cell phones in clinic

[Margaret K. Stephen]

This is my first full year as a school nurse so I might be posting a lot like this. I appreciate any feedback.

How do you manage cell phones in your clinic?

I work at a high school. Students often use their phones while "resting" with an ice pack, a heating pad, etc. (If they are there for a headache, I do tell them to put it away.) I want to crack down on this. Some kiddos are getting too comfortable and I want to get them back to class.

What are your policies? How do you enforce them in your clinic? What hasn't worked for you in the past?

Thanks!

MKS

[palli]

No cell phone at all. if you feel sick enough to be here, then you are too sick to use your phone. it stays at my desk, if you give me any lip about it then obviously you ar well enough to give me lip...go back to class...

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

No phones. If I'm unable to reach parents I will allow them to use their phone to text/call. Sometimes parents ignore me and pick up on the first ring with their children.

[dosharn, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Positively no phones or computers. An exception is, like mentioned, to allow a student to look up an alternative contact number, or to use the cellphone to call home. You'll find it amazing the amount of parents that won't answer the phone when they see it is the school on caller ID.

[AutumnDraidean]

As a sub I'm in a difficult position, I follow the policy of the school where dictated. Left to my own devices, if I know what the student is out of and it's not an actual class, but a study hall, I turn a blind eye. If they are out of, say, math? no, no cell phone, go back to class!

If I don't have access to where they belong then they're out of luck.

[SN43]

My school has a no cell phone policy so I remind them of that. However there are times that I ask them to get their cell phone - sometimes I am unable to reach a parent, and they have additional numbers or the parent more easily responds to the child's text to call the nurse. Other than that, while in my office for confidentiality reasons and to be consistent with the school policy, I do not permit their use.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

no phone! if I ask the child to get their phone and call / text a parent then it's a different story or if they are waititng and they get a call from their parent, i will usually allow them to answer, but no sitting and playing on their phone.

[3peas]

I let them use them while they rest because I determine if they need to rest. I'm going to pick my battles and that is one I'm not willing to pick.

[peacockblue]

Our students are allowed phones at all times so of course that extends to the health office. They also have iPads that they carry at all times.

[Nurse Des, RN]

I work in an elementary school, so this isn't as prevalent of an issue for me. Sometimes if the kids are waiting FOREVER for their parents to come get them I let them use their phone or I give them my phone to watch Netflix or something. I understand it is boring in the clinic. I also have a diabetic with poorly controlled blood sugar who comes to the clinic A LOT when it's too high or too low, and I let her use her phone so she's not chatting my ear off while I'm trying to work. I also had a kid come who had a huge rash starting from the neck down. His mom was a nurse herself and I wanted to show her a picture of what it looked like, so I had him get his phone so I could take a picture of it and he could text it to her. Those are the only situations I've allowed a phone. I would not let just anyone have their phone when they're just resting.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

I had a basket where kids placed their cel phones when I was in the HS setting. It is a determinant of illness - if you can survive 20 minutes without your cel phone you must be sick (or really in need of rest). I envision a chart a la the Whaley and Wong faces..... how many minutes could s/he go without cel phone usage?