Use of cellphones while at work

Nurses General Nursing

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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?!

Epi pens I have had are single dose only.

No some weeks I use four but some bad weeks I use up to 12. All separate occurrences

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

Wow, I cannot even imagine this level of allergy. I am only allergic to bee venom. Life must be one big challenge.

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

Yes 4-12 times a week

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Wow, I cannot even imagine this level of allergy. I am only allergic to bee venom. Life must be one big challenge.

It's the autoimmune lifestyle I guess. I also have aquagenic urticaria which I still doesn't fully believe is legitimate. It has to be something in the water because as is its just impossible sounding. It's been like this since I was a child and I actually qualify for permanent disability with my allergies being a factor but that IMHO personally would be my own hell. I need to work. I need to be productive. I need to be a contributing member of society helping others. Plus disability hardly would pay enough to sustain a comfortable lifestyle.

i considered myself lucky. I have met patients younger than me with far worse SLE and far more debilitating RA. I can walk freely and live my life to a pretty good fullest so I am lucky

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No some weeks I use four but some bad weeks I use up to 12. All separate occurrences

You use these on yourself? You have 4 to 12 anaphylaxis episodes in a week?

I think you need a new allergy doc. Yikes!

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

The rules are you are not to have it on you while on the floor. Best to follow that rule. Just because you don't access now at work, does not mean you won't be tempted and actually do use it. I have been known to confiscated phones after having asked the person to lock it away and they don't.

Now that I work night shift, I am more lenient as long as the CNAs are putting the residents first.

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Specializes in Flight Nursing, Emergency, Forensics, SANE, Trauma.
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.

I feel like this was entirely justified until you mentioned texting and going through FB. Work related stuff is one thing but sending "flirty" texts and going through Facebook on company time is not "ok." If you have time to do that, you have time to check on your coworkers and make sure they don't need help or checking on patients. You're not being paid to play on your phone. Just because everyone has it, doesn't make it right. And it's a old rule but it keeps us from going down the slippery slope of "oh let me just do this one thing", meanwhile call bells are going off.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

This is pretty standard, since so many people would take advantage if allowed to have it on them.

I've never had an employer allow me to carry my cell phone during my shift, not only could it be a potential HIPAA issue (cell phones have cameras), it's not hard for it to fall out of your pocket or get soaked in urine, etc. (I've had about every bodily fluid imaginable land on my scrubs over the years)

If you do decide to carry it, don't take it out while you're working, ever. The unit can always page you if someone needs to get a hold of you in an emergency.

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Specializes in SCRN.

Learn from this. Carry it - hide it, never take it out of the pocket, or leave it at your locker. What's there to think about?

I carry mine on vibrate, it has a pedometer app.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

So you are BLANTANTLY violating your facility's policy. NOT cool. Why are you going to need your keys, wallet and cellphone on you at all times? Doesn't make sense at all.

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?!

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Specializes in Family practice, emergency.

I agree with PP, this dependence on cell phones is a bit frightening... Can you give your family and close circle of friends a direct line to the nurse's station? This might make the transition more comfortable for you. Mine have this anyway, because I can't get to my phone right away and if yours is off, in an emergency, your close contacts are more likely to reach you calling that number anyway.

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We were also told that part of the reason for our no cell phone policy is for our protection too. If you end up getting sued by a patient or family because something went wrong, your phone records could be pulled. If it shows you were on your phone minutes before your patient fell/coded etc, they could use that to show you were neglecting the patient.

You aren't going to miss that much while you are at work OP. Leave your cell phone in your locker.

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