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 Med Surg.
I generally try to be polite and inoffensive. However, I resent having my time wasted, and when I'm forced to go to useless mandatory trainings that last hours upon hours (e.g. three hours of, "this is how you use a mouse"), which nursing/hospitals just LOVE to do... my iPhone comes out of my pocket and gets 90% of my attention.

It's either that or the sound of me constantly flipping the pages in the newspaper. Your pick.

How about being polite to the trainers? How hard is that?

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Computer training at hospitals needs to be divided up by computer ability level. I've sat through 3 hour classes that you could have given me a tip card and I'd be good to go. And in that class is someone that needs a 6 hour class.

I know personally, I'm more polite when nobody is being impolite to me by wasting my time.

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Specializes in Med Surg.
Computer training at hospitals needs to be divided up by computer ability level. I've sat through 3 hour classes that you could have given me a tip card and I'd be good to go. And in that class is someone that needs a 6 hour class.

I know personally, I'm more polite when nobody is being impolite to me by wasting my time.

Wouldn't that be great? I wish they could do things that way. My problem is, being rude to our coworkers who are just doing what is dictated by management doesn't do anyone any good. They're just following orders.

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Our unit allows cell phones in pockets, if your not checking them or answering them at the bedside. We have a lounge for cell phone conversation. By the time your a working RN you should have the time management skills to allow for a 5 second review of any texts for.emergency, if you don't, your too busy to be concerned with phones and need to be doing your job. Which is patient care and NOT texting. I would hope every mother would leave her actual work number with hubby or sitter, not just a cell. I would hope your coworkers would not delay an emergent message from home. It comes down to professionalism. If you cannot manage you family affairs in a manner that keeps you off your cell phone while with a patient, I would be concerned about your other professional/organizational/time management decisions. I'm very lucky the staff I work with, doesn't need a policy to tell them how to be professional nurses.

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So if I'm interpreting the replies correctly it's about an even split between the turn off the phone and at least fake paying attention out of politeness people and the cell phones are here deal with it people. It is very interesting to see just how polarizing this small issue is. My vote for most interesting comment is the one where the poster says if I feel you're wasting my time I'll whip out my phone or newspaper and show you I have something more important to do. As a former middle manager I thought, as the majority of nurse managers I currently know often say, that the majority of meetings with upper management were a waste of time. Yet I could never imagine pulling out my phone or newspaper to demonstrate this, I don't think they would appreciate it.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Times are so different than when we were our kids' age.........years ago we walked everywhere and there were pay phones EVERYWHERE so that when we did something silly or needed our parents, we had a way to be in touch......I hope you never live long enough to regret being "No nonsense parents." There are so many crazies and dangerous situations out there that I would want my kids to be able to reach me IMMEDIATELY, whether its a call or a text message! A trak phone is cheap and unreliable. Texting is an add-on which YOU must have allowed when you gave him the other phone so what is a teenager supposed to do? Other than that, I can only imagine that you could hold your child hostage until he is old enough to move away from home and get his own phone service. Hopefully, he'll still want to be calling or texting you by then.

Perhaps I'm just cranky today, but this struck me as a particularly mean-spirited message. It must be nice to have all the answers and be able to criticize others' parenting decisions. But how NOT nice you are to intimate that if others don't follow YOUR parenting ideal, crazies will injure their children AND their children won't want to be in touch with their parents when they're grown. Shaking head.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
So funny . .. .I've never heard "so extra". And now I've seen it twice on one thread. :D

I think if it bothers the instructor so much maybe the folks who don't think it is a big deal might just be a bit more considerate and "deal" themselves. Cell phones aren't going away but folks could be nicer about it.

People could be nicer about a lot of things these days, and cell phones are certainly one of them. I remember being in the ladies room one time, and someone was carrying on a loud conversation in the next stall. It wasn't earth shattering stuff like "Hang up and call 9-1-1" or "I'll meet you in the emergency room" or even "This is a horrible blind date. Page me in 5 minutes and get me out of there!" It was more stuff like "and so I says to her, I says, you nothing' but a . . ." When I was finished, I flushed. And from the next stall, I heard "Do you MIND? I'm on a call here!" and then, to her caller, "Some witches have NO consideration!"

