Acute inpatient RNs: cell phones during treatment

[NurseRies, BSN, RN]

Just wondering what do most of the acute dialysis RNs do during their 1:1 treatments? A lot of places do all bedside treatments, and the patient is fairly stable, chronic dialysis patient, and has a 4 hour treatment, and is probably asleep.

I think reading a book is acceptable. Is reading a book on an iPad acceptable? Are we supposed to stare at the walls? I text my coworkers and bosses frequently about today's assignments. I'm on call a lot and get a lot of calls on my cell phone. What exactly is appropriate? What do you do to pass the time?

[RNewbie]

I'm not an acute dialysis nurse but I think everything you listed would be acceptable. I can't imagine what I would do for 4 hours. The inpatient dialysis nurses that I have seen will sit right outside the patient's room trying to look busy or sit in the patient's room and watch tv if there is no family and the patients are sleeping.

[DialysisRN12]

I am am acute dialysis RN and do all the above. As long as you're taking care of your patient, nothing wrong with passing time in any of those ways.

[Erikadawn RN]

I also do school work on an IPad and read and text a lot .

[Devon Rex, ADN, BSN]

Your priority is the patient and that the equipment is working properly. Everything else is secondary. Ask your Supervisor what is allowed/acceptable in your work setting during your "down time".

[NurseRies, BSN, RN]

Your priority is the patient and that the equipment is working properly. Everything else is secondary. Ask your Supervisor what is allowed/acceptable in your work setting during your "down time".

Of course! But there is quite a but of down time. And despite what I see some acute nurses do.. I NEVER leave the room, not even for 30 seconds.