I asked the tech to take 5-10 minutes of her time to walk my very sweet patient when she got him out of the bathroom. I go in his room a half hour later and he tells me she didn't even offer to walk with him. Mind you this is a frail 89-year-old who isn't going to be able to walk very far so it would only take a few minutes. So, even though I'm behind as all get out, I walk with him. No less than 15 minutes later I walk past the nurses station and this tech is on Facebook--I wanted to wring her neck.
Don't get me wrong I work with many wonderful techs but I could do without this one--burns me up--she had only been on the clock 2 whole hours so I was very glad that she already had time to check Facebook!
Now that I got that off my chest I can go to bed without stewing about it. Goodnight folks.
A few years back I inherited an office and the computer that went with it from a young just out of school engineer. When I tried to get into websites that I regularly used as part of my job I found the internet access for that work station was so restricted that I was unable to do do over half of my usual duties. When I contacted IT they told me it was because "Troy" had spent large amounts of time researching new cell phone plans, ordering gadgets from Best Buy, downloading music, and social networking. I took me a week to convince them my name wasn't "Troy".
I dont know about you all....but here I have seen way to many Nurses tell aids to do simple things they could have done while in the room so that they can surf the net....it isnt just aids, the nurses are JUST AS BAD.
Where I work, the use of hospital computers to access web sites such as YouTube, Myspace, and Facebook became sufficiently bad that the network was dragged down to where it was noticed. The Info Systems peepz blocked those sites and network speed increased markedly. Each department/unit manager and director is able to log in and check to see who is logged on the Internet, which sites they viewed, and for how long they viewed it. Info Systems decided to not play "computer cop" and the deal is now between staff and their unit's management.
We do not ban the use of cell phones while working, although if the use of them interferes with the work to be done, then the individual is "counseled" (don't ya just love that word?).
The hospital used to use a "net nanny" system that had the big red hand.... it blocked so much that nobody could do any clinical research... the SANE nurses would look up something and be stopped right there because of an anatomical term contained within the site. Now they have the iPrism (iPrison?) system from St. Bernard that is set up with a bit fewer restrictions.
I am not (yet) a Facebook user/member/whatever; while very involved with computers at work and elsewhere, I have no desire to tell everybody else what I did today and with whom I did it. Rather than intentionally draw attention to myself, my preference is to stay below the radar as much as possible.
Were I work they are now tracking how many hours someone is on internet websites, apparently somone was on for more than 80hrs in one month. I don't know why they havent blocked facebook and ebay yet, they blocked myspace last year. However now that they are tracking our time, if will be included in our reviews and will be a reason for someone to not get their raise. It is sad when they have to post all over the department for staff not to bring in personal phones on the floor.
Although time tracking is something companies do, they are not always accurate to the amount of time spent looking at that particular site....for instance, In my institution, all those social networking sites are blocked, so is E-Bay, but many people like to look at the NIH site and those educational sites for health care professionals...we were approached one day about the amount of time we spent on the internet and it was rediculous, no one can spend that much time on the internet and get their work done....it turns out, even if you are not at the desk looking at the website or even charting with the internet window minimized, it is still counting against you. That was pointed out and their accusations were invalid to how much time we actually spend on the webpage looking at things. So 80hrs per month? how much of that time was REALLY being used to look at the site or just sitting minimized on the screen?
The hospital I work at has pretty much everything blocked so I don't really have this issue. However a few months ago my son had major surgery at a hospital out in Chicago and while he was in ICU trying to get weaned off the vent I saw one of his nurses sitting outside his room playing on facebook while there were 5 nurses/doctors scurrying around in his room trying to work on his post anesthesia issues. It really mad me angry as I knew everyone was working so hard on him and another child in critical condition that evening. I even made a snotty comment about it at the time which she of course ignored.
Anyway- my point is that it doesn't just upset those of us trying to do our jobs and expecting them to do theirs but it effects our clients and their families as well.
I dont know about you all....but here I have seen way to many Nurses tell aids to do simple things they could have done while in the room so that they can surf the net....it isnt just aids, the nurses are JUST AS BAD.
Not me. If I ask a tech to do something that I am capable of doing, it is because I am busy with patient care.
Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
My employer blocks websites like Facebook from our internet access. No issue with me. If I'm on it once a month it's a miracle - and I'm never inclined to check it at work.
The hospital I work at has pretty much everything blocked so I don't really have this issue. However a few months ago my son had major surgery at a hospital out in Chicago and while he was in ICU trying to get weaned off the vent I saw one of his nurses sitting outside his room playing on facebook while there were 5 nurses/doctors scurrying around in his room trying to work on his post anesthesia issues. It really mad me angry as I knew everyone was working so hard on him and another child in critical condition that evening. I even made a snotty comment about it at the time which she of course ignored.
Anyway- my point is that it doesn't just upset those of us trying to do our jobs and expecting them to do theirs but it effects our clients and their families as well.
Gabi
You probably should have made an effort to see her name on her name tag, then you could have made a comment to the honcho there or written it on one of those patient satisfaction forms. Obviously, this person acts this way all the time and no one has addressed the issue.
Actually they did send me a press ganey survey and I did mention it. I was probably a bit more irked because they kicked me out of the room and I was standing outside watching them hustle and scurry around my kid and there she sat on FB. I do recall a couple nurses or techs seeing what she was doing and not saying anything.
With the shoe on the other foot as a nursing student myself. I'm not sure what I would have done if I had been an employee there...if anything.
It's possible they knew there would be a huge scene if she was spoken to, and were too busy for the drama. Usually people who ignore emergent situations really drag their feet and get in the way if they are shamed into helping.
Now they have the iPrism (iPrison?) system from St. Bernard that is set up with a bit fewer restrictions.
Otessa, BSN, RN
1,601 Posts
They have blocked Facebook and Youtube at my place of employment.
otessa