Facebook while on the clock?

[maureen924]

I am in my last semster and will graduate in December. During my clinical rotations, I have noticed many of the nurses, while on the clock, playing on the computer, checking their email and Facebook, booking vacations and such. I know I am naive and I am new and excited to finally be in the role of a nurse, but if there is enough time to be playing on the computer, there shouldn't be any patient complaints about the quality of care they are receiving. Is this a problem across the board or just in my neck of the woods? We all deserve a little down time, but at some point in time, someone needs to draw the line!

[wanderlust99]

I can tell you from many years of experience and working at many hospitals as a traveler, patient care is not any better because the hospital has facebook blocked.

[ShayRN]

The work computers are for just that. Your employer has the right to know what you do with their equipment. If you check your personal e-mail at work they can see it as well.

We have had a few discussions here on AN that this issue is discussed. You are at work and should be doing your work....We all know about "down time" but it is more than just "down time " these devices are being used.

Recently......As my BIL was dying and needed breakthrough pain Rx......the nurse told my sister to "Wait a min" as they stood there finishing their text message.......there was more than one nurse who did this........my older sister and baby sister are nurses as well........Really people????

I know....there was an emergency at home....they were checking on their kids, dog, parent, neighbor..... boyfriend. I know it was just for a minute. I know it is important, I know you are just looking something up......as you smile and giggle as you type for I always find medical research sites amusing.

Am I annoyed...the answer is yes. The is a time and a place for this activity. The nurses station or standing at the med cart isn't one of them. I am trying to convince myself that it has become a bad habit and that they are unaware how inconsiderate they are...how unprofessional they appear to the casuual eye. That they are unaware how much and how long they are buried in thier devices.

PLease Put the phone down when you are at work. OP as a new nurse develop good habits don't pick up the bad ones.

It is respectful of your employer and the patients.

Assume your boss can monitor any company-owned computer, PDA, or phone – and act on what they find. Deleted emails and computer files are not completely gone. If it was ever on your computer, it can still be found.

They may find out personal things that it’s just not good for a boss to know. Or, they may take advantage of being able to spy on workers.

I just want to add something to this. I was always one who was completely against use of phones at work. However, since starting my new job I was instructed by my manger to carry my phone so she can find me. I am also in constant communication with my doctor using text messages. But, I do let patients know that I am talking to my doc, whether they believe me or not is another story.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I just want to add something to this. I was always one who was completely against use of phones at work. However, since starting my new job I was instructed by my manger to carry my phone so she can find me. I am also in constant communication with my doctor using text messages. But, I do let patients know that I am talking to my doc, whether they believe me or not is another story.

That is an acceptable use of technology...however....it's the abuse of this technology that is offensive. As a manager.....I have no problem with technology but the texting/Facebooking/Twittering is against policy and grounds for disciplinary action if/when you get caught.

[Ntheboat2]

When I was working as a tech it would really drive me nuts to see nurses doing everything from shopping online to planning a wedding and looking for a house. One girl was looking for a car for a good hour and a half. They wouldn't blink when a call light was going off either. It was soo frustrating! I mentioned to my manager how the nurses would act when they were called on to help clean up a patient or you know...do their jobs..but she would defend her nurses to the death and say, "When you graduate, I want to see how you respond when you're trying to call the doctor, deal with this or that, and a tech wants to know why YOU can't get a patient a coke." I said, "it's not like that. I know the difference between a person being busy with work and a person who is on their 3rd break and eating cake, playing on their phone, etc. when I haven't even been to the bathroom yet!" I will never, ever be that nurse!

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Facebook is blocked at work. I will check it sometimes on my phone, but only when I'm on break. There is barely enough time most shifts to complete all the work, never mind social media. I'd rather leave on time.

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

These kinds of posts make me so angry. Sure, I will play with my phone if bored but on a 12 hour shift, depending on where in the ER I am, that may be...one time.

When you get your own patient assignment and you have the tech that disappears, the secretary that is friends with the tech that pages you for every ice chip the patient wants, the family that peeks out to ask a question every 12 minutes for hours on end, and then suddenly "catches" you scanning the hospital's newsletter for something and viciously attacks you for "not caring." PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come back and report to us how you "never plan[ned] to be that nurse."

[OR-RN2011]

I have never seen a nurse checking Facebook while neglecting patients. Work for a few years and then you can judge. I am sorry but I really dislike these critical nursing student posts.

