how long do u get for lunch?

Lacie, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2009

Lunch?? What's that?? LOL I usually manage a bite if I'm lucky but usually end up with my meal in the garbage when I realize I'm never going to get to get that second bite.

Sparrowhawk · Sep 14, 2009

on NOCS we get no lunch perseee. But I eat in the dead hours...usually on other shifts it's 1/2 hour unless you're charge then you're lucky if yo uget it

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2009

30 minutes has been the norm at the majority of my workplaces. However, it is a rare occurrence when I get a full, uninterrupted 30 minutes to enjoy lunch. My reality during most shifts is quickly eating something over the course of 15 minutes.

loriangel14, RN · Sep 15, 2009

Everyone at the hospital I work at gets 45 min.You do not get distrubed unless you are charge and it is dire emergency. Quite often our charge goes out to shop or something so she gets a real break. We have 2 luches, so sometimes all the girls from first or second lunch will pile into cars and go to the grocery store to check out the specials.lol

Whispera, MSN, RN · Sep 15, 2009

Lunch? Dinner? Officially, where I've worked, we got 30 minutes, but most of the time, all we got was whatever we could grab as we flew by it. I started carrying granola bars and peanuts in my pocket, and brought some sort of fluid with me too.

JomoNurse · Sep 15, 2009

Technically we're supposed to get 30 minutes. Usually get anywhere from 1 hour to 2 hours. I love the nights we get to all sit in the breakroom and just rejoice with eachother over homecooked meals that we bring it. We all bring in different dishes from home and share with everyone. It's so much fun!

cardiacmadeline, RN · Sep 15, 2009

Lunch?? What's that??

Hmmm.... I am not sure what lunch is either, but maybe someday I will find out.

SweetLemon · Sep 15, 2009

When I worked in the er, we had a full hour. All staff; pcts, nurses, docs. When I worked in internal med we had 2hrs.

:eek: :eek: :eek: What hospital do you work at, sign me up!

ErinDel, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2009

Sweetlemon, the hospital is in massachusetts...

NurseKatie08, MSN · Sep 15, 2009

Sweetlemon, the hospital is in massachusetts...

I work in Massachusetts...and I'm lucky if I can get my 30 minutes!

summerrose_10 · Sep 15, 2009

At our facility, we are suppose to get 1/2hr for lunch, and two 15 minute breaks. I have worked there for almost 2 years and have NEVER taken my breaks, and rarely do I get my lunch. Some of the nurses that I work with have never missed a lunch, and rarely miss their breaks. Most of the CNA's on our wing are clock watchers and the minute it is time for their break/lunch they are off that floor. Originally I thought it was just my time management skills needing perfection. Now I realize I just can't leave the floor if a pt. is needing toileting/meal trays need passing,a co-worker needs assistance with a pt. wound care needing done, meds to be passed, etc etc... you all know the routine.

I go home and think about the pt. and how lucky I am for not being in their situation, and really, how hard is it for me to give up 15 or 30 minutes to help make them more comfortable. If I'm having a trying day, I absolutely make the time to leave for a short break to regroup.

I've come to the conclusion some co-workers don't see the big picture and are only looking out for themselves, as long as they get their breaks/lunches they are happy. Some co-workers are real team players and realize they may need to miss a break/lunch once in a while, others will never sacrifice their time.

It's always a good idea to have some snack bars or other healthy quick snacks in your locker. I think many of us eat on the run and collapse once we get home. Bedside nurses probably get less breaks/lunches then clinic nurses who work with Dr's who take lunch breaks during the day, but I could be wrong there having never worked in a clinic.