Internet at work?

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Hi guys,

I'm a Canadian nurse of 2 years who just wrote (and passed!!) my NCLEX two weeks ago. I'm so excited about working in the states! I have lots of questions, but here's one to start with...and I'm sure the answer varies by place, hospital, even ward! But anyway:

What is the general policy of using the Internet at work? At my hospital we don't have one that I know of... We're usually insanely busy of course, but once in awhile there will be a quiet time at night and I see other nurses writing emails, playing games, etc. I think they could get in trouble for that. On a break I might check my email in under one minute, and occaisonally_ email something (like the other day, emailed my friend in another town about the weather because I was coming to visit). Sometimes I think I should've even check my email...it's not like I NEED to. Other nurses seem totally unconcerned, and look up dating sites! I am aware that management would be able to check Internet traffic :uhoh21: I also use it to look up meds and things like that while working, but that would be fine. So...I was just wondering how it works at your guys' hospitals?

~Kait

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Specializes in Home health, Med/Surg.

Here we are not supposed to be on the internet for personal use, but everyone does it anyway. They can monitor traffic but there are no personal passwords so it would be hard to prove any specific person was using any specific computer. All e-mail is blocked here but shopping and dating sites are open. If a hospital really wanted to stop internet use they would require individual login and passwords. People wouldn't do it if it could be tracked to their name.

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Specializes in Brain Injury Rehabilitation.

we had one person get online one night and was promptly fired. I think it is a bad idea anyway-we shouldn't be playing on the net while working. I see in other places nurses doing that-if you are one-that is your decision-but I wouldn't. THOUGH-I can see how tempting it would be, especially if everyone does it. But in our facility, all log ins are monitored.

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I'm at work right now as a matter of fact. :devil:

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiothoracics, VADs.

I guess it depends on your institution's policy.

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Specializes in Home health, Med/Surg.

Me too!!:)

Everyone has been turned, prns passed, diapers changed, charts and MARs checked, assessments charted. Time to go to allnurses.

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Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.

I personally, wouldn't do it. I posted this, actually just this morning, how I have lost count of how many people I know that have lost their jobs due to using the internet.

Just because everyone does it, doesn't mean you should. Bottom line, if they ever wanted to get rid of you for any reason...a simple report from the IT department and a printout of the company internet policy is the easiest way to get someone out...an "everyone else doing it" is not going to help you keep your job.

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

I can get on ceretain sites,,,,,like this one,....can't be any worse than the staff who bring books, or magazines or games etc,...as long as the work gets done it's not a big deal.

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Specializes in Corrections, neurology, dialysis.

I wouldn't risk it. If it were me I'd keep a magazine or novel tucked away somewhere.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

We have to login under our name to get on the internet. They do track what people are doing. I don't use the internet at all unless I am looking up information I need to help my patients. Looking up med information on Micromedex. I have also gotten mapquest directions for out of town patients who are being discharged. Stuff like that. People have been written up for being caught on the internet.

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It depends on the institution. I know of one that does not care as long as the work gets done. Another that is very strict about it. Mine officially has a policy against it, but as long as the work gets done and inappropriate sites are not accesssed, it's allowed to slide.

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Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.

Our policy is very vague. We're not supposed to abuse Internet privileges nor visit any offensive sites. I see staff on shopping and game sites all the time, though. I don't visit those, but I do come by allnurses pretty often. I don't work in a hospital, though. I'm sure none of us would have the time to do this stuff if we did.

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