Can nurses send text messages at work?

A nurse reader asked what she should do a few personal text message she sent to her husband’s ex-wife.

The reader didn’t post what she sent her ex-wife, but whatever the content, her employer accused her of “improper telephone communication” for texting at work. The reader’s supervisor told her that the ex-wife had personally come to the hospital to complain in regards to the text and had spoken to the supervisor, CEO, CEO and HR. The ex-wife also informed hospital administration about their personal family situation, which apparently included a “nasty divorce and custody battle.” The nurse is worried that her employer has reported her to the state board of nursing and whether her job is in jeopardy.

Hospital policies regarding mobile devices and texting at work

It is unknown what policy or policy this nurse’s employer has regarding the usage of communication devices at work, but a policy violation occurred, as evidenced by the improper communication charge.

This particular hospital may consent to the usage of smartphones just for purposes related to patient care, communicating with other staff, or searching for details about a particular diagnosis.

It can also be unknown whether the ability requires nursing staff to make use of only a facility-issued smartphone or whether or not they can take their very own device to work. We also do not know which ones sent text messages to his ex-wife. Regardless of those issues, the nurse asking the query was using the phone in a fashion not approved by the employer.

As a result, it is kind of likely that she will probably be fired. A nurse may mourn the termination of an employment contract if she believes it was unfair or inconsistent with the employer’s policies regarding worker conduct and smartphone use.

This might be an uphill battle. The text message, no matter its content, was shared with the employer. Its existence can’t be denied. Whether true or not, the ex-wife’s comments to the nurse’s administrators raise additional questions on her character.

Occupational licensing concerns about texting at work

The nurse also has several licensing issues. Initially, when an employment contract is terminated, the Nurse Practice Act may require the employer or the nurse herself to report the termination of the employment contract to management. If required, the nurse might want to truthfully and truthfully explain why the pregnancy was terminated. Because using a smartphone for private purposes, equivalent to texting at work, may pose a risk to patient safety, the committee may determine that discipline is obligatory. If the employer’s policy was not followed, this will probably be a further point for the committee to evaluate. The board might also consider her conduct to be unprofessional conduct that will deceive, defraud or harm the general public.

While it could appear that a charge of unprofessional conduct can be based solely in your nursing practice, equivalent to violating nurse-patient confidentiality, signing off on a piece computer with another person’s passcode, or neglecting to take care of a patient, this is not any longer true. (You can read more about this on my blog: “What Can an RN Do If There Are Compliance Issues in the Workplace?”).

Nursing councils expand definition of unprofessional conduct. Because you might be a licensed skilled, you’ve an obligation to conduct yourself “professionally” in any respect times, whether you practice nursing or not. So a DUI or shoplifting conviction, or texting your husband’s ex-wife at work and fueling an ongoing dispute could lead to discipline for unprofessional conduct.

Were this nurse’s text messages at work unusual?

A 2014 study determined the frequency of use of non-work-related communication devices. A gaggle of 825 respondents – members of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses met the inclusion criteria for the study and answered a survey consisting of 30 questions.

78% of respondents declared using a private mobile device during work (and never during breaks and meals). Meanwhile, 39% of respondents reported repeatedly sending personal emails and text messages while at work. “Regularly” was defined as sometimes, often, or at all times.

Tests, “Use of personal mobile phones by registered nurses in hospital” for non-work-related purposes, It was also noted that the frequent use of such communication devices could cause nurses to turn into “distracted” and due to this fact impact secure nursing care.

What it is advisable to learn about using your phone at work

Although it shouldn’t be unusual for this nurse to make use of her cellular phone to text at work, her experience and the above study provide some tricks to bear in mind.

• Read and follow your employer’s policy regarding the usage of communication devices and texting at work.
• Think fastidiously before texting about something personal. This could put you susceptible to losing your job or facing a disciplinary hearing from the nursing board, which could lead to you being considered unprofessional or unethical.
• Familiarize yourself with the Nurse Practice Act and state nursing regulations and what each say in regards to the conduct expected of you as a licensee.
• Analyze the language of the Nurse Practice Act and discover rules that expressly allow the board to take disciplinary motion against you when you find yourself not practicing as a nurse.
• Always conduct yourself like knowledgeable, whether you might be on duty or off. Never expose patients to unreasonable and foreseeable risk of injury when using a communication device for any reason.

Take these hospital policy courses:

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