7 Practicing Situation-Focused Handoffs in A Nursing Course (2025)
Angela Carter
I’m excited to share two teaching resources that align with our communication learning objectives. First, I’ve attached a Specific‑Situation SBAR example designed to help students practice concise, situation‑focused handoffs when escalating immediate concerns to providers. This example demonstrates how to structure “Situation” and “Background” succinctly before outlining “Assessment” and “Recommendation,” reinforcing clarity under pressure. Second, I’ve included a brief Voice‑Over PowerPoint that walks students through real‑world clinical scenarios, prompting them to apply situation‑specific SBAR in context.
Both resources are intended to complement this week’s reading on “W.A.I.T. – Why Am I Talking?” by illustrating how thoughtful pausing and targeted information delivery can enhance patient safety and team collaboration. The “W.A.I.T” concept resonates deeply with the SBAR communication approach: by taking a moment to listen and organize our thoughts, we empower students to communicate more effectively and co‑creatively with healthcare teams.
