Asides: Enough Already, With The Cell Phone
Posted by Kim on June 16th, 2008 / Print This Post
Cell phones are a wonderful addition to our lives. Communicating quickly with family and friends is a good thing most the time.
However, at work, in nursing, they are fast becoming a nuance. I see many nurses and aides who constantly check their cells for messages; or who are texting someone. Right in the middle of patient care! Or a residents’ mealtime!
Message to CNA’s:
Cell phones no longer interfere with most medical equipment. This is no excuse to use them while we are working. Surely any message can wait until a break. Nothing is more aggravating than watching your co-worker drop everything they’re doing to TEXT someone. Or to check a call. Not only is this aggravating, it’s very unprofessional.
Message to management:
What is YOUR policy on this? Where I work we are not allowed to carry our cells with us on the units. Equipment problems are not the stated reason either. Rather, common courtesy and professionalism are cited. Cell phones take time and attention away from resident care; residents and co workers perceive the use of cell phones during care as rude (IT IS!). Staff are allowed to use their cells on their breaks only, and in the break room only- not in patient care areas.
June 16th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I’m with you. I hate this. If your life is such an emergency, quit work and stay home to deal with it.
I don’t bring a cell phone to work. We have a telephone we can use if we need to do so. On the other hand, if I had one, I’d only be checking messages when I was in the breakroom. Frankly, I have a hard enough time keeping everything straight without introducing another interruption.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Yes Kim, cells are a problem these days. Aides carry them around in their scrub pockets and THAT is gross- who knows what germs are infesting on the phones.
I agree the policies need to change on cell phone use. It’s really hard to get the attention of a co worker is too busy sending a text to their botfriend!
June 19th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I simply tell my co workers to put their phones away. I get testy with them. I call them on this addiction (lol) and refuse to work with those who refuse to drop their line during work time. So far only one peer has given me a problem over this. The others all agree and keep their cells in the purses for break time.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Mostly it’s the younger aides who do this. They can’t seem to go 5 minutes without checking. It is an addiction. Is there a 12 step program to help these kids?
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
My company has a very strict policy on cell phones and does not allow them to be carried or used while working.
They just don’t enforce it. It’s a real pain to have to listen to consumers complain about so ans so talking on his/her cell phone right in the middle of a care or transfer.
I don’t have one myself. Can barely stand talking on a land line phone..