Hello, I'm your nurse today: get off the darned phone!

calmone · Jun 27, 2006

Seriously. I am standing there, waiting. THey keep talking for a few minutes. Can't they say "Hey, I"ll call you back?"
aarrgh

I've had this happen as I'm sure every other nurse has. I just tell them I'll check back when they are finished and leave. Usually that's enough to get them off the phone in hurry.

Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2006

ROFLMFAO!!!! Stupid people tricks!!!!! Stupid People tricks!!!

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2006

I work ER and can't believe how many people yack on the phone the whole time they are there. I have called people from triage several times, consider them "gone" when they come up later and say, "Oh I was outside on the phone and didn't hear you call".

If I go into a room to see a patient and they do not hang up immediately, I tell them I will be back later when it is more convenient for them, and believe me, they go straight to the bottom of my priority list.

I even had a patient who was sending an email on the blackberry tell the doctor to please wait, they were almost finished with the message. That person was sent to the bottom of the pile as well.

I refuse to compete with the phone. I have had folks ask me to answer their phone while I am trying to put an IV in......nope, just not gonna play that game.

lannisz · Jun 27, 2006

How ridiculous!!!! If you're SO sick you need the ER then you should be too sick to be talking on the phone!

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 27, 2006

I guess their condition is not that desperate if they're busy with phone calls and page messages.

Chaya, ASN, RN · Jun 27, 2006

I see no need to be subtle; I just say "Excuse me please, I have your meds" If they can't tear themselves away, I go do some of the other hundred tasks on my list-I just don't have that kind of time to wait around!

Cardiac-RN · Jun 27, 2006

I had a post-op patient allowed morphine every 1/2 hour who was constantly on the light asking for it, but when I would go in with the medicine to give it to her she'd be on the phone with no signs of getting off even with me standing there holding the medicine she had been crying for on the call light minutes earlier :uhoh3: good grief.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 27, 2006

Rudeness is so rampant. I agree if they are so well to keep jabbering on the phone, why are they in the hospital in the first place?

unikuelady, RN · Jun 27, 2006

I see no need to be subtle; I just say "Excuse me please, I have your meds" If they can't tear themselves away, I go do some of the other hundred tasks on my list-I just don't have that kind of time to wait around!

:uhoh3: Just make sure you chart, chart, and chart that you went to pts room and pt refused to get off phone and have their care needs met at this time. Especially if it is for a timed medication or procedure. In my hospital

"CUSTOMER SERVICE" is the number 1 priority. I have had patients tell me flat out that I was there to serve their every need, and if THEY were busy, then the nurse would just have to wait! :banghead:

Then to top it off- if the nurse moves on to other work and is unable to "run" to the "too busy patient" complaints about the nurses attitude are filed and the "problem nurse gets counseled by management on customer service!":angryfire

valifay · Jun 27, 2006

That sux! It even worse when they have been hitting the light, driving you nuts, and when you finally get down to the room they tell you to come back because they are on a call!

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Jun 27, 2006

I have been in the middle of triaging someone when the phone rings and they just carry on a conversation. I just continue asking my questions...only louder... they usually get the hint. I once had a dimwit that kept right on talking and I got up, opened the door, and said...."you can continue your conversation in the waiting room and I will move on to the next patient"

Even people that are void of manners and social graces don't like losing their place in line at the ED....... :devil:

Nursing is not for the meek.