Registered Nurse RN

Registered Nurse, Free Care Plans, Free NCLEX Review, Nurse Salary, and much more. Join the nursing revolution.

  • RN
    • Nursing Clinical Skills
  • Nursing Videos
  • Blog
  • Nursing School
  • Nursing Care Plans
  • Nursing Quizzes
  • Nursing
  • Nursing Jobs
  • NCLEX Review
  • Store

Cell Phones for Nurses?

Cell phones for nurses? Should nurses really use cell phones on the job?

One of the most interesting shifts I’ve seen in my career is the widespread use of cell phones, smart phones, blackberries, and iPhones. Yes, technology has changed very rapidly.

I can still recall years ago when pagers were the big thing. Now, text messaging is beginning to replace pagers at a very rapid pace. In fact, I rarely see anyone with a pager these days.

Cell phones were also frowned upon for a long time in hospital settings. There used to be a huge issue with interference with pace makers, and other sensitive medical equipment. While some of these issues may still exist in parts of the world, for the most part, cell phones and medical equipment are now being manufactured in a way so that they no longer cause interference. But if I ever see a sign indicating to shut off cell phones in a hospital or medical setting, I always turn mine off ASAP.

Do Nurses Use Cell Phones on the Job?

When I started as a nurse, I only had a simple prepaid “flip” phone. It wasn’t a smart phone, couldn’t surf the internet, or anything else. It was just an inexpensive phone I had for emergency uses.

After a year or two, I began to notice that all of my fellow nurses would often ask for my phone number, or ask to text. I’d always respond, “Well, I only have a prepaid phone that I use for emergencies. I rarely turn it on.” I would get the most bizarre looks when I said that, as if I lived in the 1950’s or something! And this was only 1-2 years after graduating nursing school.

Well, this past year I’ve finally jumped on the bandwagon! I purchased a smart phone. It is still pay-as-you-go, simply because I don’t like contracts. But it is a monthly plan that gives me alg optimus slider, cell phones, smart phones, nursing, registered nurse cell phone set amount of minutes and unlimited texting, which is nice. Also, I can change my plan at any time or cancel it altogether if I ever want to. Its through Virgin Mobile, and so far I’ve been very pleased.

What’s funny is that I never really realized how much nurses use cell phones on the job. I mean, I always realized nurses around me were texting and so forth, but I never realized how much they actually use the phone as a part of the job.

My floor now encourages us to use text messaging as a way to contact one another! I find that really interesting. We will use texting to request shift changes, to see what time we need to open, to contact doctors, and everything.

On one hand I think it is awesome, because technology makes things so much easier. On the flip side, I can see how using your personal cell phone can create it’s own issues. For example, what if people start nagging you to pick up shifts on your off days? Or what of some pervert starts stalking you via text messages? Yikes!

Luckily, none of this has happened to me in the few months I’ve been texting. Still, it is something I’d recommend new nurses to use extreme caution in doing.

Also, nurses should never release sensitive patient info via text messaging, as that could open up a can of worms with legal issues. In fact, I remember a very serious case in the area I live where some people in a nursing home were abusing elderly patients, and people were recording it with their cell phones. Luckily it was reported to the authorities.

Anyway, I can see how cell phones and smart phones will quickly become the norm in the healthcare industry.

 

Please Share:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
Nursing Gear

RSS Latest YouTube Videos

  • Flexion and Extension Anatomy: Shoulder, Hip, Forearm, Neck, Leg, Thumb, Wrist, Spine, Finger
  • Recap a Needle Using the One-Hand Scoop Technique Nursing Skill | Medication Administration
  • Elevation and Depression Anatomy Body Movement Terms (Mandible & Scapula)
  • Car Seat Safety Teaching: Nursing Care & Discharge Pediatric Maternity Nurse NCLEX Review

Recent Posts

  • Benzodiazepines (Anxiolytic and Sedative-Hypnotic) NCLEX Nursing Questions Quiz
  • Flexion and Extension
  • Flexion and Extension Anatomy Quiz
  • One-Hand Scoop Technique

Disclosure and Privacy Policy

This website provides entertainment value only, not medical advice or nursing protocols. We strive for 100% accuracy, but nursing procedures and state laws are constantly changing. By accessing any content on this site or its related media channels, you agree never to hold us liable for damages, harm, loss, or misinformation. See our full disclosure and privacy policy. Copyright Notice: Do not copy this site, articles, images, or its contents without permission.

Important Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Follow Us on Social Media

  • Facebook Nursing
  • Instagram Nursing
  • Twitter Nursing
  • YouTube Nursing

Get Free Email Updates:

Enter your email address below and hit "Submit" to receive free email updates and nursing tips.

Copyright © 2021 RegisteredNurseRN.com. All Rights Reserved.