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..
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.
THIS. At a national conference I attended there was a poster presentation that delved into this topic. It's just easier not to have it on you and for there to be nothing wriggling under that stone when it gets turned. This is the culture and climate we live in now...
For what it's worth - your facility probably has the ability to monitor what (if any) activity is completed on the computer (internet, etc). They can pull these records too.
Definitely follow policy. I got in trouble recently with my hair at work. I checked the employee handbook and made the change. I felt I was being treated unfairly by my manager but now that I know policy I can catch her! I'm not looking for things to get her in trouble for (like she did and has been doing with me) but if I see something wrong I will approach her about it.
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.
^^^This...
It's a privacy issue as well for patients. There have been articles of health care personnel who have violated patient privacy and taken pictures of patients and their health information without their consent (I'm pretty sure you won't do that). But the patient doesn't know that and if you were a patient yourself, you wouldn't want the people caring for you to have their phones out and about.
At my hospital, the service is so horrible for all cell phone carriers that almost no one bothers to carry their cell phones anyway. With the landline, you're guaranteed to not miss that important phone call that you anticipate receiving.
Trust me, it's not worth being disciplined over not following policy. Everyone, including administration, has to abide by the same rules. It protects you and the patient.
Nope. You're of the entitled generation who feels that your NEED to carry your phone 24/7 (as well as your keys and wallet--still having trouble wrapping my mind around that one) should and does trump the policy set in place by your place of employment.
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 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.
You spend 100% of your work day completely focused on work? Really?
I don't buy the slippery slope argument, not one bit. I can assure you that people are just as capable of slacking off when they keep their phones in their locker. I am a very hard worker and am dedicated to the success of my organization. I feel confident that sending a flirty text (hell, even keeping up a flirty text conversation throughout the day) is no different from the casual socialization that we all engage in, when the work flow slows down. Work is part of my life, and I engage in non-work activity on the job, just like I engage in work activity in my personal life. Equating this to staring at my phone while my coworkers bustle about and my patients wait for me in their rooms is just a straw man argument.
We are a tech dependent society. A large portion of my brain lives in the cloud, and the complexity and constant change inherent in science based medicine makes it kind of unethical to NOT engage technology to improve your quality of care. "Cell phones" are actually pocket computers.
I do think that in time, the cell phone policy will eventually change. There are so many great applications related to clinical practice and the mobility and ease of use cannot be denied. There are unlimited benefits to using a smartphone in the workplace- if it is WORK related. Research has not been able to support that cell phones cause any problem with equipment, we are using them on aircraft. So, that being said-I think the "no cell phone" policy is to police the staff so that we aren't playing on social media while at work. It is a shame that policing adult professionals takes precedence over the benefits in using a smartphone.
Personally, I wish this was more well enforced! I hate to see nurses using their cell phones (and some of them "a lot")! Mostly, it is NOT for emergency communication, which is used as the excuse. It is usually for Facebook!
I keep my phone in my car or in a locker at all times. I've seen a nurse fired over a phone before. Some management people are cool about it though IF you're using your phone to look up drugs or other references pertaining to nursing. Maybe, maybe speak with someone about that. Different strokes for different facilities.
Nope. You're of the entitled generation who feels that your NEED to carry your phone 24/7 (as well as your keys and wallet--still having trouble wrapping my mind around that one) should and does trump the policy set in place by your place of employment.
My pockets are heavy enough without adding in my keys and wallet! I can't imagine how it's comfortable.
I keep my cell phone right on top of my WOW like every other nurse in the hospital where I am employed. Saying you cant have a phone is like having someone say you cant wear a watch. What are we in the 1950"s ?
You spend 100% of your work day completely focused on work? Really?
I can't speak for that poster, but at my endo facility, absolutely I do. I cannot IMAGINE having time to"send flirty texts" or check facebook. Those patients are coming out like they are the chocolates on the conveyor belt on that I love Lucy episode. On the rare occasion that I'm actually caught up, then I'm supposed to be checking the Communication notebook, where we have to read articles and take little quizzes on them. If you're done with that, well, better start stocking the rooms. That's our responsibility on a daily basis. If I've done all that, then I'd better be helping one of my colleagues by taking out an IV, washing down a dirty bed and making it up again with clean linens, taking a patient in a wheelchair downstairs to meet his ride, etc.
There is ALWAYS something we could be doing at my job, to the point that I'm completely exhausted when I get home from the nonstop pace. We don't have chairs or stools either, so we are on our feet for the entire 8-9 hours. Facebook? Uh, no.
When I'm circulator at the private OR where I work, I often have time to surf for just a little bit if I'm caught up, the surgeon/scrub nurse doesn't need anything, I've pulled the next case, etc. Especially if it's a long, tedious surgery.
FurBabyMom, MSN, RN
1 Article; 814 Posts
THIS. At a national conference I attended there was a poster presentation that delved into this topic. It's just easier not to have it on you and for there to be nothing wriggling under that stone when it gets turned. This is the culture and climate we live in now...
For what it's worth - your facility probably has the ability to monitor what (if any) activity is completed on the computer (internet, etc). They can pull these records too.