texting at work

Emergency RN · Dec 4, 2009

...I will just say I don't care what anyone thinks. I will continue to provide excellent patient care, and text or study in my free time. Thank you everyone.

I would never use a phone in a patient room, or while doing any nursing related tasks, so what exactly are you referring to? I clearly said during downtime.

No offense, but both of your quotes here clearly illustrate your misunderstanding of one thing; that is, time. Whether you consider it to be free time, or down time, you're forgetting that it is paid time. The one that pays for that time therefore has the right to dictate what can or cannot be done with that time, so long as such dictates are legal and doesn't violate the law. The bottom line is, when a boss pays for work time, employees generally have to keep their personal business off their work time, or else they're let go.

Your employer has every right to tell you that you cannot use a cell phone while at work. The superb level of your care is irrelevant. Further, it doesn't matter what anyone here thinks, or frankly, even what you think. It's your employer that's going to have the final say, because he owns the time that you're functioning in. Thus, if he fires you for using your phone, you really have no legal recourse. If you feel that you're right, and this is something worth your job or career to stand up for; then go ahead and keep texting.

For me, my phone isn't so important that I get slavishly absorbed by it.

shrimpchips, LPN · Dec 4, 2009

I text at work, but not to a point where that's ALL i do. if it's slow and I have some downtime and ALL of my work is done at the moment, I'll check my phone. I'll also do that when I'm on break. Of course, the role of a PCNA/nurse tech is different than an RN/LPN...

Boognish · Dec 4, 2009

My assessment is that this problem is more related to the work ethic and professionalism of the "texters" than it is about the technology in general.

Agreed. Cellphones are a tool. It is up to the user whether a mobile device is employed appropriately or not.

Disco_Superfly · Dec 4, 2009

It should be a matter of simple common sense and consideration for others. I personally think it's rude when I am at an establishment and the staff are texting at the desk or holding personal chit-chat sessions with friends on the phone and ignoring their duties. I respect the privilege of being able to have my cell phone on me at work, but we must not forget that we are on someone else's dime. Our shifts are 8 to 12 hours long.. can't we go that amount of time without conversing with friends, relatives, etc? A good-night call from mom to her kids at work is fine. Five minutes on the phone with the kids/spouse/family member is ok.. but dragging it out and ignoring pt call lights, alarms, etc is just inexcusable. Quite frankly, I just think nurses should KNOW better and exhibit better behavior. I have always said that if your job interferes with your social life, you need to give one of them up.

allnurses Guide · Dec 4, 2009

Aren't there a set of downtime tasks that you can do? Maybe because I was raised Catholic, I felt guilty as hell about reading magazines, personal phone calls, etc., kinda like it was a type of theft if I didn't do something to contribute to overall work environment. Even if you are Nurse Fabulous, and run circles around your lesser compatriots, is it about just you? There's probably a ton of stuff you can do if you think about it. Restock supplies, update procedure manuals, re-organize stuff, help your co-workers, etc. I'm so paranoid about it that I started re-reading manuals for various types equipment we have!!! I know, not n-o-r-m-a-l :selfbonk:

I'm really trying not to be one of those, "Now listen, sweetheart, back in my day we, ,"blah-blah. . . :sleep: however, it does seem alot more acceptable now to do that un-job related stuff while on the employer's dime. Note: this NOT directed at people who use their phones on a break!!

Disco_Superfly · Dec 4, 2009

VERY good point.. No we don't have any particular assigned 'chores' at night, but it's not a bad idea. Many nights are quiet between the hours of 2 and 5. I am fond of finding things that need to be done, but yet if I feel like looking at a magazine, checking my personal email, etc I don't feel guilty because I do not take 'breaks'. I am available at all times to my patients and co workers, and besides that, I sincerely wish my co workers would pick up some of the slack and 'teamwork' could be better. A final note: You should not feel at all guilty for looking at a magazine or checking your email if you are caught up on all your duties and have taken care of other tasks. You deserve it. :bow:

Up2nogood RN, RN · Dec 4, 2009

I text at work, but not to a point where that's ALL i do. if it's slow and I have some downtime and ALL of my work is done at the moment, I'll check my phone. I'll also do that when I'm on break. Of course, the role of a PCNA/nurse tech is different than an RN/LPN...

