Use of cellphones while at work

[givxnchy]

I'm a nursing student currently working in LTC as a CNA this summer. The policy is that we should not carry or use or cellphones at work.

I personnally feel uncomfortable if I don't have those 3 things on me while I am not at home: my keys, my wallet and my cellphone, because if anything happens I'll probably need one of these things, so I always carry them in my pockets. I put my phone on do not disturb so it won't ring or vibrate. I'd NEVER use it or look at it while im on the unit, only during my break ofc. But today (third day of orientation), it fell off my pocket while I was picking something on the ground and there was like 4-5 CNA around me and an ergotherapist.

The ergotherapist was " ooooh you should keep that in your locker!! " and all the CNA's were really cool about it and told her that the hospital could call me ANYTIME (and they can), etc. I just hope I won't be reported for a thing like this.

Is it REALLY such a big deal to carry your cellphone even if it's turned off? I totally agree that nobody should use them, but I don't see what's wrong with carrying them..

What do you all think?!

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I personnally feel uncomfortable if I don't have those 3 things on me while I am not at home: my keys, my wallet and my cellphone, because if anything happens I'll probably need one of these things, so I always carry them in my pockets.

You will have to get over that if you want this job and the future good references it will provide.

Is it REALLY such a big deal to carry your cellphone even if it's turned off? I totally agree that nobody should use them, but I don't see what's wrong with carrying them..

How you feel about it is essentially irrelevant since you don't make the rules there. I think there is way too much dependence on things like phones and computers. I'll admit to being just as guilty as the next person.

My facility also has a no cell phone policy. I have managed to survive every day that I've worked there. We have these cool things called "land lines" everywhere that we can use in the event we need to make contact with the outside world. We have a program on our computers that we can access to look up drugs if we need to.

[FurBabyMom, MSN, RN]

I do not carry my phone at work. I will occasionally have it during lunch or a break (if I get one - and I do not work in an environment where it is permissible to just "take my break" - I'm in the OR and leaving without relief is abandonment). I have been guilty of coming in for meetings and not dropping my purse/phone off in my locker. Our policy only addresses cell phone *use* in patient care areas, and being at work for a meeting is not "providing patient care" (our policy does not address cell phones being carried by staff providing patient care, only our *using* them).

I have carried my phone at work before. The longer I've been in practice I do not. Cell phone records of providers (all levels - techs/CNA, nurses, PT/OT, physicians, etc) have been subpoenaed in lawsuits over patient harm, etc. Not having my phone with me when I'm involved in patient care means that even if I'm in a situation that proceeds to lawsuit over patient harm etc I will never have to worry if my cell phone records are ever subpoenaed.

As others have mentioned, I do not really want to have to clean my phone. I have a nice case for it, but still.

Our facility has land lines. My family, landlord, alarm company, etc, *all* have my work phone number to reach me if absolutely needed. I do put on there that if they call me it needs to be an emergency (someone is in the hospital and/or my house is flooding/on fire). If I had kids, their caregivers/daycare/school would have my work contact info for the purposes of reaching me if needed. We're not *easy* to reach at work, but it *is* possible.

I don't know. This is a black and white thing to me. The policy says no, so don't. It's like time and attendance. You either do or don't follow the policy. There are other hills to die on, and other things more worth a fight. It's probably more about the appearance of something than actually about the use.

To make it super simple: If it were you or your family being cared for - would you want the staff to even look like they were busier on their phones than providing the best and safest care possible? Do what you'd want done for your family. Obviously your employer has a policy so follow it. But if they didn't - you probably won't go wrong by doing what you'd want done for your loved ones.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I don't mind people using cellphones, but not when they're like "Yeah, I hear that my patient's cardiac monitor is alarming, let me just finish this Facebook post." Ummmm, put that thing away and take care of your patient! I worked in an ER where phones weren't prohibited, but there was almost a point when that changed because some immature people couldn't figure out when it wasn't appropriate to use them.

What drives me crazy is people who don't put their phones on silent, leave them on the desk, and then we get to hear whatever wackadoodle ringtone they have when it goes off every five minutes. I will silence those phones in an instant if they're left sitting there. That is just obnoxious.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

It's probably because I am too dependant of my phone! As soon as I will have my locker l 'll it in it to prevent another event like that from happening:up:

I heard on the news but haven't yet been able to find it on the internet but the psych field has coined a new disease called cell phone separation anxiety disorder or CPAD. Now let's see what drug the pharmaceutical companies come up with to treat it.

Hppy

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

This is only personal opinion, but I don't see a problem with cell phones at work IF they do not take someone's time away from their job duties (even one iota!). The problem is, the vast majority of the time, people can/should be doing something work related when they are on their cell phones. Not saying you, the OP, would do this. Unfortunately, in this case, however, you pretty much have to go with a zero tolerance policy. In that case--follow it! You are on orientation...it is pretty easy to fire you--don't let it be for something as trivial as having you phone out at work.

You mention you feel uncomfortable without your phone, yet you wondering if it is a big deal to carry it even if it is turned off? If it is turned off, why even carry it? Put it in you locker, check it on your breaks. As others mentioned, give your work number to those who would really need to reach you in an emergency. Otherwise, don't carry your cell phone!