[DSkelton711]

I simply don't do it. If I ever get a free moment I go to the bathroom! I think it is tacky to be texting or FBing where families and patients can see you. If I have an emergency I step into a private area to call. I don't text unless it is work related (I have a phone from my job). I assume that whatever I do on my computer--my boss can see. I watch what I put on FB even though I only access it at home. And my name on Allnurses makes me write responsibly as well!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I have never seen a nurse checking Facebook while neglecting patients. Work for a few years and then you can judge. I am sorry but I really dislike these critical nursing student posts.

Then you are very fortunate and work with a stellar group of nurses. I know it's hard to understand where the student is coming from.....all fresh and new, full of ambition and hope to conquer the world. To be the one to make that difference. They have yet to be tarnished by the harsh reality of what it actually means to be a nurse and just how hard it really is.......they are, at times, overwhelming...... and irritating.

But from what I have seen as a nurse, a patient, and a family member.....I find it more annoying at the large percentage of healthcare personnel that spend a majority of their day walking down the hallway looking at a lit up screen as if hypnotized by the glow forcing them to follow it's lead.......instead of making eye contact with their fellow man to in some way make them feel they are important in the hustle and bustle of every day life in the hospital.

As a patient when you are consumed by the machine and it is easy to feel gobbled up and alone in the abyss of paper work where you are a "hospital number please" and DOB......without even a glance up to make eye contact with ME...the patient.....as those nimble fingers fly across the sea of keys and your face is lit by glow of the computer screen. Look at me. So I think someone sees ME. I am scared, tired, in pain, frustrated, overwhelmed.....and I am looking for someone to see ME and at least make me believe they actually care.

As I have watched a family member writhe in pain from bone cancer the hands on that clock move every so slowly so that they appear to move backwards in time....you look out the door to see the line of employees leaning up against the wall as they are yet again mesmerized by the glow of that tiny screen. You want their attention but you don't really want to bother them....but you need them so you wait for someone to look up....you want to make eye contact so you can smile and indicate can they please come here.....but they never do.

So, you put the call light on...they are briefly distracted from the smart phone light. They look up. They roll their eyes. They look down again and finish their text...you hear them sigh as the begrudgingly place that precious lighted object into their pocket, roll their eyes and begin that painfully slow journey down the hallway to inquire "what do you need?" You tell them what you need.....as they roll their eye once again as they begin that painfully slow journey back down the hallway and retrieve the bright glowing object back out of their pocket.....to, I am sure with every confidence, return to their medical research and constant communication with the physicians.

The public and your patients really are not that naive...they are perfectly aware what you are doing. They watch your every move for they have nothing else better to do to help pass the time. The KNOW that you are the most important person to them and getting their needs met...they depend on you to look out for them. The one they trust. So on the 5-8th time in the last hour they seen you lean against the wall or sit in some obscure corner....they see the glow of that light on your face...yet again....it's maddening!!!!!

As a supervisor.....I know perfectly well what you are doing and how often you are doing it.....Like I tell my children.....I may have a lot of years on this earth and you might think you are smarter than I.....but I have been there done that and know better....bedsides I have eyes in the back of my head....genetic mutation from years as a nurse and the hormones from pregnancy.

SO .........try to glance up from your medical research and communication with the MD about important things and remember to LOOK at people as you go by.......glance in the room even if you are afraid someone will wave you in to ask you to do something........it is what makes them feel human and safe that someone is actually looking after them and physically SEEING them. This need for contact is what makes us human.....and keeps us humane.

[decembergrad2011, BSN, RN]

I don't agree that checking FB or email at work is unprofessional in and of itself. The nurse that is more concerned with her phone than her patients is a problem. But I meet my job responsibilities before everything else and do any non-patient related business in the safety of the nurses' station. I leave my half-eaten lunch to answer call lights and do the same with most activities throughout the day. If I have down time, I probably need it.

[OR-RN2011]

I do work with amazing nurses. Most healthcare professionals go above and beyond to provide quality care. Most have a serious problem and dislike for those that do not. I am sure if the student really looked she would see that. If someone is checking a text it may be to juggle family life, make sure the babysitter gets the kids or scramble to find care when the sitter texts in the middle of the shift they are sick. Life isn't so black and white. It's easy to judge when you have the safety net of a preceptor and professor. It is an entirely different ball game when it falls on your shoulders.

[mariebailey, MSN, RN]

That is a pet peeve of mine, browsing social networking sites & shopping online at work. It lowers morale. Earn your keep, yo!