LouLouRN
Junior Member
Posts:22
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| 12/06/2009 12:11 PM |
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3 weeks ago, we changed our policy on computer use on our unit. There are more stringent filters on what sites we have access to. I wholeheartedly agree with this policy. However, its almost like a cat and mouse game that is being played with the less professional members of our staff-- Management bans computer access (limited to a few sites), but then it doesn't matter because almost everyone has these Iphones anyway. A couple of things I have to say about this--- these are the same co-workers who complain about not getting paid enough, who talk about not being able to make rent payment, but these are the same people who have the latest and most advance gadgets (TOYS) out there! And I know these monthly phone plans aren't cheap!
Ok, maybe this isn't my place to judge, but what gets to me is when people are too busy playing with these phones or whatever they are.. because I don't see that they are being used as phones anyway. It really just pains me when "people" say they have so much to do, but I see that they can spend their entire lunch/dinner breaks on these gadgets and can sometimes not be found because they are updating their "status".
I am not as technologically savvy. But, I do understand the importance of having my cell phone especially due to my current family situation--my family needs to be able to reach me at a moment's notice.. so I don't want to complain about limiting personal phone access for anyone in our unit, but I am perturbed by the unprofessionalism of some of my co-workers.
Does anyone else have this issue???????? I just need to vent and also to hear how people have dealt with this situation.
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RNAnnie
Junior Member
Posts:14
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| 12/07/2009 2:33 PM |
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Do more than vent, speak up about it. I just had this issue recently where I needed my CNA's help, I couldn't find him. I was told that he was taking his break. Ok, fine.. half an hour later (he was on his 15 minute break supposedly), I called for him again... nothing. Frustrated, I walked into the unit lounge to find him updating his Facebook status and he had the audacity to put "I'm bored at work". I am sure my face lit up like a christmas tree--- I am not a confrontational person, but I had to tell him how disappointed and unfair i thought he was being. Here's the thing, as angry as i was, I think that by being calm about the situation (despite my face burning red), he felt bad. He is relatively new to the unit -- been here 2 months. And he is young, professionalism is something we need to teach not only by instructions but also by example. And I had to set him aside to let him know that saying he is bored at work when there are so many people looking for work is a slap in our faces. I do think that I gave him something to think about. I have not mentioned it to my NM yet because I am giving this kid a second chance and I know he knows it.
Should we ban personal phones??? I keep mine in my locker and I check it when I am on my break, but we don't get good reception here anyway... |
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Amy
New Member
Posts:1
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| 12/08/2009 5:58 AM |
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| i agree with your frustration with inappropriate cell phone and internet use! i have also been in your shoes and have felt angry with both other nurses as well as cna's slacking off on the job. however, when a unit that i was working on as a traveler started to limit internet access and was talking about banning it all together, this also angered me! i don't think that it is fair that everyone on the unit should be punished and not be able to use the internet because of a few unresponsible people. when i have those rare moments of downtime during the day or a slower than usual night i personally, like to use the internet. i feel that nurses work so hard and deserve a few minutes of leisure at work if their workload permits. i'd also mention the importance of being able to search the web for medical information for insight to a patients current disease, problem, or condition. yes, there are resources at work to answer these questions, but sometimes the question can be answered by a simple google search. i think that nurses are often deprived of breaks and acknowledgement for how hard they work each day and think that removing the use of the internet is one of the few perks a nurse has while at work. however, i do think that inappropriate use by individuals should be address by the charge or management because we all know who those inappropriate people are on the unit. why doesn't anyone say anything to them? i don't think that everyone should be punished and i think that management needs to see to it that people are help accontable for their work. |
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DaymonF
Active Member
Posts:59
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| 12/08/2009 8:36 AM |
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| I would agree. The individuals who were irresponsible should be addressed - banning the team is not the answer. |
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TeddyB
Junior Member
Posts:18
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| 12/08/2009 8:42 AM |
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| address the staff that caused the problem. As I see it, technology is not the issue, it is the personal responsibility that is the issue. individual staff should be held accountable for their actions without the team being dragged into it. |
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Linda
New Member
Posts:4
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| 12/13/2009 11:05 AM |
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| I too have had the same frustration. When you are looking for help and everyone is either on their phone talking or playing games!! I work in a psych hospital and when you need help, most of the time you need it NOW. The worst part of the problem is our Charge Nurse is right in their with them! No help there because her biggest need is feel like one of the guys and be liked. I am an effiecent worker and so have most of my work done in the first 2 hours of the shift because I jump right in and do not allow unnecessary interruptions. Then what happens is the CN who can't get her work done because of the above mentioned personal needs, expects me to do her job as far as paper work and documentation. Or if I have an unusual amount of work and can't help her out, she procrastinates until at the last hour she is running around snapping everyone's head off trying to get it done. I don't want to complain to our DON because relatively speaking I am the new kid on the block and my CN is vengeful. All I can do is work and set an example by my actions and professionalism. But I'm really tired of being pulled into Lissa's (CN) world everyday. The stress is unbelievable because if something goes wrong because I am doing 2 jobs each shift, my CN blames me because I am doing the majority of the work. I think carrying your cell phone in your lab jacket pocket set on vibrate is fine and if you are free at the moment, answer it, but keep it short and sweet and get right back to work. Definitley no games unless you are on officail break time. |
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Marionlpn
Junior Member
Posts:11
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| 03/10/2010 12:20 PM |
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I don't have internet access at work and I own an Iphone. Whenever I need to answer a question that I don't know the answer to I use my iphone. It has really been a God send. I also have a problem with fellow co-workers spending too much time on their phones. I don't hesitate to tell them to put it away when I know they are supposed to be working. My other issue is I have found CNA's doing their job while listening to their ipods.That really burns my goat |
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KY-RN
Junior Member
Posts:23
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| 05/20/2010 11:03 PM |
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Our hospital has similar policies in place and it is difficult to police the entire unit. I work in an OR that has 22 rooms and over 100 people working at any given time. Our computers are locked down but like your experience, many have I phones etc. I will say that many of us use our PDA's to access medical info on the go instead of being tied down to a desktop computer. We have wireless phones that only work in the building so there are very few reasons to have a personal phone at work. My position is one of the exceptions since I cover 5 different facilities in my role as technology resource nurse. Management must be persistent and fair in applying the policy. Good luck!
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