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!

Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

I completely agree that it is rude to answer a phone call while in a meeting or class. BUT, I do not agree with the no texting rule. If I am at work or in a class and my kids need me to call home, they know to text me as I will not answer my phone while working. All I get is a buzz from the phone on vibrate only. My family knows that if they have an emergency, they must call the unit directly and ask for me. They know not to expect a quick reply if they text me. I check my phone if I have a moment and only after finishing whatever I may be in the middle of doing when it arrives. If in a class, I can answer a quick text if it's something important, such as: Mom, can I walk to the park to meet so-and-so?. I wait for a break for trivial stuff such as: Mom, can I have some cookies?

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Specializes in Allergy/Immunology.

It's funny you bring this up. I was in my BLS CPR class yesterday & noticed all the people looking DOWN at their phones, instead of up and listening. My first thought was 'please don't let those two find me in cardiac arrest' lol and, my main point:

HOW do they learn if they're not paying attention?? In any class?

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

I am a parent and cannot understand people's need to be reached every single second. If my husband is home with my son, he darned well better know what to do in an emergency, otherwise, he's not much of a parent.

My son or husband can wait 30 minutes to get an answer to pretty much any question either of them has. If they can't, they should be calling 911 instead of me.

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I believe answering calls during an appointment is rude and wrong, but I think the ability to get that text puts a lot of moms minds at ease. I'm a mother of three and I also have a grandmother who is sick with dementia and severe arthritis. If I get a text I will quickly assess it to see if it needs to be addressed immediately or if it can wait. I know my place when it comes to cell phones, maybe that's the problem, many people don't know their place with them.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
I am a parent and cannot understand people's need to be reached every single second. If my husband is home with my son, he darned well better know what to do in an emergency, otherwise, he's not much of a parent.

My son or husband can wait 30 minutes to get an answer to pretty much any question either of them has. If they can't, they should be calling 911 instead of me.

I get what you are saying. However, with my fiance, although he is a brilliant man, sometimes he make some decisions that just make me wonder about intelligence and common sense...

He will get upset if he can't find her bottles fast enough (Did you look in the dishwasher hun?)

Or if he can't figure out what to feed her (The fridge is full)

But I don't know how well I can trust that he would know what to do in an emergency. I have even asked him if he knows how to give her CPR or do Heimlich. Nope. And no matter how many times I tell him not to, he still claps her back when she chokes.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Those who have no experience of life without cell phones will never really understand how annoying and intrusive they (the phones) can be.Those of us who can remember eating a meal, riding in a car or taking a walk without the constant interruption of your own and others' phones will always have a different perspective on the definition of rude or unprofessional cell phone behavior.I once had a patient in clinic who stepped out of his wife's appointment to take a call in the hallway on one of those broadcasting phones - Nextel or something? At any rate the entire conversation about how deep to dig the foundation for such and such was being broadcast so loudly that all patients and personnel in the clinic could hear. It's bad enough that this guy thought it was OK (and in his mind it apparently was ok because he DID step out of his wife's exam room so as not to disrupt HER appointment), but when I stepped out into the hall and politely asked him to take his conversation out into the lobby, he was incredulous that I dared to ask such a thing. He didn't move until my doc stepped into the hall behind me and backed me up. Unbelievable!

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Specializes in ER.

Yup. I will say it. I'm not putting mine away. EVER. I am a mother of three and a wife and if someone in my family needs me then I at least, want to know that someone called. Sure. I will step out of the room and will refrain from texting or emailing during class but otherwise, feel free to fire me for keeping the phone out on the desk. Go for it.

Do I see the point in adopting the policy? Sure. Hopefully, the policy adopters also get mine.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I understand silencing phones and stepping out to take phone calls, but texting or emailing doesn't bother me. It may be unprofessional in certain settings, but in a group of my nursing peers I wouldn't think anything of it. Personally, it is more distracting when people are constantly coming in and out of the room due to such rules. I wouldn't even notice someone using their phone as long as it was on silent.

Texting or emailing may not bother YOU, but it evidently bothers those who teach the class. Therefore to text or email during the class is disrespectful not only to them but to your classmates who follow the rules. Do you REALLY need to be in constant touch?

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

If you are at work or in class, I expect you to have made arrangements for child care, or husband care if it comes to that. We all wear many hats. Calling mom at work to ask about cookies is just out of line, whoever is with the kids should be able to take care of that, or if too old for a sitter there should be rules set up so the kids know what they can and can't do in most situations.

Emergencies can call the desk, or the school secretary; my students have gotten urgent messages that way, and everything was taken care of. If it can't wait long enough to go through desk, then call 911.

Pay attention to what you are supposed to be doing! work or study, you should be giving your complete attention to it.

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Texting or emailing may not bother YOU, but it evidently bothers those who teach the class. Therefore to text or email during the class is disrespectful not only to them but to your classmates who follow the rules. Do you REALLY need to be in constant touch?

Yes. How would you feel if you got home from class, the house was empty with nothing but a note from your husband saying he took one of your kids to the hospital because of a fall or something. Yes, maybe not all, but some of us mothers need to be in constant contact. It is peace of mind knowing that you can be reached if something is not ok. I am not used to being away from my kids and I need that.

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I love OP for saying it wasn't a specific age range!

My phone is awesome, don't get me wrong, but I am aware of apropriate vs inapropriate times to use it. If I am not sure, I ask.

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If you are at work or in class, I expect you to have made arrangements for child care, or husband care if it comes to that. We all wear many hats. Calling mom at work to ask about cookies is just out of line, whoever is with the kids should be able to take care of that, or if too old for a sitter there should be rules set up so the kids know what they can and can't do in most situations.

Emergencies can call the desk, or the school secretary; my students have gotten urgent messages that way, and everything was taken care of. If it can't wait long enough to go through desk, then call 911.

Pay attention to what you are supposed to be doing! work or study, you should be giving your complete attention to it.

Not all emergencies can wait for it to filter through the front desk to get to you. I always will pay attention to what I'm doing, work or study but there are times I need to be reached. I don't think I could concentrate knowing that I couldn't be reached in case of an emergency. I don't really think my text on vibrate and in my pocket would interrupt anyone, I do however think the front desk getting the call to me would in fact interrupt the class.

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