At work I push around a lap top that is on a cart with wheels 9-13 hours a day. I record all infomation, MARs are there, orders completed there, etc. Now, my hospital wants all nurses to carry phones. I carried one yesterday and in 1 med pass in 1 room I was called 5 times on the phone and had to start the medication pass in that room 5 times.
I have MD's calling and asking me privacy information on the phone as I am in another patients room.
While in patient rooms, I hear nurses in hallways now talking about Mrs "Jones" diarrhea and Mr "Jones" new orders for meds, procedures and psych problems.
I'm just wondering why nursing has turned to this?
I spend more time in front of a computer and on my "cell":uhoh3: than with the patients!
Does all of this really help us? How do I juggle patient care and privacy when my hospital is doing everything it can to put me in a bad position to accidently disclose information?
I feel the nursing station is the appropriate place to discuss information quietly. Dashing down the hall way with some rushed MD on the line complaining that they have to listen to you run clear down the hall to get to a chart for information is not my idea of helpful at all.
I just left hospital nursing, but we had the phones too. I couldn't imagine working without it though. It was a 47 bed unit and we were able to answer call lights and answer calls from docs outside of the hospital and also from anyone in the hospital. It could be annoying but we were able to answer call lights much quicker than if we didn't have phones. Our secretaries don't answer call lights either. Too many patients on our floor for 1 or 2 secretaries to handle, IMO.
I wouldn't mind the cows so much if we had a nurse-friendly charting system. But, with the 60-some forms, duplication, and downtime that occurs on weekly, unscheduled basis it's not possible to use a cow in a patient room.
With all that, I sure don't want people interrupting me with cell phone calls all day long.
jenrninmi, MSN, RN
1,976 Posts
I just left hospital nursing, but we had the phones too. I couldn't imagine working without it though. It was a 47 bed unit and we were able to answer call lights and answer calls from docs outside of the hospital and also from anyone in the hospital. It could be annoying but we were able to answer call lights much quicker than if we didn't have phones. Our secretaries don't answer call lights either. Too many patients on our floor for 1 or 2 secretaries to handle, IMO.