Not that it would be used for anything but an emergency, but how do you feel about being told that you may not carry your cell phone while working?
Even if it's off, even if it's on vibrate. Even if it's part of your PDA that helps you get your job done.
I kinda feel like I'm back in high school. All the "grownups" -- docs, managers, administrators -- may keep their cell phones. But I, a lowly staff nurse (middle-aged, educated, professional, and presumably with decent morals and good judgment), cannot.
Personally I don't find vibrate distracting- nor is vibrate necessary, as it can be shut completely off into silent mode. What you consider "professional" I consider "daycare policy". I'd think that it would cut down on more productivity etc. if the receptionist were forced to field all of the calls that people could take for themselves by having their own cell handy but used in a responsible manner and kept on silent. Rather than a blanket no-cell policy- how about a "phones must be kept on silent" policy instead? If one does that and only checks when they aren't doing something else- then it's not a distraction to anyone- nurse, patient or anyone else.
Bottom line- if people aren't acting like responsible adult professionals- they should face consequences for their poor choices- but that doesn't mean that "the whole class" should have to be policed to the N'th degree because of it.
Your classroom situation is a bit unique. Let's move the scenario to work on the floor.
Your husband calls the desk, and the secretary either takes the message or catches you between rooms, you pick up phone tell him where the documents were or return the call. What is the difference?
Phones on vibrate are just as distracting as the latest cool ringtone (IMO) and infact maybe more distracting because the phone carrying person evidently is trying to stay "under the radar" knowing that any ringtone would be a distraction.
Now, it's been a long time since we've had these issues (my daughter is 21), and when my daughter was in the tweener stage and a latchkey kid she did call my wife when she got home from school. That's understandable and not excessive, but why can't she call your cell and leave a VM, or call the desk and leave a message? I'd imagine the content of the conversation is to the effect of,"I'm home, had a good/bad day. See you at 8. Love ya" She gets home within the same 15 minute window every day, you know the call is coming schedule your break for that time.
I agree that taking a phone seems childish, but if we refuse to police ourselves, showing the discipline, professionalism, and dedication that we all brag about why is it an issue? And by the way, it's not only in healthcare, I worked for a Railroad contractor and we had this problem, I have supervisor/manager/business owner friends working in the defense industry, real estate, motorcycle & auto repair, and janitorial services that complain of the same abuses. Yes, there are some exceptions that can be made, the poster with the husband on a transplant list is just one good example, other case by case situations exist but, they should be exceptions and not a blanket policy.
The bottom line is it cuts down on production, distracts the worker and the customer, and portrays the worker as being less than focused on the task at hand.
Specializes in Psych, ER, Resp/Med, LTC, Education.
I agree that there are people--nurses, CNAs....who abuse them. Of course phones should not be answered while in a patients room....regardless of what task is being done. However I think that as long as it isn't abused staff should be allowed to carry a cell with them, on vibrate. When out of a patients room and in a staff only place then you look to see who's call you missed/read the text.......and if necessary to return the call right away, an emergency, then you go and return the call on a hospital phone and make it as breif as possible. If not an emergency you wait and return the call on lunch or a break. I think restricting PROFESSIONAL staff like this is one of the reasons nurses feel disrespected sometimes. Not treated like adults.
Where I work, psych ER most of the staff has phones....many keep them out somewhere in the staff area...... if they get a call or text they may answer if not too busy, some keep them on themselves but on vibrate. They are not restrictive really as no one really uses them inappropriatly---
I did an 8 week assignment at Attica Correctional Facility like a year ago--a Maximum security state prison-- they did not allow ANY cell phones in the facility by ANYONE. Nurse, CO, big wig, dietary....no one. You could not even bring it in, turned off and lock it up in a desk or office so you could just turn it on to check for messages and turn it off...lock it back up and return calls as needed on the facility's phone. They would fire anyone who did not follow this rule. I guess its a security issue should somehow an inmate get ahold of a cell-- can make non-secure calls that can not be listened to so they can make escape plans...and with the internet on so many phones, they can contact people outside as well to set up plans........ this was so hard for me. I felt really out of touch being 1 hour and 20 minutes from my then 6 year old son. God forbid something happen while I'm away and his school or my ex can't reach me.
And it's true messages very often don't get to staff as they should.
I will say that the reception where I work is not great on my phone so my ex and parents know if they need to reach me in an emergecy to call the hospital directly but still I will have calls go right to voice mail and at least I can see who has called and call back if I need to.
But I feel as a professional and an adult we should get to carry a cell, on vibrate to be used appropriately.
I could understand that if it were an unusually high contagion risk floor- that would be a safety precaution- but I wouldn't choose to work somewhere that had that policy. That said- if it's agreed to up front at hire- then there's no excuse not to follow the rule. But if someone tried to tell me after the fact- I'd be looking elsewhere for a job.
I work in corrections and here nobody can carry a cell phone, not the medical director, not the warden. It's a safety issue because of inmates getting control of phones and making escape plans or coordinating gang/drug efforts on the outside. Here we have cell phone detecting dogs and they have found cell phones in the hundreds on the compounds which means they are getting them from visitors (with inadequate supervision and pat downs during and afterwards) or from employees (your average cell phone would sell for about $1k to an inmate).
This is a special situation, though. When I worked psych I carried a cell phone. So did everybody else. It eventually became a problem because people were paying more attention to their phones than the patients, especially when they were 1:1 for suicidal precautions or behavior management. I think they are a wonderful convenience if used appropriately and as necessary but not as a source of entertainment or a diversion.
My hospital actually treats nurses like professionals and has much better than average retention as a result. Other places should try it. I've never been given a hard time about carrying my cell.
Equinox_93
528 Posts
Personally I don't find vibrate distracting- nor is vibrate necessary, as it can be shut completely off into silent mode. What you consider "professional" I consider "daycare policy". I'd think that it would cut down on more productivity etc. if the receptionist were forced to field all of the calls that people could take for themselves by having their own cell handy but used in a responsible manner and kept on silent. Rather than a blanket no-cell policy- how about a "phones must be kept on silent" policy instead? If one does that and only checks when they aren't doing something else- then it's not a distraction to anyone- nurse, patient or anyone else.
Bottom line- if people aren't acting like responsible adult professionals- they should face consequences for their poor choices- but that doesn't mean that "the whole class" should have to be policed to the N'th degree because of it.