I agree, people who don't think it's a big deal might be more considerate and put the phone in the purse for the duration of the class. And folks who have a genuine emergency might just step out of the classroom to deal with it.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I generally try to be polite and inoffensive. However, I resent having my time wasted, and when I'm forced to go to useless mandatory trainings that last hours upon hours (e.g. three hours of, "this is how you use a mouse"), which nursing/hospitals just LOVE to do... my iPhone comes out of my pocket and gets 90% of my attention.

It's either that or the sound of me constantly flipping the pages in the newspaper. Your pick.

Personally, I'd choose either of the above . . . then I good legitimately boot your butt out of the classroom and explain to your nurse manager that you were inattentive and inconsiderate.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
So if I'm interpreting the replies correctly it's about an even split between the turn off the phone and at least fake paying attention out of politeness people and the cell phones are here deal with it people. It is very interesting to see just how polarizing this small issue is. My vote for most interesting comment is the one where the poster says if I feel you're wasting my time I'll whip out my phone or newspaper and show you I have something more important to do. As a former middle manager I thought, as the majority of nurse managers I currently know often say, that the majority of meetings with upper management were a waste of time. Yet I could never imagine pulling out my phone or newspaper to demonstrate this, I don't think they would appreciate it.

I don't think people who are this rude realize that the educators are in contact with the nurse manager. This may be a black mark on your record in your manager's mind -- or even in your personnel file. Enough black marks, and your next review sucks.

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My daughter is 18 so when she was an infant we did not have cell phones yet. I thought I would lose my mind with worry when I left my VERY non-domesticated spouse home alone with the baby for the first time. This was the man I had to teach how to even hold her the day she was born because he held her out like a bowl of popcorn. Luckily I lived close enough to run home at lunch and check on them. Found a group of very non-domesticated young guys (his long time buddies) and of course him all sitting on the floor goo-gahing over this little baby that hubby had all dressed up like a little princess.

My best advice to all of you newer Mothers - put the phone down and let them figure out how to deal with things. They WILL figure it out, they will be better Fathers for figuring it out and your children will have the security of knowing they have 2 parents.

And my last $0.02...I'm just so dang glad I didn't have a cell phone growing up. I could hide out for hours at a time with no one knowing exactly where I was or having any way to reach me.

I'm not a new mother, I have 3 ages 10, 7, & 5. And sometimes they do need you and you need to be there. And when we didn't have cell phones growing up, we did have pay phones if we needed to get in touch with our parents. I'm sure your parents put change in your pocket too just in case you needed to call. That's why they called loafers, penny loafers, so you can put your dime in the slot to keep on you in case you needed to call. Everyone needs a way to get in touch with their parents.

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Nor do I live in a perfect world. My husband died when the kids were 6,9 and 12. They knew how to call the desk and ask for me, I did not carry the cell phone at work. And they never called to ask about cookies or going to the park, etc. When I had a moment between patients, I would call to say good night, but if I didn't have time they understood and didn't panic.

They are now all either in college or graduated, having survived my obviously horrible parenting aeb not being instantly in contact every single minute. We are close and continue to enjoy each other's company.

Everyone has their own way of dealing with their kids, and for some of us, it is being available when needed. I am on call when it comes to my kids and I always will be. I find it a lot less disturbing to quickly ck the text, because I know I will only get a text when something's wrong, then assess the situation and proceed as necessary than it is to have the class disturbed when the the secretary had to come and find you. Cell phones are a way of communication and they aren't going any where. In all aspects of parenting, everyone is different and I never judge any one unless they inflict pain on a chid.

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Specializes in Oncology.

If they were working or at something they wanted to be at or chose to go and do, I would agree with you, however, if it's some extra thing that's forced on them, why should they stop texting or emailing? I don't care as long as it's on silent. And someone getting up and down 20 times is way more annoying. Patients texting or talking on phones at appointments is annoying, but they chose to make and come to that appointment. Don't waste my time if you want my help. I'm sure none of the nurses in the classes wanted to be there.

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