This study was commissioned by a university hospital in the southern part of Sweden. The purpose of the study was to highlight nurses’ perceptions of advantages and disadvantages with written and oral shift report. Six nurses at a surgical somatic ward were interviewed. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed with content analysis at a manifest level. Subcategories to advantages and disadvantages with written and oral shift report were identified. The written shift report was perceived as comprehensive and the informants felt secured by being able to refer to the documentation. However the shift report was affected by lack of time and overview. The informants also found it difficult to express themselves in the documentation. The oral shift report helped to clarify information and assured that the information was understood. It also facilitated cohesiveness. The oral shift report could be affected by the nurses’ attitude and the information exchange could be inadequate. All of the informants believed the written shift report with a supplementary oral report to be the most rewarding and efficient method. There were problems with both methods of shift report.