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..
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.
So what did they say about the watch phones like apple phone?
It is a shame that policing adult professionals takes precedence over the benefits in using a smartphone.
That's not the fault of management. That's the fault of the folks addicted to their smart phones and Facebook or Instagram.
I wish we had that policy at my facility. I see the Ward Clerk, CNA's and nurse's checking their FB page regularly. Drives me crazy as they are in a public area where they can be seen just sitting there checking their smart phone.
So what did they say about the watch phones like apple phone?
You know, I don't recall if such devices were included in what was presented. I'm not buying or wearing an Apple watch / other super high tech smart phone for my clinical nursing job. Maybe some day when I have another kind of job but for now, nope. I would imagine it's difficult to keep the watches clean since I'm sure you probably can't use harsh chemicals on them (my watch, when I wear it, is a plain metal linked band, but I generally don't wear the watch).
Hear hear! I work for a highly specialized md, we can see 50 patients a day. I'm lucky to get to check email on my laptop!!
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.
I do use my smart phone at work, but just for the calculator app, the flashlight app (that super bright LED is AMAZING), and the gestational wheel app (love that thing). Not for social stuff, though.
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
I've worked at some places with a firm no cell phone policy (they cite HIPAA as the rationale) and other places that request we use our phone to communicate with supervisors/managers.
One place I worked had a strict no cell phone policy. Yet, managers would text us during work hours.
From all of this, I assume that no cell phones is a policy that can be enforced, but really won't be enforced (unless you have a target on your back for some other reason)
Furthermore, I'm very accustomed to keeping my cell on silent in my scrub pocket and not even looking at it while at work. I am simply used to the policies that say not to use them at work and so I don't. But I do keep mine in my pocket.
I personally think it's an outdated mode of thinking. However, if you value this job (maybe you don't, that's ok), then adhere to the policy.
Up until about 2 years ago, my employer had a similar policy. They gave up. Too many moms pulling the "I need to be available for my kids" card. Which is fine (not saying that's a bad thing).
We now have standards about appropriate cell phone use. Like putting them in bags for infection control (which I find ridiculous but I do it). Don't be sitting there on the phone when patients are calling (in my case, babies are crying).
Specializes in Flight Nursing, Emergency, Forensics, SANE, Trauma.
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.
Minus taking a second to get a drink or pee. Yes. I work 100% of the time. I am an emergency department nurse. When I'm not eyeballs deep in my own patients, I am restocking my rooms, helping the other nurses complete their labs, ivs, or medications. I am helping transport patients to the floor, I am triaging, I am helping restrain psych patients. I don't partake in standing around gossiping-- I'm not paid for that. My husband calls the landline if he needs me.
And texting your man isn't improving your quality of care. That has no benefit to your patients. Again, I said I was supporting your use until you started saying how your partaking in social media and your personal life on company time :shrug:
My facility has a wonderful house physician that we can contact via text to obtain orders for labs, basic comfort meds (never any narcotics of course), or orders for referrals to specialist (at the direction of our unit manager, naturally), and to notify of incidents or change in condition (again, at the unit managers direction). We do carry our phones to send him texts and to receive return texts. Of course, it does leave openings for the phone to be used for things other than work purposes and for other floor staff to point out that "They can so why can't we?" So the Administration tends to look the other way when staff uses their phones for other than work issues. Even when one staff person answered hers while she, myself and our Administrator were picking up a patient off the floor. When the Admin. Suggested she get rid of the phone, she left us, literally, holding the bag. He then looked at me and suggested she be talked to, to which I agreed and added that would be her bosses job.
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!
I would like to think its okay to look up drug info quicker than thumbing thru the PDR. Also some hospitals use loppincott nursing app to help the nurses if they need more info on a procedure for example. My hospital doesn't have a strict policy but I ONLY use it for the medical/nursing apps if I really need information.
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TiredKitten
87 Posts
So what did they say about the watch phones like apple phone?