Clock OUT and IN for lunch in a NICU???

*BittyBabyGrower* · Oct 11, 2009, 04:39 PM

Re: Clock OUT and IN for lunch in a NICU???

First I'd have to ask about your staffing...we usually have a census of 40-46 with 16-18 nurses and we all manage to get our lunch without jeopardizing patient safety. It may mean that some don't get lunch at high noon, but we alternate and work with each other to make sure the kids are covered. You need to talk to management if there is an issue. We don't have to clock out, we are automatically deducted unless we fill out a time variance form, but most of us do leave the floor, even at night.

*ivanh3* · Oct 17, 2009, 10:53 PM

Re: Clock OUT and IN for lunch in a NICU???

Originally Posted by Jerico

I am working in an NICU, and in order for us to take lunches, we all must coordinate with our baymates to leave for our now MANDATORY unpaid lunch in the breakroom on the floor. This leaves TWO nurses for 9 critical babies....on vents and such.

I do not feel comfortable leaving other nurses who already have hands full with my THREE babies.

I am wondering what kind of NICU triples all of its nurses with three critical babies. That sounds like a pretty dangerous setup to me. Forget lunches. What about trips to interventional radiology, getting tied up with one (of the three), bedside procedures, or if someone is at lunch and then someone else gets tied up, etc.

So are they really all critical? I have worked in three NICUs, and usually its the feeder/growers that are getting tripled. If they are all critical then good grief, get out of there, you are doing nothing but putting your license in danger.

*Mimi2RN* · Oct 18, 2009, 11:32 PM

Re: Clock OUT and IN for lunch in a NICU???

Originally Posted by scaredofshots

I agree with you. I work in the ER. We are also told to clock out for 30 minutes. Some nurses just hand over their badge to one nurse who clocks everyone out and the secretary keeps up with the time so she can clock those nurses back in. We hardly ever sit down during our 12 hr shift. I have clocked out 3 times in the last month for a "lunch break" and then forgot to clock back in because I had to run back out to check in EMS! What are they thinking????

Take a look at Labor laws. No break, don't clock out, and don't ever let someone else clock out for you. You can be fired for that.
I'm a charge nurse, and I will always co-sign when someone missed a break.. I know how crazy we can get.

New To Site	Need Help	Quick Links
Create An Account General Site Map allnurses.com Journals Terms Of Service Privacy Policy Testimonials Meet Our Staff Advertising Information	Information Center & FAQ Boards of Nursing How-To Video Tutorials Did you forget your password? Compare Membership Contact allnurses.com Text Version Mark All Sections As Read	United States Nursing International Nursing Nursing Specialty Advanced Practice Nursing Critical Care Nursing Nursing Specialties Get In Touch... Find Us On Facebook Follow Us On Twitter

Clock OUT and IN for lunch in a NICU???

Nursing News

Interesting article on ThedaCare's Collaborative Care Model

Possible breakthrough regarding MS

16th Philly area hospital to stop delivering babies: Mercy...

Really interesting article on Indian open hearts

High-Tech Pump Does What Her Heart Can't

Air Force RN Found Not Guilty

California Imposes Stricter Rules Regarding Drug Abuse In...

Are older nurses being forced out of the profession?

An outlook in California?

Australian surgeons successfully separate conjoined twins

Available Topics (tags)