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

I think it is a silly rule. A hold over from the early days of cell phones, before they became pocket computers. I keep my phone at my work station and use it frequently throughout the day to do my work- informal text consults with colleagues at our other clinics, consulting app-based algorithms and data sets to help guide my care, checking uptodate, etc. I also use it to keep in touch with my 12 year old when he gets home before I do, and for reasons completely unrelated to work or home responsibilities, like texting with friends or checking facebook or reading articles etc. I work hard, and feel no more guilty for sending a flirty text to my guy, or scrolling through FB than I would having a conversation with my coworker in between patients, or for taking a few minutes to make some coffee before I move on to the next task.

At the hospital I work at as an RN, we have a no-cellphone policy that is almost universally unenforced. Everyone has their phone at their desk or in their pocket. But rules are rules, and if your organization is still clinging to this rule, then as a new employee you have to toe the line.

[NurseNHowell]

We have to leave ours on the report room table. No arguments

my work would be out of luck on that. I'll leave it in my secured locker but there is no chance I am leaving it on some table. Pretty sure if it goes MIA the facility won't be buying me a new iphone when I cash paid for mine without any discounts or service agreement.

I personally carry mine in a FlipBelt and I keep my epipen in there too. My work has only one time given me issues with it and it wasn't even out but I was pulling out my epipen and my manager then felt it was her business with what else was in there. I flat out told her that it was turned off and secured next to my emergency epipen. Thankfully she decided to be a complete moron and focus on that she didn't think it was appropriate or safe for me to carry an epipen on my personal body even though due to my SLE I have some severe allergies and to all nuts especially. I was prepared to argue about allergy emergencies being able to get assistance or emergencies related to my special needs daughter but hey if you are going to be stupid then have at it. It had to go all the way up to the floor director who scoffed at her issue with my epipen especially since I use anywhere from 4-12 a week. The same nurse also has issues with wrist tattoos I used to cover with wristbands and now because of her I have to cover with band aids which means she gets multiple patients&families with concerns about the suicidal nurse. Eventually she'll give up and I'll go back to my wristbands... I can wait this out much longer than she can.

I also keep a couple hard candies in there and an extra pen.

[NurseMegP, BSN, RN]

I work where they are pretty lax about cell phone use as long as you're not face-timing at the nurses station or like someone said not answering call lights to finish posting on allnurses ;P ! I carry mine with me but rarely if ever even peak at it. I have it tied to my Fitbit to alert me to phone calls so I can see who is calling and answer it if I think it's an emergency, but as others have said, give your work phone to family and they can get ahold of you that way.

Fun story though! When I was a nursing student one of the other girls in my rotation had the MOST wonderful thing (note: heavy sarcasm) on her phone. Every time she got a text, her freakin' camera flash would go off! Are you kidding me? Talk about obnoxious. I really don't mind if I can't hear nurses phone's buzzing but on night shift the nurses always had them on the desk so I would hear that "buzz buzz" all the time. Still better than the flash!

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

my work would be out of luck on that. I'll leave it in my secured locker but there is no chance I am leaving it on some table. Pretty sure if it goes MIA the facility won't be buying me a new iphone when I cash paid for mine without any discounts or service agreement.

I personally carry mine in a FlipBelt and I keep my epipen in there too. My work has only one time given me issues with it and it wasn't even out but I was pulling out my epipen and my manager then felt it was her business with what else was in there. I flat out told her that it was turned off and secured next to my emergency epipen. Thankfully she decided to be a complete moron and focus on that she didn't think it was appropriate or safe for me to carry an epipen on my personal body even though due to my SLE I have some severe allergies and to all nuts especially. I was prepared to argue about allergy emergencies being able to get assistance or emergencies related to my special needs daughter but hey if you are going to be stupid then have at it. It had to go all the way up to the floor director who scoffed at her issue with my epipen especially since I use anywhere from 4-12 a week. The same nurse also has issues with wrist tattoos I used to cover with wristbands and now because of her I have to cover with band aids which means she gets multiple patients&families with concerns about the suicidal nurse. Eventually she'll give up and I'll go back to my wristbands... I can wait this out much longer than she can.

I also keep a couple hard candies in there and an extra pen.

You use 4-12 epipens a week???

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

You use 4-12 epipens a week???

I read it as she uses an epi pen 4-12xwk, not 4-12 epi pens/wk.

[NurseNHowell]

You use 4-12 epipens a week???

Unfortunately yes I go through anywhere from 4-12 a week. It's all you darn nut eaters! People will eat pb&j sandwiches then not wash their hands and roam around this blasted earth touching every single thing possible!! Like what the heck?!?!

the worst is my sister in law swears if you just repeatedly get nut exposures then you'll build up a tolerance or some ridiculous garbage belief. One time they insisted on hosting thanksgiving at their new house and assigned things for people to bring and I got assigned candied yams even though we drive 6hrs to get there and she said all dishes must come hot so I assume she's wanting me to cook it over a bic lighter like a crack addict... and we arrive to bowls of nuts all throughout the house and this biznatch deep frying the turkey in peanut oil. Every single dish had nuts in it even the desserts. She even showed up to see my newborn with her 2 kids eating pb&j and a box full of every donut possible that had nuts.

After my baby I emailed(and cc'd the entire family) just laying into her & her like minded husband and now supposedly she's scared of my and so is her husband which is my hubby's brother. They need to live in fear of me. Try to kill me fine. Try to kill my IVF miracle baby and this momma bear is going to go absolutely psychotic on you.

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

Epi pens I have had are single dose only.