Work Cell?

[_NaturallyTee_]

Hey just wondering, does anyone have a cell phone set aside for patients, MD/NP, etc to contact you, or do you just use your personal cell? HH is new to me and although I have one of those unlimited plans, I am thinking it'll be best to keep work separate. Any thoughts?

[nrsdolphin]

My agency provides case managing RNs, RN clinical supervisor s and QA nurse with cell phones.

[HeadingWest]

I can also vouch for google voice. I was given a monthly stipend for my cell phone and just set up google voice on my android. My google voice number was for everything work related which kept my personal number safe. The ability to set up multiple voice mail messages based on the caller was nice as well. Co-workers, the office, docs, family, and on-call each had their own message. Even though calls went to my personal phone I didn't answer after hours unless I was on call or expecting a return call. It worked out well and was never abused.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Boundaries, boundaries. I had a work-provided cell but even so did not give my number to patients. In fact, the agency discouraged giving one's cell number out. They need to be calling the office number. If I wasn't waiting for a call from an MD my phone got turned off at 5pm daily.

I wonder how those nurses who give their number to patients are not getting burnt out over all the after-hours calls. Yes, even for the patient who had a malfunctioning PCA, the on-call would have just had to make the visit. That's what on-call is for.

It's simple. You just turn the phone off after hours and record a voicemail saying "this phone is only accessed Mon-Fri from 9am-5pm. If you are in need of immediate assistance, please call the on-call nurse at (on-call number)." I give my work cell phone number to my patients, most of my patients' parents are younger than me and the only way to reach them is to text.