NO LUNCH??? NO BREAKS??? Is that common in nursing?????

mamafeliz · Feb 22, 2009

So, this is my take, and what is legal. Staffing should be adequate enough that all nurses are able to step away from their patient assignments and have another nurse assume whatever patient care responsibilities are being left behind. It is supposed to be a 30 minutes AWAY, both physically and mentally.

This issue exploded on our very busy floor last year, where all nurses were chronically not getting lunch breaks. A letter was written to immediate supervisors describing the unsafe staffing assignments and dangerous lack of breaks. Let's face it, none of us are working at our best when unable to eat or hydrate, ESPECIALLY when working a 12 hour shift. There was no concrete resolution from that meeting, although some attempts made to remedy how to get breaks, ie a "buddy system", where one nurse would be responsible for double the number of patients. Unworkable on our floor. Eventually, a more pointed letter was drafted to the Board of Directors and CEOs of the hospital describing the actual bedside reality. We got some action pretty quickly. Our charge nurse is now no longer assuming a patient load so she can assist in giving breaks more consistently, staffing ratios have been more concretely defined, and we attempt to have a "flex" nurse to help give breaks, assist in emergencies, float the floor to give assistance where needed.

It is a legal issue, and no hospital wants the public perception of having overworked, fatigued nurses on the edge of blacking out caring for vulnerable patients. There is protection for workers pointing out unsafe working conditions.

Not only are we now getting our breaks, our overall staffing is better, even in light of the current fiscal crisis. There is the occassional shift where a lunch is missed, when things are exploding. We all step up and expect that sometimes. But the NORM is that we get our lunch. Push the issue of bedside safety. It is real and consumers EXPECT attentive safe nursing attention. It is our responsibility to insure that is what we are able to deliver.

rn4babies63 · Feb 22, 2009

Where I work we often don't get lunch let alone breaks (except for the smokers, of course)! I have worked 14-15 hours without a lunch. Our manager could care less. We are usually short-staffed to the point of not having ANYONE to look after your patients. If we are lucky enough to eat, it's at the nurse's station. The only time we don't do that is if the Department of Health is lurking in the hospital

lee1 · Feb 22, 2009

There are somthing called "labor laws" maybe, if every time you miss a break or meal you call the 1-800 # for you state and REPORT anonymously to the department of health, labor, the hospital/institution will be evaluated/investigated.

learning08 · Feb 22, 2009

I take my 30 minute lunch every single 12-hour shift, although at different times depending on what's going on. I turn over my pagers to my lunch partner, give brief report, and get off the unit. S/he only responds to unexpected things that have to be done right now, and how many of those are going to come up in half an hour? There's certainly not a constant stream of them. I can always make time to toilet an extra patient of my buddy's, suction somebody or assess a potentially unstable situation. For reference, we work on an acute floor, non-unionized, not in CA.

I make time to pee throughout the shift :-) It only takes a minute or two, and it takes precedence over everything but patient emergencies. I do not want to abuse my body and honestly, would not want to work in a crappy environment where employees are pushed so hard that they can't take a few minutes to themselves throughout their long days.

If I were laid off, I would potentially tough it out in a worse working environment (or maybe go wait tables somewhere :-) only as long as necessary to find a decent job, and I'm prepared to take out loans and go back to school. It makes me so mad that eating and using the bathroom are even a question for us.

I strongly encourage new grads to stay out of abusive work environments. It doesn't have to be that way. You *have to* have standards for yourself even in this day and age, don't jump on the very first gig just because someplace said yes, especially for your very first job. Consider potential workplaces very carefully and never negotiate out a fear.

$fracturenurse$ · Feb 22, 2009

It definitely happens. I used to work in an OR where nobody got breaks or lunches, and nobody cared. I learned to love Slim-Fast because I could run to the bathroom and drink one real quick. However, where I work now is really good. We all sign out for breaks and lunches and everyone usually gets one. I believe it's a management thing. I remember working on the floor and having to get another nurse to cover me while I'm on lunch. I never had any problem, but our manager insisted that we cover for each other. I'm sorry this is happening to you, that just stinks.

jmgrn65, RN · Feb 22, 2009

I ageee with Tweety,

I have been a nurse for over 16 years, I can count on one hand how many times I didn't get a break in a 12 hour shift, i have worked ICU and stepdown cardiac/surgical floor. There are other workers, as well as other shifts, not everything has to be down on your shift. Yes I agree that sometimes there are days that you just don't have time.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2009

There are somthing called "labor laws" maybe, if every time you miss a break or meal you call the 1-800 # for you state and REPORT anonymously to the department of health, labor, the hospital/institution will be evaluated/investigated.

Keep in mind each state has different laws. So one person's workplace experience may be starkly different than another person's in a different state.

For example in my state, breaks are not required to be taken. Breaks are optional, as determined by the employer, and as the work flow allows. All that is required (supposedly) during a 12 hour shift is a 30 minute lunch or dinner, off the clock.

Also, in some of these right to work/at will employment states where workers have fewer rights, the culture is so ingrained against breaks, one would be going up against the entire workplace culture. Not something many want to do when their peers are being laid off.

Babs0512 · Feb 22, 2009

To MASONRN, how dare you call me apathetic! You don't know me or my situation. I have tried to precipitate change where I work, to no avail. I have been called to the DON for "inciting discord" amongst staff, for this reason.

I live in a rural area. Where I work, it is "the only game in town". The nearest other facility - three of them, are all an hours drive from here. I don't choose to spend two hours of my day commutinig where 9 months of the year the wheather is winter and the roads are a hazard.

Don't bad mouth me, it is NOT appreciated. Furthermore, until you know me and the whole story, you're speaking out your bottom, which is known to be notorusely inaccurate.

Blessings

RNperdiem, RN · Feb 22, 2009

When my manager asked me a couple of months after I was hired, how I was doing, I told her what a difference it makes to always get a lunch break.

My manager said that she made it a point to run the kind of unit where everyone took their lunch break.

If you are behind, the other nurses jump in and help you get caught up so you can go eat.

Eventually, you return the favor.

Unit culture plays a role. That is why I have been working on my unit for 10 years now.

CleveRN2008 · Feb 22, 2009

RNperdiem,

I agree with you about unit culture. That is what it boils down to. I am happy and glad to hear that there are nursing units out there in which nurses are properly afforded breaks. My plan at this time is to work on my current unit for the one year required period of time and then bid on other RN positions throughout the hospital. However, this time, I will make sure that I understand the culture of the unit before joining it. Thank you for your response...I appreciate it!

makes needs known · Feb 22, 2009

Stop!!! We have to stop this. We call in when we are sick and we take our breaks. And everything goes on. If you get used to working without taking care of yourself you will suffer. You already are. You go to someone else and say " I'm taking my break now, please cover for me and I will cover for you when you go." Start taking your breaks. You know you deserve them, You will be a better nurse for it and so will you coworkers, and so will your patients.

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2009

Q. A woman's body was found. How did the police know she was a nurse?

A. Because her stomach was empty, her bladder was full, and her butt was chewed out.