 

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Nursing Cheat Sheet

Master the topic with a unique study combination of a concise summary paired with video lectures. 

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User Reviews

A report sheet (also called a "brain sheet") is simply a reference used by nurses so they can keep track of important information about each patient. This sheet is often filled out with key information during change-of-shift report and then updated as things change (and they always do!). The brain sheet is then used at the end of shift to give report to the oncoming nurse. Having a good brain sheet is key for patient safety and effective communication.

✏️ Download the Clinical Success Pack and get report sheets for ICU, Med Surg and Telemetry

Need more info on how use a brain sheet for report?

Here's what a Med-Surg brain sheet looks like at the beginning and end of shift. I'll talk you through each component in the video below (scroll down!).👇

How to use a brain sheet tutorial video

In this quick video, I'm talking you through how to use a report or "brain" sheet at the beginning and end of your shift. Watch to learn the components of a report sheet, how to use each section, and how to utilize this document to give end-of-shift-report.

✏️ Click here to download the FREE Clinical Success Pack, which includes report sheets for ICU, Med Surg and Telemetry.

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37 comments.

Nurse Mo, I think your website is the best! I will be starting my 4th semester nursing thru an ADN program. I’m typically an A and B student, but I missed the mark by 2 points for 3rd semester and received a C. Hopefully 4th won’t totally bog me down! However, I usually do pretty good with clinical, but this semester we will be on our own, so looking forward to all the goodies you have provided. Thank you for unselfishly thinking of us when you have a career and family to think about.

Good luck with 4th semester…you’ll do great! This is when it all comes together…you’ll be surprised how much you know (and also surprised at how much there is still to learn). Stay focused on the patient and TAKE CARE of yourself and all will be well 🙂

Do you have anything related to a brain for a med -surg floor ? I love the flow of yours and all the details, I am just not an ICU nurse.

I’ll have to look Becca…I think I have a link to a tele one…that should work for M/S.

If you are still looking, check out the one I have created for med surg https://nurseologyblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/26/shift-at-a-glance-checklist/

Hope that helps!

Would you happen to have a “brain sheet” that is more geared toward the respiratory system? I’m a Respiratory Therapy/Care student. If not, could you point/lead me in the direction where I may find one?

Good question! I don’t have one and I honestly wouldn’t know how to go about making one! The best thing might be to ask the RTs at the facility where you do your clinical rotations. I know I’ve seen the RTs at my hospital use them, but I never took a close look. Sorry! And best of luck with RT school…such a cool job!

I love your ICU brain sheets? Do you happen to have one I could edit? If not, I understand! Thanks! 🙂

I don’t…the files are huge InDesign files. Thanks for loving them, though!

Hi , do you have any notes biliary and pancreas disorders ? Can you post some please ? Thanks.

Ina…I will look! Maybe I’ll create a case study…been wanting to do that for a long time!

Is their a way to print these? I would love to use these for my handoff 🙂

Hi, is there anyway you can make a labor and delivery one? Im a new l&d nurse and still trying to come up with a more organized way to receive and give report

Hi Celeste! I would have to get help from my L&D friends as I have NO IDEA what sorts of things you need on a brain sheet. If anyone wants to share their insight, I’d be happy to!

Love it. Doesnt quite work for ED. Reiterates the difference between ED and ICU brains to me though. WELL DONE!!

Oh yeah…ED IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT! I’d love to create a brain sheet for the ED, but what I was thinking was make it 4 to a page so you can essentially cut them out into small little “mini brains” to write down just the key info….then toss when that pt leaves. How many patients do you think you see in a day? I imagine it can be a lot!

This is one of the best peripheral brains I have seen. I recently transferred from ED where I was able to keep all that chaos bottled inside my head. The ICU is a completely different animal and I am afraid my poor brain will overload with trying to remember all the labs and vent settings, gtts, etc. Love this brain!

Do you have a link to open these on a word document? I like typing and it would be great to have this there!

