Are you allowed to use personal cell phones at work?

[DutchgirlRN]

Our CNO allows to keep our cells phones on us. If they ring we are to step out of the pt room before answering. It doesn't seem to bother the patients. They'll say oh I like that ringtone, go ahead answer it in here. I feel much better with my phone on me because before I did several times my family called for an important reason and I was never called to the phone or didn't hear my page. I tell my family not to call me on my cell unless it is important and I'm sure so does everyone else because I rarely hear anyone's phone ringing. It's a common- sense issue. Just wondering what the policy is in different hospitals?

[laurakoko]

I think our facility is investigating policies regarding no personal cell phones.

[MazieKarnes]

My facility doesn't allow it. When at work - you are at work - no need to talk to a family members...you are getting paid to work! If there is a concern or bonafide emergency (ie life or death situation) than whoever answers the phone takes a message and gives you the message and you call people back.

They use them at work but they are not suppose to

[Fiona59]

Never seen one used in Acute care. The only time I ever saw one used in LTC was by an NA with a big attitude, who always claimed to be on union business "yea, I'll be off at 11pm and bring home the double doubles" real business!

I always carry a pager set to vibrate, I worked casual at three different locations and it was just easier to give the pager number to the schools and child care for "emergency use only". It only ever went off once.

[weetziebat]

In my opinion, cell phones have no place at work. If there is an actual emergency, people will get in touch with you.

Where I work the staff are told to keep the phones off and check for messages on their breaks. Most comply, but there are always those who insist they need the phone availabe, cause they've got children and need to be available at all times. But these are the same people who get at least ten "emergency" calls a day. For things like the kids having an argument, or a child wants to ask if they can have some candy etc. There are times when these staff are fortunate indeed that I am not running the show, or the phones would be flushed down the toilet. :rotfl:

[JVanRN]

I work at a jail and we all carry them. I have it set on vibrate and I never answer it if an inmate is around. If I am in the medical unit I will walk into another room. If I am passing pills to the inmates, I will just let my voice mail pick it up. I have a small child and I work 30 minutes from my home so I want to be able to be reached if there is an emergency."

When I worked in a prison we were not allowed to have cell phones at all in the facility.

that poses a huge security risk if an inmate were to get a hold of it. to you and the facility. be careful with that one

[JVanRN]

LPNin03

is it a personal cell or issued from work...maybe you work at a different kind of facility. where i worked we had alot of contact with the inmates and one could have easily gotten to it...i wasn't saying that to be rude, just be careful

[flashpoint]

I keep mine in my purse and I keep it turned off. If people need to talk to me, they can leave a message and I'll get it when I get off shift. We're not supposed to have them on the hospital property at all, but most of us do. One night out power went out and the generator didn't kick in and about ten employees whipped out their cell phones.

[cabbage patch rn]

We are allowed to have them where I work and it hasn't seemed to pose much of a problem. The MD's and patients use theirs as well.

[cabbage patch rn]

We are allowed to have them where I work and it hasn't seemed to pose much of a problem. The MD's and patients use theirs as well.

[lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN]

If it's company issued for company business only, fine. People worked at jobs for centuries before cell phones. You have 6 kids and need to be reached in an emergency? That's why your kids know your work number. Everyone survived without cell phones before, why are they so dadgum important now?

[lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN]

If it's company issued for company business only, fine. People worked at jobs for centuries before cell phones. You have 6 kids and need to be reached in an emergency? That's why your kids know your work number. Everyone survived without cell phones before, why are they so dadgum important now?

[iombabe]

My company just started using Nextel cell phones...we use them so Dr's can call directly to the nurse that paged him and eliminate overhead paging and calls that are put on hold and never answered. The Dr's and nurses are extremely pleased with the set-up. The walkie-talkie part of phone is used between Clinical Managers, Nurses on other units, Dept Heads such as Maintenance,Hskpg. It eliminates alot of walking back to the nurse's station to use a phone and overhead paging.

As far as personal cell phones...they can be used during breaks, lunch only.