Internet at work?

Nurses General Nursing

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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

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Our internet has a filter, so we can't even get to MySpace. Even if we could I wouldn't risk it.

I confess to using the internet at work for personal stuff like looking up Allnurses, the news, my class, etc.

The internet has become my drugbook of choice. My hospital subscribes to be Pharmacy site and Lippincott. Google has been a lifesaver as well.

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Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.
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.

See, that is my point. If they have a policy against it, and they want someone out of there, trust me, selective enforcement will apply.

There is nothing during the day that I need access to that badly that I can't wait until I get home.

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It would be hard. We are union, and if admin tried to fire one person for it the union would be leaping out of the corner snarling.

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

Any facility that wants its employees to have access to the internet for work-related use can find ways to do that.

Personal passwords, etc, tracking use, and there are services which can block entire categories of things, like "entertainment." My facility (a clinic) even has it set up so that you can go on eBay, for example, but you have a daily "quota" of time and it's in 10-minute increments.

I think internet availability at work is so useful. It's quicker to Google than to pull a book off the shelf, look at the index, etc etc. You can print out articles, patient handouts, etc. I would hate to be without it.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

I think it's a slippery slope myself. Next time you are on the net note the time. Surf for what you think is say 10 minutes......I believe you will find you have been on quite longer than that.

With a book or magazine you can also lose track of time and I know certain people abuse that priviledge too.

IMHO the boss is paying you to work not to play.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Stay off the internet except for business purposes, period. that is a good general rule and will keep you out of trouble, as many places track internet use by time/date and user.

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Specializes in US Army.

Wow- didn't know how lucky I am... We have great internet access at work. We all have our own passwords/usernames, so our usage can be tracked. And of course all chat sites, outside e-mail services, MySpace and the likes are blocked. It's very convenient, best of all, no-one cares if I decide to check out the news, order a plane ticket etc etc. while at work.

Also most hospital information is disseminated via the official e-mail accounts, and all kinds of info such as call schedules, annual training, and formulary, or department contact info can be found on the local intra-net. Some of you guys have it rough. Hopefully one day your facility will ease up on internet access/use.

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The facility I work for doesn't view it as any defferent than reading a newspaper while on break or going outside to smoke. Certain sites are blocked, but we have pretty free access.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

No internet where i work. There are places in the hospital that is accessable but not on the general units. Actually, as any of us who have been on here very long know there is way to much time spent on the internet, and if you actually are "addicted" which is possible the time goes by way to quickly and things wont get done.

We just had a couple people get fired for accessing certain sites while on "company time". They didnt think anyone would know either.

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Specializes in NICU.

We can use the internet as long as our work is caught up. We have to log on but once we sign our "wise use internet form" we're good to go. I'm sure someone is checking up on our use somewhere, but I'm hardly ever caught up, so it doesn't much matter to me ;-).

In fact, we have a .net at work that covers all of our pt info stuff, meds, etc., so the only reason we would have a computer logon is for private use. I definitely see some abuse it, but it's usually not the nurses--they're really good about jumping right off when a patient calls or someone needs help. I'm glad we have that option; I've used it for school and to check my e-mail. Some shop, but I'm not sure I'd want my credit card number floating around the hospital network.

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Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.
I think it's a slippery slope myself. Next time you are on the net note the time. Surf for what you think is say 10 minutes......I believe you will find you have been on quite longer than that.

With a book or magazine you can also lose track of time and I know certain people abuse that priviledge too.

IMHO the boss is paying you to work not to play.

Yep. My dept. doesn't have it, but the other dept. I work in does. I can't believe the sites people go to.

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Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.

We do have an intranet to do cont. ed., get updates on things going on in the hosp., etc., but that's it.

We're usually too busy for people to be surfing, anyway. It's hard enough just getting everyone off to lunch.

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