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.
Our facility tends to notify us of everything via our hospital email accounts each employee has. I went to the DON and told them. I do not have time at work to read everything which is sent including updated policies. They kindly gave me a link which I could access from my home computer. That works for me, it is very convenient. I personally don't think we belong on the internet at work unless it is patient related. That is why I have computers at home on my off time.
I love the idea of lights go off computer goes into sleep mode... cool
At my previous hospital, the internet was used freely and with abandon. The staff there had a big sense of entitlement. They would gather round and watch YouTube videos and look at shopping sites, social networking sites and the like. I did go on the internet, mostly to look at the news or this site, but I felt like it was abused by most of the workforce and contributed to an unprofessional atmosphere.
At my current hospital, the internet is blocked from most computers. I like the atmosphere better, there seems to be less goofing off.
At my previous hospital, the internet was used freely and with abandon. The staff there had a big sense of entitlement. They would gather round and watch YouTube videos and look at shopping sites, social networking sites and the like. I did go on the internet, mostly to look at the news or this site, but I felt like it was abused by most of the workforce and contributed to an unprofessional atmosphere.
At my current hospital, the internet is blocked from most computers. I like the atmosphere better, there seems to be less goofing off.
It is better without internet. I worked at a hospital that had EVERYTHING blocked. Only sites you could get on were the internal sites related to the hospital (their site had a med. book, calculator, local weather and was the window to the company email).
Very few people use the internet responsibly. And, putting those that do aside, you always have the ones who spend the whole night on it.
I see no problem with internet use during break times, and if EVERYONE is caught up. I wouldn't want to see 3 people working their butts off and then one surfing away b/c they happened to be the only one that didn't get slammed that day with admissions or whatever. If everyone is caught up? Surf away! Just don't look at Media or other things that would offend others.
The problem is, Gooey, that in real life it never works that way. The internet is seductive, and most of us are kids at heart. Heck, I'm terrible at home in how much time I waste on the internet, it really does become a time waster even with the best of intentions.
I am guilty of wasting time on the internet at home as well. I see it internet usage different at work, though. Like personal phone calls. It is nice to call home and check on the kids, schedule that doctors appt, etc. But it is not cool to sit and chat for 1/2 when you have or others have work that need to be done. There were very few people I saw abuse the internet or phone at work. I guess I wouldn't want to see it taken away from everyone, b/c of a few people who can't limit themselves. It is nice to be able to order a gift or reply to an email or whatever and then not have to deal with it at home. I see your point, though. Cell phones had to be banned at the psych place I worked at. People were telling patients to hold on until they were finished talking on the phone, and acting bothered when they had to end their calls.
I think this issue should be handled on an individual basis. People who do not abuse the internet should not be punished along with those who want to ruin it for everyone. It seems that it is always the case that those who are responsible in their behavior have to pay for those who can't seem to do what they are supposed to do, no matter what the occasion.
We are professionals. Use it only after you have your tasks done for the tour. If that is too difficult than limit use to your coffee and meal breaks.)
Some of our systems for charting, policies and procedures, etc are internet based so they can't do without it completely. I think personal internet use should be during breaks and lunches only. We have a problem with a few people at work. They make airline reservations, texts, shop etc and at some point during the night if you give them an admit they will complained they are too busy. That's what burns me. I have also looked up things for patients on the internet such as the phone number of the hotel their sig other is staying at, directions to pharmacy. I no longer use a phone book.
The other day one of the physicians was on facebook, I thought that site was blocked at work. Maybe doctors have a get around. They can't tell who is on the internet at work as the computers are always up you only log in to use the charting system.
"The other day one of the physicians was on facebook, I thought that site was blocked"
OK, thats just............pffft.............outrageous. A doctor on facebook @ work. Probably flipping out on nurses calling for pain management reasons at the same time too.
I see it internet usage different at work, though. Like personal phone calls. It is nice to call home and check on the kids, schedule that doctors appt, etc. But it is not cool to sit and chat for 1/2 when you have or others have work that need to be done. There were very few people I saw abuse the internet or phone at work. I guess I wouldn't want to see it taken away from everyone, b/c of a few people who can't limit themselves. It is nice to be able to order a gift or reply to an email or whatever and then not have to deal with it at home. I see your point, though. Cell phones had to be banned at the psych place I worked at. People were telling patients to hold on until they were finished talking on the phone, and acting bothered when they had to end their calls. 
lpnflorida, LPN
1,304 Posts
Our facility tends to notify us of everything via our hospital email accounts each employee has. I went to the DON and told them. I do not have time at work to read everything which is sent including updated policies. They kindly gave me a link which I could access from my home computer. That works for me, it is very convenient. I personally don't think we belong on the internet at work unless it is patient related. That is why I have computers at home on my off time.
I love the idea of lights go off computer goes into sleep mode... cool