no time to eat/use bathroom?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 23, 2004

Originally posted by prunepie
hi everyone..i have read and heard alot about how nurses have no time to use the bathroom much less eat when they are working so hard... i am a prospective student and i have pcos/hypoglycemia..which means i MUST eat every 2-4 hours or i get verrrrry ill..... am i doomed as a nurse or is that what snack bars in your pockets are for? :) thank you xo jenn

If i were you, i'd make it very clear to instructors and co-workers that you HAVE to eat, it is not a put-off option for you. I would still keep some sort of food in your pocket or something for emergencies.

If anyone says anything, simply reply "i cannot give the pts. the best if i myself am not at my best."

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2004

I don't understand people who say they have no time to go to the bathroom. I guess because I have an active bladder and drink coffee and lots of water I make time.

I insist on nourishment for myself and for everyone around me. No way to work a 12-hour shift without it. Sadly to say though, I've eaten countless meals while charting. I could make the time to eat off the unit, but it's just seems easier. Sometimes though when I've been there for six or more hours and haven't gotten a meal, then I get cranky. But I usually have an apple or something to snack on.

ceecel.dee, MSN, RN · Jan 23, 2004

Tell them you smoke...smokers MAKE time for breaks, and everyone seems to just accept it (surely not like it, but accept it).

Noney · Jan 24, 2004

You make time for want you need to do.

Noney

Speculating · Jan 24, 2004

Save yourself a little time and eat in the bathroom two birds one stone:chuckle

Frenchy01666 · Jan 24, 2004

I would not eat in the bathroom. You are entitled to your lunch break and other breaks (2) If management can't give you those breaks then I would not work their. If you do not abuse it I see no reason why you can't eat when you need to. I am not talking about a nice relaxing 1hr lunch but 30 minutes. I do not function well if I do not eat and so you need to eat.

Speculating · Jan 24, 2004

Originally posted by Frenchy01666
I would not eat in the bathroom. You are entitled to your lunch break and other breaks (2) If management can't give you those breaks then I would not work their. If you do not abuse it I see no reason why you can't eat when you need to. I am not talking about a nice relaxing 1hr lunch but 30 minutes. I do not function well if I do not eat and so you need to eat.

Please, Frenchy lighten up!

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jan 24, 2004

Big problem for me was only one loo for the whole female and male staff. That's Nurses, techs, secretaries, Physical Therapists, housekeeping, transporters and attendings and residents.

You almost needed a reservation to catch it open. The only other one was at the entrance to the floor in the "lounge"....read 1 table, too few lockers and an intercom for TPTB to keep track of who's there.

I've never eaten in the bathroom, but I have taped report there. It was the only sanctuary for the 3-4 minutes of quiet time needed.

Speculating · Jan 24, 2004

Originally posted by P_RN
Big problem for me was only one loo for the whole female and male staff. That's Nurses, techs, secretaries, Physical Therapists, housekeeping, transporters and attendings and residents.

You almost needed a reservation to catch it open. The only other one was at the entrance to the floor in the "lounge"....read 1 table, too few lockers and an intercom for TPTB to keep track of who's there.

I've never eaten in the bathroom, but I have taped report there. It was the only sanctuary for the 3-4 minutes of quiet time needed.

P_RN it used to be that the restroom was the only place you could truly find sanctuary. But, now we have those hospital portable phones we have to carry so we really can't even escape to the bathroom anymore. It's gotten to be where you can't even cop a squat without the phone ringing at the worst possible time!

My pet pev I think has to be hospitals that don't have a dedicated breakroom for staff only. When I go to lunch I need a place where I can be brain dead for 30 minutes not think about nursing, not talk about nursing, and not having to do nursing stuff. By god they mean well and don't understand the implications of what it is they are doing but here comes patient Smith's family who wants to sit with you and talk about their pt family member for your whole 30 minutes.

Ortho_RN · Jan 24, 2004

See I don't understand either how people cannot take care of themselves enough to make sure they at least get a 30min lunch. We are a very busy floor, but they make sure everyone gets to eat. If you choose not too then its your choice

CCU NRS · Jan 24, 2004

Do both as needed!

I think a lot of nurses make the decision themselves to skip these things and then use I am too busy as an excuse.

I go to the bathroom whenever I need to, I am certainly not going to run around for hours attempting to hold my bladder, there are times when you can not just go the second you feel the urge but like many things there are levels, you feel that urge to use the BR and you are in the middle of something and you finish what you are doing and by the time you are finished the urge has dissipated and you forget and return to more tasks and then the urge comes on again a little stronger this time and you realize it is geting a little more serious that you go soon, then you finish your task and go.

I also see nurses that skip lunch or just grab something and then eat in spurts, NOT ME! I take my lunch break I give report to someone to watch my Pts while I am gone and I go to lunch and take a full 30/min. I need this time to recharge and just get off of my feet for a little while. Most of the nurses that don't take their lunch are the same ones that you will see staying late again and again on the premise that they have to finish something they started. Nursing care is a 24/7 propostion and care is continuous, that is why we give report to the oncoming nurse and they take over care and complete orders etc.