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..
I didnt really worry about carrying mine on me til my mum was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
I've had a chat to my manager and explained why I carry it and wont be pulling it out for anything other than a call about my mum and they fine with that and certainly not anything non work related.
I also have a couple of medication apps and medscape which is a great reference app and if I want to document the condition of a wound it is also handy. (any picture are immediately printed off and the photo is deleted well by the end of my shift). Its brlliant I have a patient with an SCC that is going mutant. By photo documenting the wound, it gives her doctor a chance to see it without having to take down the whole dressing which is anxiety provoking and extremely painful for the patient
I work in wound care and we cannot use our own phone/camera to photograph wounds. Our department has two cameras, we take photos, print them off, delete them.
Even when I worked on the acute floor, we had a work camera available for photographing wounds or other things.
It is totally against our policy to use our own phone to photograph anything to do with a patient. And I'm sure there are HIPAA requirements regarding this as well.
As a nurse who started before all this technology, I simply looked up the info I needed on drugs or diseases in the books at the nurses station. Drug PDR, etc.
And family members had the phone number of the hospital and the extension at the nurses station in order to get ahold of me in case of something that couldn't wait until I got home.
Sometimes I think we've become too wired into wanting instant access and answers and just can't wait. I'm not sure that is very healthy.
I've had a chat to my manager and explained why I carry it and wont be pulling it out for anything other than a call about my mum and they fine with that and certainly not anything non work related.
How are you going to know if an incoming call is about your mom unless you actually pull it out every time it rings or vibrates? But since your boss doesn't mind, you really aren't breaking any rules, unlike the OP.
Sorry to hear about your mum. I hope the treatment isn't too hard on her. A friend just got the same news about her husband (lung CA secondary to colon cancer).
I worked at some facilities that do not allow employees to use cell phones during their work time - of course you are allowed during your break.
Having said that - I do carry my cell phone with me as I am not on one specific floors.
When I worked for acute dialysis, we used cell phones to communicate schedules and treatments and such and also had a blackberry for billing. We had management send emails to managers to inform them that those were work related devices that were essential and not for private use. As an acute dialysis nurse you can not just walk to the nursing station to the phone, you need to stay next to the machine when it is in use...
Follow policy like others already said before me. I wear mine. It is a huge Apple 6+. I am all over the hospital and if my colleagues need to call me (for work related), they do it. My Verizon signal is all over the building.
I also use my iPhone as a step tracker. I also have Lexicomp loaded and other apps that I use while at work. If I have to pull it while I am with a pt, I tell them that I am looking up their meds for interactions and so on. I've never had a pt say anything against me using my phone for professional use.
I didnt really worry about carrying mine on me til my mum was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
I've had a chat to my manager and explained why I carry it and wont be pulling it out for anything other than a call about my mum and they fine with that and certainly not anything non work related.
I also have a couple of medication apps and medscape which is a great reference app and if I want to document the condition of a wound it is also handy. (any picture are immediately printed off and the photo is deleted well by the end of my shift). Its brlliant I have a patient with an SCC that is going mutant. By photo documenting the wound, it gives her doctor a chance to see it without having to take down the whole dressing which is anxiety provoking and extremely painful for the patient
Our Wound Care Team has a digital camera they use to document wounds. It's official ( and therefore not a HIPPA violation).
My hospital has a very strict cell phone policy but there are always folks who think it doesn't apply to them. One CNA dropped hers into a poopy diaper while talking to her sister. The other one was fired for snapping pics of a celebrity. Well, they TOLD YOU NO CELL PHONES. What part of that did you not understand?
My hospital has a very strict cell phone policy but there are always folks who think it doesn't apply to them. One CNA dropped hers into a poopy diaper while talking to her sister. The other one was fired for snapping pics of a celebrity. Well, they TOLD YOU NO CELL PHONES. What part of that did you not understand?
I also have Lexicomp loaded and other apps that I use while at work. If I have to pull it while I am with a pt, I tell them that I am looking up their meds for interactions and so on. I've never had a pt say anything against me using my phone for professional use.
I also have Lexicomp and a critical care guide on my phone, and I use the calculator as well. I always tell patients when I am using the phone for nursing care purposes, that is the only time I would even have it out if I were with a patient. I know that patients complain when they see nurses on their phones, they think we're all Facebooking — and they're not always wrong! lol
Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.
Just have a crazy question. OP noted in a subsequent post that she will leave her phone in her locker when it is assigned. Out of curiosity, is it reasonable to be expected to leave your phone (cost is now upward of $400) in an unlocked, nonsecured area? At my last job I did not have a locker, so I carried my phone, my keys and my wallet at all times. I would never leave these items in a staff room. Even if the room is locked, it is shared with strangers.
Just have a crazy question. OP noted in a subsequent post that she will leave her phone in her locker when it is assigned. Out of curiosity, is it reasonable to be expected to leave your phone (cost is now upward of $400) in an unlocked, nonsecured area? At my last job I did not have a locker, so I carried my phone, my keys and my wallet at all times. I would never leave these items in a staff room. Even if the room is locked, it is shared with strangers.
If the only option was to leave my valuables in an unsecured area, I wouldn't bring them to work. I used to only bring my "pocket stuff" and a change purse with $3-4 in coins and maybe $20 in small denominations (always someone having a wedding/baby shower!). And that was before the days of cell phones.
Now, I have a locker, in a locked room where only the nurses and secretaries have the code (to the room, not my locker). I would leave my phone in my locker except my employer has a generous cell phone policy.
As for needing to be in touch, my best friend was having a crisis once, and it was prior to cell phone days. She knew I was a traveler in a small Southern city. She called information, got the hospital's number. She then called the hospital operator and had me paged overhead. This took maybe 10 minutes. We were able to talk. You don't HAVE to have a phone on your person for most circumstances.
My hospital has a very strict cell phone policy but there are always folks who think it doesn't apply to them. One CNA dropped hers into a poopy diaper while talking to her sister. The other one was fired for snapping pics of a celebrity. Well, they TOLD YOU NO CELL PHONES. What part of that did you not understand?
Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN
11,305 Posts
I work in wound care and we cannot use our own phone/camera to photograph wounds. Our department has two cameras, we take photos, print them off, delete them.
Even when I worked on the acute floor, we had a work camera available for photographing wounds or other things.
It is totally against our policy to use our own phone to photograph anything to do with a patient. And I'm sure there are HIPAA requirements regarding this as well.
As a nurse who started before all this technology, I simply looked up the info I needed on drugs or diseases in the books at the nurses station. Drug PDR, etc.
And family members had the phone number of the hospital and the extension at the nurses station in order to get ahold of me in case of something that couldn't wait until I got home.
Sometimes I think we've become too wired into wanting instant access and answers and just can't wait. I'm not sure that is very healthy.