telephone/texting
I am a nursing instructor and I go to clinical site to follow-up my students for clinical rotation.The school policy is not to give out telepone number to the students.Since the clinical hours start at 7:00 am, it is a big challenge for me and my students to communicate especially if students can't come to report because maybe they are sick or they are late with some valid reasons.Ex. accidents, flat tire.Our school policy is for the student to call the campus which opens at 8:00 am and to leave a message on the answering machine.At times there is no one to pick up the phone or get the message and call me at the clinical site of students's absence.Is it appropriate for the students to call each other and report the absence or tardiness to the instructor? I created a buddy system in which students share their telephone in case of emergency;we have a telephone tree.What else can you suggest?
Hi Cynthia,
I have been teaching for over 23 years, and I do not give my students my cell phone number. I only share my work email address, and I have never missed anything important from a student. It is just way too risky to allow students to call/text outside of school even if the communication is for school.
Patricia Scales
I have given my students my number. we as instructors are not to have outside unprofessional relationships with our students. so i tell them to let me know who is texting cause i dont keep their personal numbers in my phone.
Hi Carla,
Super idea, and I am sure it is very beneficial.
Patricia Scales
My school has an attendance hotline number just for these kinds of things. Students can call that number anytime and it's recorded & time stamped. Maybe that's an idea you can take to your campus.
Hi Nancy,
Speak to your DOE about implementing a policy that will curtail the cell phone/texting issues.
Patricia Scales
Hi Titilola,
Your personnel of higher authority is really trying to protect you professionaly. Make it known to students that they MUST communicate with your via email.
Patricia Scales
I am a Dental Hygiene instructor and have a similar situation. What would you suggest??
I also work with Ms Alvidera, and I agree with her. We have talked about this to our programme director and the Dean of Education and still they said we can not give out our cell phone numbers to students. I usually ask my students to email me, becasue I can receive emails on my phone and I always check my email during clinical hours.
Titilola Randolph
Hi Zedeva,
You may want to try to implement the policy only in this class that clinical students can have the instructor's number. Talk to your DOE about the necessity of this policy.
Patricia Scales
