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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Nurses watching tv/surfing the internet

393 replies

UB40fan · 28/05/2019 23:47

My daughter was recently in hospital. While there we witnessed nurses watching an hour long tv show and surfing the internet. It was quiet in the hospital at the time. I was stunned by this. The nurses were quite open about this, as in this was obviously allowed. Am i the one behind the times or is this now normal?

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 28/05/2019 23:51

After my dad was on hospital I witnessed this too and complained. It didn't happen again. I would urge you to complain too.

LoafofSellotape · 28/05/2019 23:53

**in

JaneTheVirgin · 28/05/2019 23:53

I don't understand. Were they ignoring your needs?

TrixieFranklin · 28/05/2019 23:55

I don't understand, do you mean on their breaks or just when they got a minute and were sat at the nurses station or what?
Were they neglecting patients needs and prioritising their TV/phones/computers?

RichYorks · 28/05/2019 23:56

If they were availible to work but nothing needed doing then rare but not a problem.

I'm a paramedic last night not many calls so I was able to go home, put eldest to bed and wash the dishes all whilst on duty! Very rare thing in healthcare but if the opportunity comes not to be totally rushed off your feet and look after your own mental health then you take it.

OldAndWornOut · 28/05/2019 23:57

When my mum was in hospital one of the nurses was talking on her phone whilst feeding a patient.
I glared at her, but she didn't bat an eyelid.
I was astounded by the things I saw.

EKGEMS · 29/05/2019 00:00

I carry a work cell phone as a nurse in a large US hospital and I suppose it can be mistaken as surfing the net when it's simply a tool to make and receive work calls. I for one have never watched tv at work unless it's on in the break room as I eat my lunch which I usually mute or turn off as I'd rather have peace and quiet! My employer takes unprofessional behavior like that seriously

ThisMustBeMyDream · 29/05/2019 00:01

95% of my shifts are insanely busy. I routinely don't go to the toilet from getting up, until getting home after a 12.5 shift (plus commute). Not only do I not have time to go - I don't have time to drink so no urge to urinate.
On those odd moments of peace, I will absolutely take a little respite. I'm worked in to the ground most of the time. I won't feel an ounce of guilt as I have done my job and am still ready to respond at an instant.

Graphista · 29/05/2019 00:01

As an ex nurse myself I find it VERY hard to believe there was NOTHING work related they could have been doing.

I was working when things aren't nearly as stringently cut as now and there was ALWAYS something needed doing, paperwork, prep for next days work, certain types of cleaning, checking certain stocks etc

I would definitely be complaining it's not a professional appearance and it's likely not actually allowed.

Original poster
UB40fan · 29/05/2019 00:02

They were most definitely on duty, not on a break.

OP posts:
MsMD · 29/05/2019 00:02

On the rare nights at my hospital where it's quiet the nurses and I sometimes do scroll on the internet Mumsnet As long as no patient is being neglected and all their work was done it would be ridiculous to complain as a PP suggests.

Littlebird88 · 29/05/2019 00:03

I spent 5 months in hospital with my son and only saw this happen on night shift which didn't bother me .

TantricTwist · 29/05/2019 00:04

Why were you stunned OP what is it they should have been doing during that hour? Were patients ringing their call bell? Was it medication round?
It was quiet as you say why on earth shouldn't they be doing what you say if it was quiet and they had written up their notes and were on top of things.

They do 12 hour shifts and that's not including getting to and from work.

Should they be walking around for no reason to appease you or stare into space not communicating with anybody so it suits you

Original poster
UB40fan · 29/05/2019 00:08

I did say am I behind the times or is this normal ? I just think if a person worked in a “normal job” and it was not busy then you could not sit and basically watch tv.

OP posts:
Serin · 29/05/2019 00:10

Really?
Wow?
Where is this hospital?
The Shetland Isles or Jersey maybe? Or is it privately run?
I have not had a lunchbreak for years (seriously) and work on average 5 hours a week UNPAID overtime. In fact I'm going to have to quit soon as I just cant hack it anymore.
I am amazed that such a place exists.

JaneTheVirgin · 29/05/2019 00:10

In an NHS hospital I'd be willing to bet those nurses have put more unpaid hours in working than the times they've taken unofficial breaks to scroll the internet or watch TV. Are we really going to berate them for taking some of that time 'back' when they get a chance? The NHS really would collapse without their unpaid overtime.

Assuming of course that the patients are not currently in need, this is a non-issue.

Original poster
UB40fan · 29/05/2019 00:12

Hospital in London.

OP posts:
Dogdogcat · 29/05/2019 00:12

Biscuit Now you just have to start a teacher thread.

MsMD · 29/05/2019 00:12

So OP in your job you have never scrolled through your phone or taken a personal call or done anything other than the exact job you were paid for for those exact hours? Wow plz come work for me immediately Hmm

TantricTwist · 29/05/2019 00:13

Were they nurses OP or HCA's?

PotolBabu · 29/05/2019 00:14

The nurses who looked after my son were barely able to take a toilet break. Or eat. I really worried about them. Then the management changed their rota which meant that the Band 6 nurses would be worse off each month (this is intensive care so a ton of Band 6 nurses). It was a disgrace. Not the nurses but how they are treated.

TantricTwist · 29/05/2019 00:15

OP people watch TV browse the internet all the time at work if they can, all the time, so yes you really are behind the times.

Original poster
UB40fan · 29/05/2019 00:15

MsMD, I did ask if I am behind the times. I have not worked for 30 years. When I did work I would have been fired for that type of behaviour.

OP posts:
Original poster
UB40fan · 29/05/2019 00:19

TantricTwist, well that explains a lot of what I saw. There were many occasions when I felt that the nurse was not listening to my question. A lot of miscommunication in general.

OP posts:
OldAndWornOut · 29/05/2019 00:20

If I'm checking my phone, its somewhere away from where I will be seen.

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