IPODs

Published

Is it appropriate to wear an IPOD while on the job, whether at the nurses station or in pt rooms, even if it is under the clothes and volume turned low?

I don't feel that this is okay..there is other things to worry about on the job...

I realize IPODs are portable, but isn't that almost like talking on your cell phone while doing pt care? I think it's okay to have one during break or something...but on the job?!?! Hmmmm....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No, not appropriate at all unless the earpiece is out of the ear. I know someone who wears one but has the earpieces out when with a pt. She listens to it while developing films. If the earpiece were in, I would feel like I wasn't being paid attention to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No, inappropriate.

steph

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rural Health.

When I have to work nights, I wear mine when I have no patients in the ED - but if we have a patient, it's put up.

It passes the time and I love to put it on and clean, which is what I do when we don't have patients......

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

A few people on nights in ICU would wear them when it was slow and they were just charting or during a.m. care with a sedated/vented patient, but they were "outlawed" when someone told the manager. It's not the most professional thing to do, but sure did pass the time and I don't think the sedated patients minded!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It really isnt professional and can be dangerous. We have to use all of our senses at work and hearing is so important--there are vent alarms, iv alarms, pt often yelling for help because they lose their call light, falls, etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, rural, ER.

no, not appropriate.

It is not professional (or polite) to talk to someone with anything in your ear; how do they know the volume is down? (I even get irritated when people leave their bluetooth cell phone thingies in their ears when not on the phone)

I have played mine through the radio (volume down low) at the nurses station on the night shift and everyone was fine with this (it was Christmas time and I had a great holiday mix) but the nurses in that ED were already used to playing the radio all the time. If the radio wasn't on all the time anyway, I don't know that I would have brought the iPod to work at all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Fine for the breakroom, but not any other time while working.

Besides, i'd be paranoid that thing would disappear at work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

IMO no. Too distracting.

Breaks sure, but when dealing with pts nope...;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR Internship starting in Jan!!.

I don't think it's a good idea when working with a patient.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with what Marie said above: it's okay for the break room and not any other place within the hospital. I wouldn't even where it to the cafeteria, since you might get paged on the PA system and not be able to hear.

To where this around a patient or around other nurses or doctors is very unprofessional and not appropriate. Now, I'm all for having fun on the job but I don't think that is a good way to show it. It's simply disrespectful to the patient since it would seem as though you're not listening to them when they're talking (even if you do answer when they ask a question). Beside, I would also say it looks sloppy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

I have one person on day shift and one on night shift that wear Ipods. I could not believe it when I saw it. :trout: I view it as extremely unprofessional. How will you hear IVs beeping, vent alarms, call lights, people calling for help, or even codes? :idea:

It leaves me with the impression that these people don't care what is going on around them. If the nurse is so bored that they have time to sit at the nurses station with Ipods on, they have time to see if other nurses need help or restock the unit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion