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!

Specializes in Emergency, ICU.
Children under 16 do not need a cell phone. If stranger danger approaches them, calling me is a waste of time. a) I wouldn't answer anyway, lol and b) they would be better off running than calling. ;) Besides that, they have an au pair and are not ever unattended in public.

You have to realize that you may live in a very different environment as America is not all the same. I live in an urban city where my middle and high school kids are perfectly safe waking home alone. They no longer need a nanny but they do need to know that they can reach out to me if they want to. My husband is always available too, that's just our reality and it may be different from yours.

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Specializes in Emergency, ICU.
Again, it's about obnoxiousness. Is it really hard to stay away from over-dramatization and condescension?

Imaginary Like button being pressed.

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I'm a school district nurse and kids aren't using their cell phones simply to stay connected with parents or to feel safe.

They are using it to gossip, torment, tease, and sometimes bully other kids. This is elementary school. We've also had a couple of incidences where they are sexting.

The kids who don't have cell phones and need to contact their parents come to the office and call.

I will not purchase a cell phone for my 11 year old son no matter how many of his friends have one. I learned my lesson the hard way with my now adult kids who did instant messaging online. My son also is not allowed online and doesn't have a computer.

(just read the post above me and had to edit this to say I'm not being over dramatic):)

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Just so ya know, I got that, lol

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.
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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
Maybe you should publish your playbook for life. Your comments really defeat yourself.
Given that I am the one that usually is asked and generally relents to changing my schedule (inconveniencing me and mine) or picks up when they have to leave early.

Thus how they choose to behave, raise children, and how it affects work does affect me. You do not have to like my opinion. It is a bitter one for many to swallow. It is judgemental, just as many of the posters are. We have people that believe forbidding cell phones is old fashioned, others that find them unnecessary. We have some complaining that those of us requiring responsible behavior are not "compassionate" enough. And others that are tired of compassion always being one sided and no care given to those who sacrifice to behave responsibly.

I think that we all seek responsible and mannerly behavior, but have different ideas of what that is. I see cells as inconveniencing those around you, and others do not.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

You are correct, I find your views and categorizations in regards to single parentood disturbing. However, at the end of the day we can each go our own way. Have a good one.

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I keep my phone with me at work. It's on vibrate at all times, and like others have said, I only check it when I'm not in a patient care area.

I also use it for looking up meds (faster than using the computers because that requires finding an available one, logging on, etc), doing unit conversations, or using a calculator. I always say "I'm doing a conversion" or "looking up that med" or whatever so that it's clear I am not texting.

In a pinch, I have a nice flash light app that works for night shifts.

Yes, we didn't have phones years ago and we all survived. But we have them now, they have their place, and I'm not going to feel guilty for loving my phone.

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Specializes in ICU.
My question to the single Moms: Why is there no other parent?

Barring being widowed young, the victim of rape or incest, having an unfaithful/abusive spouse that one gets divorced from, there should be another parent there.

It must be nice to live in such a perfect little box. Glad you have all the answers there.

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It must be nice to live in such a perfect little box. Glad you have all the answers there.
she did say another parent, not spouse/partner etc. last time i took bio, that was necessary....
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Specializes in ICU.
she did say another parent, not spouse/partner etc. last time i took bio, that was necessary....

Yes, and somehow every single person in the world fits into what she said? I think not.

My personal example: my fiancée works off shore (this is very prevalent in AK, many many people work this type of rotation) and is gone from home a minimum of three weeks at a time. Which means that if we had kids, I would be the only primary caregiver for over half the year. The majority of moms in Alaska do this -- some have no backup.

Many families right now have had to make the choice to be separated by distance because of one parent who has a job in another state -- but cant or wont uproot the entire family. How about military families?

So no, that box doesn't work for me and thousands of other women around the country.

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Specializes in ICU.

I wholeheartedly agree with the person up-thread to stated that cellphones are like pacifiers. That is exactly how I view them as well.

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Specializes in ICU.
I do not know baby2009's situation. Did her spouse die or she the victim of incest, assault or her former spouse unfaithful or horribly abusive? Barring those situations, there is another parent that should be involved and she has chosen to raise her children in a less than ideal circumstances.

I like how you say "horribly abusive" as though having a moderately abusive parent is a-okay.

/sarcasm

Additional edit: Before anyone gets their panties in a bunch, I do find it genuinely fascinating that someone would put it quite that way.

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