What is it with nurses and cell phones? Just a vent.

Nurses Professionalism

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Recently my hospital has upgraded or introduced multiple new computer programs that have required almost every level of nurse from bedside to administration to attend class in order to use the new technology. I have assisted in teaching numerous classes and before each we ask that cell phones be silenced and put away, that if anyone must make or take a call or text to please exit the room and return when done, and not to text while in class or you will be asked to leave. Despite this every class we have multiple violators and the majority when asked to leave are not embarrassed but become angry when asked to follow rules and be respectful of educators and classmates. I can't say it's any one age group since I've had 22 year olds to 70 year olds as the culprits. Sometimes I just have to shake my head at what passes for professionalism these days. This is just a vent, not looking for validation. Have a great day!

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Very unprofessional ! That's how you know if a nurse is good or bad at what she does !

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Specializes in Trauma-Surgical, Case Management, Clinic.

I understand silencing phones and stepping out to take phone calls, but texting or emailing doesn't bother me. It may be unprofessional in certain settings, but in a group of my nursing peers I wouldn't think anything of it. Personally, it is more distracting when people are constantly coming in and out of the room due to such rules. I wouldn't even notice someone using their phone as long as it was on silent.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

Wow, that's disrespectful. If the person has to be that much in contact during the class, they should reschedule for another time. The facility isn't going to implode if you stay off your cell phone for two hours.

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

Cell phones are my pet peeve. No one has any etiquette for appropriate use, nor apparently any common sense. Mine is powered off and in my handbag, in a desk drawer when I'm at work. I would never, ever, take or make a personal call or text during my work day, and I don't tolerate it from other people. Employees caught with cell phones during work time get points, enough points accumulate and they get fired. If patient's use their cell phone during the appointment, I get up and walk out, the visit is over. And no, you don't get your copay back. Our teenage son once made the mistake of texting at the table in a restaurant. We took his iPhone away and he now has a track phone that isn't text capable! It's unacceptable and akin to wearing a hat at the table, and I'd knock him on his tush if he dared do so, lol. Cell phones and public use of cell phones makes me truly irate.

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@Bluedevil wow I bet yr son quickly learned his lesson!! This sounds like some good ole fashioned discipline. Young people today could stand to learn from such styles if disciplining. Kudos to you!!!

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

We are no nonsense parents. That iPhone has been sitting in a drawer for over a year now. Its a 3rd generation and totally outdated now anyway. He used to ask when he's getting it back. As if.

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Cell phones are my pet peeve. No one has any etiquette for appropriate use, nor apparently any common sense. Mine is powered off and in my handbag, in a desk drawer when I'm at work. I would never, ever, take or make a personal call or text during my work day, and I don't tolerate it from other people. Employees caught with cell phones during work time get points, enough points accumulate and they get fired. If patient's use their cell phone during the appointment, I get up and walk out, the visit is over. And no, you don't get your copay back. Our teenage son once made the mistake of texting at the table in a restaurant. We took his iPhone away and he now has a track phone that isn't text capable! It's unacceptable and akin to wearing a hat at the table, and I'd knock him on his tush if he dared do so, lol. Cell phones and public use of cell phones makes me truly irate.

Walking out on a patient because they're on their phone? So extra.

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

I don't know what "so extra" means, but yes, you bet I do. Talking or texting on a cell phone during an appointment is simply unconscionable. There are signs all over the clinic prohibiting cell phones in patient care areas, but I suppose they are free to be rude to the other people in the waiting room if they insist. However, they disregard the "no cell phones beyond this point" mandate at their own risk, lol.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

Walking out on a patient because they're on their phone? So extra.

No, it's so great. A patient that is on their cell phone during an appointment obviously doesn't need/want to be there and is wasting the NP or doc's time.

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I love the patients (L&D) who describe their pain as 10 of 10, bit are texting on their phone the next time you slip in. Or want me to wait while they finish their conversation (as if I don't hv other tasks and patients to tend to) before I do whatever I came in there to do. My favorite was a pt who remained on the cell phone during a cervical exam.....really?!? Ummm okaaay.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.
I understand silencing phones and stepping out to take phone calls, but texting or emailing doesn't bother me. It may be unprofessional in certain settings, but in a group of my nursing peers I wouldn't think anything of it. Personally, it is more distracting when people are constantly coming in and out of the room due to such rules. I wouldn't even notice someone using their phone as long as it was on silent.

Not every peer who finds texting rude/distracting is going to be confrontational about it.

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