Should nurses be able to listen to music at work?

[RockinNurse2018]

On numerous occasions, I've observed nurses playing music from their computers. Some of them are managers, which doesn't necessarily concern me since they aren't directly caring for patients. However, the other night, I noticed an ICU nurse playing music. The patient they were monitoring was obviously severely ill...on ECMO, CRRT, ventilator, many drips, tube feedings, etc. This did not seem safe to me, as music can be a distraction and with very critical patients, you need to be on top of all things at all times. What are your thoughts?

[Buckeye.nurse]

I've worked on several units in my nursing career that play music in the med room/supply room--usually top 40 hits or adult contemporary type stuff. It's a nice break for a few minutes from the chaos and stress outside those doors.

At the nurses station, we rarely if ever play music on day shift. There's too much going on, and too much getting up and sitting back down for it to really matter. At night, some nurses find it helps them stay awake, and usually the nurses working vote on what to play.

As for the patients themselves, we have several relaxation channels to pick from on the TV. My hospital also has a music therapy department that RNs can consult for their patients if they feel it will be helpful for them. The department also sponsors live music in the lobby. Several years ago, the unit I was working on at the time had a patient with Huntington's disease. She would get really stressed out, but would calm down and smile to Lady Gaga or Michael Jackson. I've also had several patients request that I play certain radio stations for them on their tablet.

Overall it's a really specific situation that depends on the mood and personalities of both the patients and the nurses working. But in general, I feel that music can be very therapeutic/helpful, and YES I feel nurses (using their clinical judgement) should be able to listen to music at work.

[It'sYaGirlK, CNA, LPN]

I wish I could play music while doing patient care on my Bluetooth but I like my job so no music for me! I do feel that music should be played in the break room it's soo soothing and that would be a nice break away from the chaos of providing care

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I just changed job and work in a small office part of the time. My cubicle-mate (we are within 3 feet of each other) has a radio on the entire day. I find it very difficult to concentrate let alone talk on the phone (which is part of my job).

I'm truly ready to quit over the issue.

When i worked my entire day in the ED, we ran around way too much to listen to music plus there was always something else going on....

[Julius Seizure]

I frequently used to play piano and soft jazz music in the rooms of my infants who had no family present. A lot of nurses thought it was weird (mostly due to the genre of music)...but my babies slept better than anybody elses.

[kakamegamama]

My thought went to the song "Rockin' Robin", upon reading klone's question.....now I can't get that song out of my head.....

[Guest849204]

Only in when no patients can see you. For example, I used to play music on a low volume while bathing patients that were sedated (mostly vents).

It unprofessional to listen to music in view of patients. Your patients want you to be listening for alarms and paying attention in general. Its just a bad image!

[Crush]

I play a soft jazz station on the radio while I'm passing meds. I'll play soft classical music while working the floor or sitting on a 1:1.

I've never had any complaints from anybody, the patients seem to like it, and it keeps my right brain occupied so my left brain is in charge.

Ambient music only!

Same here. I have also had patient's ask to listen to music or nature sounds and I am happy to honor requests too.

However, it all depends on the setting too. In ICU, no music as I must be able to hear any alarms, etc. At the nurses desk, only after asking if it will bother anyone.

[Irish_Mist, BSN, RN]

On numerous occasions, I've observed nurses playing music from their computers. Some of them are managers, which doesn't necessarily concern me since they aren't directly caring for patients. However, the other night, I noticed an ICU nurse playing music. The patient they were monitoring was obviously severely ill...on ECMO, CRRT, ventilator, many drips, tube feedings, etc. This did not seem safe to me, as music can be a distraction and with very critical patients, you need to be on top of all things at all times. What are your thoughts?

If it is soothing music like classical or jazz, it might actually be comforting to the patient. My thought is as long as it isn't loud and obnoxious, it shouldn't be a problem.

[hawaiicarl, BSN, RN]

If background music distracts an ICU nurse from doing their care they are in the wrong profession. Seriously .... monitor alarms, annoying families, empty IV bags, BP in the 50s, irritating coworkers wanting to gossip now these are distracting.

As an amusing side note we have a CV surgeon who demands that "Hot Girls" by INXS is played every time he closes, it is seriously hideous, but it is his good luck charm.

Cheers

[chacha82, ADN, BSN]

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[MunoRN, RN]

While there certainly can be an issue with a nurse wearing headphones that make then unable to hear what's going on around them, adding some music to the all the truly distracting sounds has been shown to actually improve performance. Keep in mind the ICU is not a place that is free from distracting sounds to begin with, monitor fatigue is a known issue as it is. Augmented that din of sounds with more pleasant sounds actually reduces the adverse effects of the unpleasant sounds on the ability to think clearly and efficiently.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

When I worked neuro ICU we frequently had the music favorites play on the patient's TV when doing a bath or even if we weren't in the room. It was nice. I had no problem with it. Now between calls in my office I listen to my pandora on my phone and have it low so I can hear all over head pages.