[NRSKarenRN]

Skipping Meals May Contribute To Nurse Burnout

A new study indicates that nurses are regularly sacrificing their breaks and meal periods to provide patient care. The researchers found that nurses took a break or ate a meal free of patient care responsibilities in less than half (47 percent) of the shifts they worked over a one-month period. During the remaining shifts, they either worked nonstop throughout the entire shift (10 percent of shifts) or were able to sit down for only a short period, while remaining responsible for patient care activities during their breaks or meals (43 percent of shifts).


For more information, go to http://www.ahrq.gov/research/mar05/0305RA4.htm#head4

[KacyLynnRN]

I know I get pretty damn cranky if I don't get to eat!!!

[tntrn]

Amazing that the suits/high heels/clipboards group, who never miss a meal or a break, would actually need a study to figure this one out.

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

*sigh* I think they messed up. It's the workload that causes both the skipped meal AND the burnout. JMHO.

[Sis123]

Isn't it ironic how patients' health is of top priority, but the caregivers' health is not even considered. I was surprised that the lack of bathroom breaks was not mentioned, but I wonder if that was considered as a "break".

I guess nurses are supposed to be super-human.

[RN4NICU]

Originally Posted by tntrn

Amazing that the suits/high heels/clipboards group, who never miss a meal or a break, would actually need a study to figure this one out.

My thoughts exactly.

[VivaLasViejas]

Can anyone say "DUH"?!

I know how crabby I get when I don't get off the floor and something in my stomach by the time I've been out there for several hours. I have the added problem of coming in at 11 AM, having to break everyone for lunches, and then I get admits and/or post-ops so I don't get to lunch before 3 or 4 in the afternoon when I'm supposed to pick up a whole new team of patients. I do take that half-hour, but it tends to put me behind schedule so I really have to hit it when I come back. Breaks? I'm lucky to sit down and snarf a handful of peanuts or gulp down some water while I chart........that's a break. In the meantime, my co-workers who smoke are coming to me every hour or two and going "Couldya watch my team for ten minutes?" even though I am no longer in the PRN role by that time and have patients of my own to attend to.

I know, I need to be more assertive about taking my breaks.......even my manager has told me so, and I know she's right. I can't expect my co-workers to respect my needs if I don't tell them what they are. But I get so irritated sometimes.......I think they think because I'm the 8-hour person, I don't NEED breaks, and that's wrong. I don't begrudge them the extra break they receive because they're 12-hour employees; I just want them to acknowledge the fact that I'm entitled to a couple of 'em too. And I know it's up to me to make that happen.

[nadja9]

Originally Posted by Sis123

Isn't it ironic how patients' health is of top priority, but the caregivers' health is not even considered. I was surprised that the lack of bathroom breaks was not mentioned, but I wonder if that was considered as a "break".

I guess nurses are supposed to be super-human.

No Kidding!!!!!!

I developed an "urgency" problem, and was concerned. My OB/GYN told me it was from learned "holding" on the floor. He said he sees more nurses with bladder problems, like enlarged bladders, etc. because they are too busy go to the bathroom. He told me unless I wanted some ugly problems down the road, go every 4 hours whether I felt like it or not!

[MandyInMS]

Not taking care of ourselves in general ...everyone else is priority..and WE suffer eventually because of it..skipped meals,breaks,understaffing,the stressssssss in general!
I've needed to go to the MD myself for a few months now, but there's no TIME...caring for pts,family, my sick pet..no time left for me...I need a vacationnnnnnn! lol

[Marie_LPN, RN]

Isn't it ironic how patients' health is of top priority, but the caregivers' health is not even considered.

I sent a statement similar to the quoted to our VP. "In the era of the 'customer service', the employees are expected to bend over backwards, yet aren't given the time to fuel up before they do it".