NP's: do you give some patients your cell number?

allnurses Guide · Dec 28, 2014

I often do.

Sent from my iPhone.

aprnKate · Dec 28, 2014

Nope, I like to have separation from work and home. I have had patients call me for refills this and that I refused to do refills over the phone and have me bugged over the weekend when they can just see me in the clinic Monday. I have enough charts to catch up on the weekends to begin with. There are exceptions though for example, when you have to titrate someone's coumadin then that's ok. Otherwise, if they are having stroke like symptoms and what to do about it which you have educated them about during clinic; then they should adult enough to be able to make a decision to go to the ER.

scottaprn · Dec 28, 2014

I do but set ground rules. I tell them that the calls will almost always go to voicemail and they should leave a detailed message. I tell them it may take 24 hours to get a response (though it is almost always an immediate call back if it is necessary).

Only ever had 1 patient whose mother abused that system (the son was no longer a minor). I kindly left her a message that I would no longer be replying to future messages on my personal cell phone and to call the office and go through the process of the triage nurse and calls would be returned in 48 hours per company policy. Other than that never had a problem.

anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP · Dec 28, 2014

Thanks for responses so far! I can definitely see both sides of the situation.

Again was just curious to what some of you guys have done.

Jules A, MSN · Dec 29, 2014

I have on 2 occasions to the parent/caregiver of an child I was caring for who was a complicated case and the family felt as if they weren't getting adequate response from nursing staff. Both times it got kind of annoying with some things I felt were unnecessary but overall I would consider doing it again, just not often.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 29, 2014

My practice provides us with an app called Perfect Serve that provides for secure phone calls where our number just shows up with the practice name. The pts call a 1-800 number and they are then connected with either me or if I'm not available, the on call person.

I would never ever every (did I say never?) give my personal number out to pts/families.

Jules A, MSN · Dec 29, 2014

My practice provides us with an app called Perfect Serve that provides for secure phone calls where our number just shows up with the practice name. The pts call a 1-800 number and they are then connected with either me or if I'm not available, the on call person.
.

That sounds like a great service for privacy except that if it means all your patients are able to call you on the 1-800 number anytime they want. Yikes

mh0712, MSN, RN · Dec 29, 2014

I am not an NP but personally I would keep a work cell phone separate from my personal. Our pediatrician that I work with gives her cell out to a TON of parents and she is always getting texts and calls but she loves it. However, that would drive me crazy and the truth is that everyone, no matter how much you love your job, needs some separation.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 29, 2014

Our practice is absolutely huge (19 MDs now, PAs, NPs, etc.,) and we cover a wide area of central IL. The pts don't really abuse the line at all. However, they are aware that they might not ALWAYS get their NICE NP - they may get the MEAN doctor - lol.

Since our pts are not guaranteed they are going to talk to THEIR provider, its a crapshoot for them. However, they do get their concerns addressed.

AtomicWoman · Dec 30, 2014

I give my phone # to certain carefully-selected patients. I haven't had anyone abuse the privilege yet. I also like to text with patients. It's especially helpful when I am doing something like titrating Lantus and I need to know what kind of BG numbers the patient is getting when they do finger sticks.

allnurses Guide · Dec 30, 2014

Nope...never.....My practice operates as a team and patients can always get the on-call person if they have concerns. I always *67 before calling a patient back when I'm paged. I love my patients, but my life after work hours is for me and my family.