Use of cell phone apps on the job?

[SanDiegoCaliRN]

Hi everyone. I'm new here and I don't know if this subject has come up before so forgive me if it has. I'm wondering if you can use your cell phone on the job? I found some great apps on my iPhone that would come in handy at the bedside (particularly for drug reference) but they can be pricey so before I invest, I thought I'd ask some questions. If you do use cell phone apps while working, how do you prevent from looking like you're standing around texting instead of taking care of your patient? Also, I'd love to know which apps you guys find most helpful and worth the investment. TIA for your help (on everything - this sight and you guys are great!)

[GM2RN]

I don't even take my cell phone into the building with me. My family knows how to reach me in the department at work in case of an emergency.

However, I would think that cell phone use in whatever capacity would be regulated by individual facility, so you would need to ask your employer if you can use yours.

[loriangel14, RN]

Where I work we aren't allowed to have our cell phones out unless we are on a break off the floor.

[SanDiegoCaliRN]

We were never allowed to have our cell phones during clinicals and that made sense since they have cameras and could potentially breach pt confidentiality. However, I did see a couple of nurses in two different hospitals using theirs. To me it didn't LOOK professional but I walked by and overheard one of the nurses reading to another about a disease process and knew she was using hers for work. Since then, I've wondered how common and acceptable that was. Thank you for your responses...

[Ivanna_Nurse, BSN, RN]

I use epocrates... it is handy for dosages and interactions, and has lots of med math tools. The basic one is free! I do not ever use my phone in the pt room though. ~Ivanna

[meandragonbrett]

My facility does not care if we have our phones with us as long as the volume is turned off and that use of them does not interfere with patient care.

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

I use an itouch for drug references. I use it in front of my boss all the time and they have never said anything. I am allowed to keep my cellphone on me but not use it on.

[ktliz]

I asked this question of my professors at the beginning of my nursing program. The consensus was that it varies depending on the facility's policy, but you should never use your phone while in a patient's room. They require all their NP students to have apps, and were trying to work something out with the clinical locations who did not allow cell phones.

[nowim clean]

Iused davis drug guide tabors medical dictionary. I have used them bedside when I was explaining something to the patient

[Biffbradford]

When I was working outpatient dialysis ... I wasn't allowed to even have a pencil in my pocket! Enjoy your luxuries! :)

[Orange Tree]

I always have my cell phone with me, but I only use it as a timer. I will even use it in a patient's room, I just let them know what I'm doing so they don't get the wrong impression. It helps keep my "Q 2 dilaudids" from hitting the call button prematurely since they know I'm on top of it. Oh! And I also use it to check the weather, when a patient asks, since I only have to hit one button to pull it up. Old people love to know how hot it got and whether or not it's going to rain.

I don't use my phone to look up drugs or diseases or procedures because we have a pretty good information system on our rolling computers.

[GM2RN]

We were never allowed to have our cell phones during clinicals and that made sense since they have cameras and could potentially breach pt confidentiality. However, I did see a couple of nurses in two different hospitals using theirs. To me it didn't LOOK professional but I walked by and overheard one of the nurses reading to another about a disease process and knew she was using hers for work. Since then, I've wondered how common and acceptable that was. Thank you for your responses...

Pt confidentiality is one reason why staff at any level are not allowed to use cell phones. There is no way that I know of to make using a cell phone look professional short of going into the break room where you cannot be seen by patients or visitors. Resources in the form of drug books, medical dictionaries, etc, as well as online resources are available where I work, making a cell phone or other electronic device unnecessary. This has been the case at every hospital I have worked for, and I would be shocked if your facility didn't have them available in some form too.