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

[fakebee]

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!

[nursel56]

Damn you autocorrect!

Autocorrect? Oh thank God. I thought they'd invented a new "scale" for something or other. "Clearly, Mrs. Whitten is well within the parameters of FIVE WINDOW. I guess you were screwing around on your iphone when we went to Window Scale class."

[Conqueror+, BSN, RN]

Not sure what you guys mean perhaps I am not familiar with something net/techie specific. I meant the patient in room six next to the window vs the pt named Ms Whitten.

[Conqueror+, BSN, RN]

Don't think it's just nurses.

I had a doctor answer her cell phone for a social call while she was circumcising a baby once.

This is one of those things I wish I didn't know about. I am so glad I insisted on staying with my son for his.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

Not sure what you guys mean perhaps I am not familiar with something net/techie specific. I meant the patient in room six next to the window vs the pt named Ms Whitten.

Oh! Thanks for clearing that up. I read and re-read, and I couldn't figure it out. The tech said "Ms Whitten" and the nurse thought she said the bed number. Gotcha.

[Mulan]

Acting that way isn't going to magically end some of these meetings or subject matter; it's just going to make you look like a jerk.

Exactly.

[JZ_RN]

I don't let my phone ring during meetings or senseless classes, I put it on vibrate, and I will take a text if I want to. I don't see how that's being a jerk. I think the real jerk is the person who expects others to spend their days off "learning" pointless material to make their administrative or managerial job seem like it's NOT pointless.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I don't get this, "You're wasting my time, so I'm gonna show the ultimate disrespect and play around on my phone just so that you all know I'm above this nonsense."

I'd like this post a dozen times if I could figure out how to do so.

If it's a work required class, word DOES get back to your manager, and if she is anything like MY manager, it is reflected in your annual review.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

After reading through pages and pages of these posts, I've concluded that there are STILL two kinds of people. There are the ones who are considerate and respectful of others and there are those who seem to believe that they're much better or more important than everyone else. So important that they're above mandatory meetings and simple courtesy.

[JZ_RN]

Our managers are the ones who dictate these mandatory meetings. They also make our schedules, so they know they're taking all of our days off, our sleep time, etc. I think that's lack of courtesy and respect.

They think that their mandatory meetings where all they do is yell or complain about budgets or add more work are more important than our well-being, happiness, or time with our families.

[Lynx25, LPN]

What is it with PEOPLE and cell phones?

Fixed your title there for ya.

[nursel56]

Not sure what you guys mean perhaps I am not familiar with something net/techie specific. I meant the patient in room six next to the window vs the pt named Ms Whitten.

I apologize. I thought dudette was referring to what happens sometimes when people post with a mobile app that either predicts or changes the text you type into them, making the results somewhat inexplicable or sometimes humorous. I don't have a smartphone yet so I'm not sure exactly how that happens without the author seeming to know about it.

[Guest343211]

This is just not an issue of disrespect for nursing. I mean, it's become a problem in general. I could care less that you have a cell phone and can text your butt off. I have one too. Who doesn't appreciate their iPhone or smart phone or whatever you have?

I use it in a limited manner, just as I would not take call after call in certain situations or at work.

Come on. No one cares that you have a crew that you want to text every little things to. To me, it comes off as high-schoolish--childlike. It's a device, um, an appliance. Use it wisely. Text your fingers off on your own time. Otherwise, use cell etiquette around others--unless there is something emergent going on--say with your family.

Have you every tried having a conversation with someone that is text happy? They think they are being considerate b/c they don't have the gonads to say, "Hey, this engagement, discussion, or person are not important to me, thus I prefer texting with my peeps."

Now, at least that is honest. That shows me you are cognizant of your ill-mannered behavior, and you just don't care. While that in and of itself isn't cool, I give it higher points than posing as a considerate person by blocking conversation through texting!

If you don't want to address or discuss something, be cool and own it. You really do appear childish and unprofessional by texting your fingers off--glued to your cell. Much of this texting is ill-mannered and unnecessary.

Like I said, however, if you are at home chilling in front of the tube or surfing the next, text your butt off. Dude, have at it! Otherwise, keep it to bare essential stuff.

Seriously, at work and in various social settings, it's grossly ill-mannered--just as much as ignoring others while you are talking on the phone. I really don't see a lot of truly professional people--in all walks and professions, texting like mad at work--or in most social gatherings.

This just seems like common sense to me. No offense to hyper-texters, but come on. Think about it. :)