Should Personal Internet Use be Banned During Nursing Shifts?

[Anxious Patient]

How should we be spending our time during work hours? Are we there for patients or ....? Should personal Internet use be monitored/banned during nursing work hours?

Some responses

The internet is no different from books, magazines, and newspapers that nurses entertain themselves with when there is nothing to do.

If you're on the internet, are you the first to jump up & answer? Not likely unless you make everyone swear not to touch the machine until you can get back to it. It's not like turning down the corner of a page & come back to it later.

I look up info for family members, ie. Mapquest, or pull up info about books for them to read that pertains to their situation--death of family member.

This discussion reminds me of the times 40 years ago when personal phone calls were not allowed.

http://boards.medscape.com/forums?128@@.29ee8028!comment=1

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

we do not ban it, but we caution people to use it wisely and in limited amounts.

[Batman24]

I use the Internet for work related issues. I have helped patients get hotels, flights, etc. using it. They would never take it away where I work.

Many times we don't get a full lunch or a break and someone might need to jump on for a second to take care of a personal matter. No biggie if the work is getting done and it isn't being abused.

[twistedpupchaser]

Only some people should be banned, I always do the right thing.........

[truern]

Banned?? No.

Use limited to breaks and lunch time?? Yeah.

Maybe even down time if you're completely caught up and so is everybody else.

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

Banned?? No.

Use limited to breaks and lunch time?? Yeah.

Maybe even down time if you're completely caught up and so is everybody else.

I completely agree, but that last part I never think it happens on my floor. =D

[truern]

I completely agree, but that last part I never think it happens on my floor. =D

Yeah, I think I dreamed up that last part

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

We often have extended periods with nothing to do at work. We all are very good at helping each other out if someone is behind. If it's not interfering with our work, why shouldn't we? And obviously, if the websites are appropriate. It's not like we're going to go wake our patients up at 3am for a nice therapeutic communication session.

[makes needs known]

When there is nothing to do? There is always something to do when you are at work. Getting on the internet is different than reading a magazine.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

When there is nothing to do? There is always something to do when you are at work. Getting on the internet is different than reading a magazine.

How is it different? Both of them are non-work related.

[stressgal, RN]

We are allowed no "unapproved" web access at work (approved sites are accessable on the intranet per our VP of nursing). It is cumbersome when you are attempting to answer a clinical question, yet it could also be equated to a non smoking environment. When the limitations are clear: the policy is followed and disruptions are limited. It really does s*&^ when you are not an offender, but you have to understand the need. What happens is that tech savy nurses bring in their smart phones to circumnavigate the process. There is always a way.

[freedom22]

We often have extended periods with nothing to do at work.

I would love to know where you work!