Sorry…I don’t use Word 🙁 All my items are created using design programs, but it’s so easy to make your own! I highly encourage people to make their own brain sheets since they will work the way YOUR brain works 🙂

Hey I was wondering if you have a word document copy of this. I would really like to type up my report because my handwriting looks like I am having a seizure during report lol

I would love a copy of the run shift, I work the tele floor and haven’t found one that really suits my needs yet.

Hello! do you have a brain sheet or anything to keep me organized during my shift, I am a new nurse working in the NICU. Thank you!

I don’t have one specific to the NICU, but you could start with the one-patient sheet and then adjust it for your needs. I know there are specific NICU things that don’t apply to adults…let me ask some NICU nurses and see what they suggest 🙂

Nurse Mo, could you please make a “key” for your medsurg brain sheet or show an example of a completed sheet?

Hi Alison…that’s a great idea! In the meantime, please check out my latest podcast episode where I talk you through this sheet step-by-step! https://straightanursingstudent.com/episode108/

Do you have Icu brain for PM shift?

This is the only one I have…I used it for days and NOCs. Are you referring to the run sheet with the time slots on it? It’s possible I have one…send me an email 🙂

Nurse Mo! I’ve been a listener for 2 semesters now and I love your content. It’s detailed and to the point. I get to listen before my lectures so I have an idea of how the content will flow. It’s been helping me through each semester. I’m currently in my last semester doing A LOT of critical care content. My plan is to be somewhere in the Pediatrics, specifically Cardiac. Thanks for being my cheerleader and virtual supporter!

Hi Diana…thanks for the thoughtful feedback! So glad the podcast is helping you!

Hi Nurse Mo! I’m heading into a surgical rotation and would love to use the brain sheet particular to this rotation…when I go to the Etsy link it tells me that this item is no longer available :(. Could you point me in the correct direction for one? Love, love your podcasts!

Hi Monica – the closest one I have currently is the Telemetry Brain – I think you could use that one just fine! And, since many patients on a surgical unit are on telemetry monitoring, you’ll be covered 🙂 Good luck in your surgical rotation!

hello I am a nurse from a non English country, Is the Giving End-of-Shift Report: Episode 7 podcast transcript available?

Not a transcript, but this may help! https://straightanursingstudent.com/be-an-end-of-shift-report-rockstar/

Hi there! I found you through your PACU episode on your podcast! I’m an ICU RN transitioning to PACU. I don’t normally use a template for a brain but with the high pt turnover in the PACU and the frequent reports with anesthesia and OR (and unfamiliar anesthesia/reversal meds), I’m thinking I might need one at the beginning. Do you have a PACU brain or link? Thanks for your episode! Really enjoyed it.

Hi Sophia…welcome to The Good Life 🙂 You’ll LOVE PACU! It’s so great for so many reasons! When I first started I did make a little brain sheet but as I got more experience I realized what I actually needed to write down for my patients and I just do that on the fly.

When we get our patient assignments, they come on a slip of paper that’s about 8.5 inches wide and 4 inches tall. I turn that over and place it vertically…I then create three equal sections.

In the top section I write any PMH that’s relevant to me in the PACU. If they take any meds I need to know about I jot those down here as well. This is also where I include any allergies.

The middle section is for surgery…I write down what meds ANES gave, how long the surgery was (patients often ask, so I like to have it handy), any drains that were added, dressings, blood products, EBL, IVF intake and output (if they had a Foley).

The bottom section is for PACU. On the right side I write my standard to-do list “EKG strip, orders (to remember to get orders if I don’t have them yet), IV Fluids, Care plan, Education, Out note (upon transer). I’ll also add anything specific for that patient like a glucose POC, 12-lead, arm sling, abd binder, x-ray, labs, neuro checks, etc…

And the rest of that bottom section is where I jot down any notes that I’ll need to convey in report.

Easy peasy! I hope that helps!

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