What is it with nurses and cell phones? Just a vent.

Nurses Professionalism

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Recently my hospital has upgraded or introduced multiple new computer programs that have required almost every level of nurse from bedside to administration to attend class in order to use the new technology. I have assisted in teaching numerous classes and before each we ask that cell phones be silenced and put away, that if anyone must make or take a call or text to please exit the room and return when done, and not to text while in class or you will be asked to leave. Despite this every class we have multiple violators and the majority when asked to leave are not embarrassed but become angry when asked to follow rules and be respectful of educators and classmates. I can't say it's any one age group since I've had 22 year olds to 70 year olds as the culprits. Sometimes I just have to shake my head at what passes for professionalism these days. This is just a vent, not looking for validation. Have a great day!

Not my opinion, try that in front of your boss and see how far you get. You are being paid to work, child care etc should have been taken care of/delegated before you took the job. IF there is an emergency, that is a different kettle of fish, but a kid arguing for a later bedtime etc is NOT and emergency. This sort of thing is one of the things held against women in the working world, can you imagine a man putting up with this?

Which is solely YOUR opinion, which unfortunately doesn't represent the total workforce. :)
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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.
Not my opinion, try that in front of your boss and see how far you get. You are being paid to work, child care etc should have been taken care of/delegated before you took the job. IF there is an emergency, that is a different kettle of fish, but a kid arguing for a later bedtime etc is NOT and emergency. This sort of thing is one of the things held against women in the working world, can you imagine a man putting up with this?

I have used my phone multiple times and informed my supervisor of why I needed to use it and she had no problems with it. I am in full accordance that you use the phone in an area away from patient care areas though. I don't just pull mine out for any reason, and when I do it's for a good reason.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.
Not my opinion, try that in front of your boss and see how far you get. You are being paid to work, child care etc should have been taken care of/delegated before you took the job. IF there is an emergency, that is a different kettle of fish, but a kid arguing for a later bedtime etc is NOT and emergency. This sort of thing is one of the things held against women in the working world, can you imagine a man putting up with this?

I've had to do it before, and explained the necessity to my supervisor or charge nurse and they had no problems with it. I agree that you should only use the phone in an area away from the patient care area. I am being paid to work that's what I do. However, my life doesn't stop when I'm at work, idk about you.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.
I'm often tapping on my phone but it's usually accessing one of the many useful apps or entering notes and reminders.

I was once scolded in an inservice... I was simply taking notes... and mostly the "instructor" was just peeved because I was posing pointed questions that demonstrated just how crappy was the product that they'd managed to sell to the hospital. The DON pulled me aside to scold me some more and then had to eat crow when I showed her my very detailed, fully searchable, notes which I planned to post on the intranet.

It's not just a phone, it's a computer, and a very useful one at that.

So true! Good point!

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I am highly curious.......Why? Why do you text all the time at work?

What is so imperative that you must feel impelled to communicate instantly and "stay in touch" with every single second of every day. Frankly, I find the idea of that exhausting.

I am not being mean.....I am really curious. Many nurses find it difficult to find time to drink water and use the facilities...catch a deep breath. Where are you finding the extra time to type and communicate...carry on conversations....with people during work hours.

It has been proven that distracted driving impairs you to a greater extent than alcohol...in fact many states/cities are passing legislation about texting and driving because of the impairment/distraction it causes........how do you feel texting does not impair you nor the care you deliver to your patients.

Although my teen has strict regulations with the use of her phone. I truly want to know....I find the obsession with the electronic devices...fascinating.

I completely agree, Esme. I wouldn't have time to text. I'm too busy.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.

"I'm special! My family is WAY more important than my patients! If I choose to text my family members about the minutiae of every day life that can certainly wait 12 hours, then that's TOTALLY APPROPRIATE! And it's not like I do it in front of anyone! Whenever I feel like talking to my family, I leave my patients, go into the break room, and text away! So it's a completely LEGITIMATE use of a cell phone!" *pops gum*

Give me a break.

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Specializes in ICU.
Which is solely YOUR opinion, which unfortunately doesn't represent the total workforce. :)

It would be odd (and probably unprecedented) if any singular opinion represented the entire workforce (that includes your opinion(s) as well).

But really, the opinion that will likely matter most to you will be your employer's, and while you can express your opinion on proper uses of technology in the workplace freely here, you may find a very different climate once you graduate and get your first nursing job. Ultimately, whatever your personal views may be, you're likely going to have to decide which is more important to you...justifying behavior that an employer might find unsavory or paying your bills.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

It would be odd (and probably unprecedented) if any singular opinion represented the entire workforce (that includes your opinion(s) as well).

But really, the opinion that will likely matter most to you will be your employer's, and while you can express your opinion on proper uses of technology in the workplace freely here, you may find a very different climate once you graduate and get your first nursing job. Ultimately, whatever your personal views may be, you're likely going to have to decide which is more important to you...justifying behavior that an employer might find unsavory or paying your bills.

You are correct. We will certainly have to see! ;)

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Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.
"I'm special! My family is WAY more important than my patients! If I choose to text my family members about the minutiae of every day life that can certainly wait 12 hours, then that's TOTALLY APPROPRIATE! And it's not like I do it in front of anyone! Whenever I feel like talking to my family, I leave my patients, go into the break room, and text away! So it's a completely LEGITIMATE use of a cell phone!" *pops gum*

Give me a break.

And now, to Windex my screen where I spewed my soda all over it.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Personally I think technology these days is a great thing and nurses should embrace it...as long as it doesn't impede patient care. Yes we use our cell phones during our breaks or during downtime - our supervisors do the same. I have even seen our nurse manager whip out her phone at the desk during the daytime. Again, it doesn't impede patient care. I have a lot of apps that I use as a resource on my phone. :twocents:

In school, the use of cell phones were prohibited for the most part. We did have instructors who utilized text messaging, though. I remember my public health clinical instructor telling us to text her once we were done for the day. We were also supposed to text her if we were done early to get the "ok" to go home early or to go to another site for another assignment.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Personally I think technology these days is a great thing and nurses should embrace it...as long as it doesn't impede patient care. Yes we use our cell phones during our breaks or during downtime - our supervisors do the same. I have even seen our nurse manager whip out her phone at the desk during the daytime. Again, it doesn't impede patient care. I have a lot of apps that I use as a resource on my phone. :twocents:

This is completely separate from those who whip out their phones when there is work to be done- I work with a surgical tech who, as soon as she takes her sterile gown off, pulls out the phone and starts texting/checking Facebook or email. Meanwhile, the patient still needs dressings finished, foley secured, and moved to the patient's bed. Most people only have an issue with the phones when they interfere with patient care. Breaks are something completely different- most times people aren't on the clock.

In school, the use of cell phones were prohibited for the most part. We did have instructors who utilized text messaging, though. I remember my public health clinical instructor telling us to text her once we were done for the day. We were also supposed to text her if we were done early to get the "ok" to go home early or to go to another site for another assignment.

Sounds like a legitimate use of texting, and it also doesn't interfere with patient care.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.
This is completely separate from those who whip out their phones when there is work to be done- I work with a surgical tech who, as soon as she takes her sterile gown off, pulls out the phone and starts texting/checking Facebook or email. Meanwhile, the patient still needs dressings finished, foley secured, and moved to the patient's bed. Most people only have an issue with the phones when they interfere with patient care. Breaks are something completely different- most times people aren't on the clock.

In this case, yes, it is a problem. As I mentioned before, as long as it doesn't impede patient care, I don't see a problem with it. In this example, however, there is definitely a problem.

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