We text each other to cover shifts, for call off's, for requests and it works really well and is less invasive way of asking somebody to cover call offs.
We have been doing this for a few months and it seems to work well.
Staff will answer and say yes or no quickly where as if you phone they either ignore the phone or have it switched off.
Has anybody else heard of this or tried it out on your unit?
Staff say they feel less guilty when saying no, plus if they want to think about and then say no it is not as personal as a phone call.
We dont put any pressure on staff to cover but if they do we reward them in a monthly draw for a gift card.
That's a really good idea, actually. I haaaate when they call, wanting me to pick up a shift, if I don't want to. I feel terrible saying no. Would definitely be easier and quicker to text.
Besides, my cell phone is my only phone, so it wouldn't really be any different, since they've already got my number.
I read an article about this in Nursing2010...If it's online I'll post a link. Basically, they did a trial of texting via e-mail (most carriers have a way to send e-mail directly to the phone) and found that they filled shifts quicker that way. Also, since the messages went out to everyone at once, it eliminated the problem of those at the top of the list getting called every time, and those at the bottom of the list rarely getting the opportunity to pick up.
I read an article about this in Nursing2010...If it's online I'll post a link. Basically, they did a trial of texting via e-mail (most carriers have a way to send e-mail directly to the phone) and found that they filled shifts quicker that way. Also, since the messages went out to everyone at once, it eliminated the problem of those at the top of the list getting called every time, and those at the bottom of the list rarely getting the opportunity to pick up.
I kind of like the idea for this reason. If you're willing to be texted, great, you get the mass text at the same time as everyone else. Those who don't want to be texted get called in order. I don't think it would be fair if they only texted people, both should be done. Plus, there are situations when I don't want to answer my phone, but looking at a text quickly is fine.
What some of us do at my facility is write "NA" (not available) on our off days on the schedule if we don't want to be called. They know not to bother trying if it says "NA". I wouldn't want a text from work. Texts cost money, regardless if it's one or two. I don't have a text plan, since I use BB messenger.
I don't have a land line, and being a cath lab nurse my cell is what everyone needs anyway.
Not only do we txt each other about the schedule, call offs, coverage, etc, but we also txt the MDs. Yup. Not about orders. Just about stuff like when they are getting here, or when do they want us to load pts, etc
I hate talking on the phone.I am maxed out in roll over minutes (2600+) plus my monthly allowance. I just hate talking on the phone.
I have 1500 txts, so receiving one a day for a month still wouldn't be a problem.
Land lines are a thing of the past, lol. I don't know a soul who has one...even the in laws have cells only!
We do this at my job too. We have to text our boss to call off actually. She says it is the only way to keep in touch with us lol. The only thing that sucks is she turns her phone off at 9pm, so if nightshift calls off (11-7) the 3 to 11 person is screwed...and has to stay because if they just left, apparently that is considered neglect and theyd get fired.
We do this at my job too. We have to text our boss to call off actually. She says it is the only way to keep in touch with us lol. The only thing that sucks is she turns her phone off at 9pm, so if nightshift calls off (11-7) the 3 to 11 person is screwed...and has to stay because if they just left, apparently that is considered neglect and theyd get fired.
Yikes, that's not fair. No one has put up a stink to your boss about this? If she's going to use cell phones only as a way of communicating with her staff, then it needs to be on at all times.
yousoldtheworld
1,196 Posts
That's a really good idea, actually. I haaaate when they call, wanting me to pick up a shift, if I don't want to. I feel terrible saying no. Would definitely be easier and quicker to text.
Besides, my cell phone is my only phone, so it wouldn't really be any different, since they've already got my number.