Yes the job duties are different but the same professionalism should be displayed throughout all disciplines. Unless you're an MD or NP I really don't think anyone needs to carry their cell phone out onto the floor. My family has my unit's # in case of emergency and they know I check messages ON MY BREAK. We do text MD's but we access that through our computer system.

roser13, ASN, RN · Dec 4, 2009

We had our first cell phone-related firing last week. In direct violation of published policy, a patient care tech was texting in a patient care area. I expect/hope that the precedent set will discourage those who continue to surf the net and use their cell phones at work.

BVP910 · Dec 4, 2009

No offense, but both of your quotes here clearly illustrate your misunderstanding of one thing; that is, time. Whether you consider it to be free time, or down time, you're forgetting that it is paid time. The one that pays for that time therefore has the right to dictate what can or cannot be done with that time, so long as such dictates are legal and doesn't violate the law. The bottom line is, when a boss pays for work time, employees generally have to keep their personal business off their work time, or else they're let go.
Your employer has every right to tell you that you cannot use a cell phone while at work. The superb level of your care is irrelevant. Further, it doesn't matter what anyone here thinks, or frankly, even what you think. It's your employer that's going to have the final say, because he owns the time that you're functioning in. Thus, if he fires you for using your phone, you really have no legal recourse. If you feel that you're right, and this is something worth your job or career to stand up for; then go ahead and keep texting.
For me, my phone isn't so important that I get slavishly absorbed by it.

Thank you! :yeah:

DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN · Dec 4, 2009

My opinion is that there is always something to do. So unless I am on a break I wouldn't. Frankly, even when I am on a break I want peace and quiet. If there is an emergency my family knows to call the desk. That ensures it really is an emergency.

Also, I don't want my cell covered in goodness knows what.

I must be old school because I think I am at work...to work. Not check my texts, voice-mails or emails. Someone said they just take a few seconds to reply. So add all that up and multiply. Then consider if everyone did it and multiply. Then work out the cost to the employer. It is a bit like theft.

Of course, I always have been a hardliner.

belgarion · Dec 4, 2009

I carry my cell at work but I don't sit around the desk talking or texting. I carry it for one reason and that is because I have a wife whose condition can go south at the drop of a hat. I keep the phone on vibrate and if it goes off I know to check for messages the first chance I get. I DO NOT try to answer it when I am doing or on my way to do patient care.

A lot of people make the point that in an emergency family members can always call the desk and leave a message. That's fine if you actually have a desk to call. We don't have unit clerks or a switchboard at night. The phone gets answered by whoever happens to be available at the time. When it comes to personal messages a couple of the people I work with just don't pass them on. Last month a deputy sheriff had to come upstairs to tell one of the nurses her daughter was in a severe MVA and her husband had been trying to contact her for over an hour. This nurse is one of those who didn't believe in carrying her cell at work and the person who answered the phone when her husband called "forgot" to tell her she needed to call home NOW. She started carrying her cell when she got back to work.

I stated earlier that I can't stand working with people who can't put their phone down long enough to be bothered with taking care of patients and I can't. I do however see the point of people who carry them and use them in a responsible manner. In spite of what some here think, you can't cover all situations with one-size-fits-all. Every facility is different and you have to adapt to it.

allnurses Guide · Dec 4, 2009

belgarion;4005391]I carry my cell at work but I don't sit around the desk talking or texting. I carry it for one reason and that is because I have a wife whose condition can go south at the drop of a hat. I keep the phone on vibrate and if it goes off I know to check for messages the first chance I get. I DO NOT try to answer it when I am doing or on my way to do patient care.

Anyone who would object to that is out of their bleepin' mind, Belgarion. Best wishes for your wife.