Specialties Private Duty
Published Feb 25, 2013
I've never had to pack my lunch - unless of course I had some yummy leftovers that I wanted to finish. But now I have to have lunch for a 10 hour day shift and probably some snacks for a 6 hour afternoon shift. I can use a fridge (although I prefer to use my insulated tote) and microwave at the homes. What are your favorites?? I've been doing ham sandwiches or microwave meals.
SaoirseRN
650 Posts
I make big batches of soup, stirfry, or stews and freeze them into lunch-sized portions. Grab one in the morning, ready to heat by noon. Homemade and delicious!
NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN
825 Posts
I always eat cafeteria food. Usually chicken salad sandwich and soup.
LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN
8,429 Posts
I make a snack pack of a boiled egg, 1/2 PB&J sandwich, cheese, and fruit. I also have protein bars and fruit strips. I also change it up and pack wraps for lunch. I also either get a flatbread salad at work or a soup and small salad. And lots of water, with an occasional 20 oz soda to get a small caffeine shot (never finish the soda, takes about 2 days) Helps me get through my 12-hr shifts! :)
SDALPN
997 Posts
As long as the home I'm in is clean and allows me to use the microwave, I carry microwave meals like lean cuisine and stouffers. I also keep my bag full of 100 Cal packs in case I get too hungry before my shift is over. I keep soda and water in the car so I never run out of something to drink. And I always have a bottle of Mio in my bag.
If the home is nasty, I won't eat. If I can't use a microwave or they don't have one, I'll carry lunchables.
I bring leftovers to reheat when I have them. And if I'm lucky and working in a home where the family let's me order delivery I'll treat myself one in a while.
PediLove2147, BSN, RN
649 Posts
I went to school with my patient so I ate when he ate. I always packed a sandwich, fruit of some sort, and a dessert. It got old FAST but I didn't really have a choice. There wasn't a microwave in the cafeteria. I think once I waited to eat until we were back in the classroom so I could use the teacher's microwave but felt really weird so I didn't do that again.
When I worked nights I would pack leftovers, lean cuisines, fruit, pretty much anything. I work in a hospital now and pack similarly except if I don't have anything I don't have to stress because I can just go to the cafeteria.
NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN
2,690 Posts
Lunch?!?!?!?!?!?!? Where do you guys work! Chewing gum while sitting on the toilet is lunch on med/surg!!!!
Oh, sorry, just saw the 'Private Duty'. Well, when I did private duty, it was ALWAYS junk food and Diet Coke. My case had dogs living inside and although I love animals, I hated the fact that they roamed through my client's room and leaving their fleas behind. So I took food that I could quickly roll up in a bag and tuck away.
amygarside
1,026 Posts
It depends on how busy I am, usually, I have leftover dinner.
Eleven011
1,250 Posts
LOL I know this too well from my LTC days! Hence my "newbieness" on having time to eat a packed lunch :)
PerfectlyPlump, ADN, RN
181 Posts
In PDN, if you don't bring your own food you are sunk. You are not allowed to go out, at least by MY agency.
I bring a cold Adkins shake to drink for breakfast, which can be consumed during the busy first part of the shift. Sometimes I drink it on the way, depending on the time of arrival, and the distance I will be driving.
For lunch or dinner, I love to bring leftovers. I plan and make enough on my last day off, for a day or so. I have brought romaine salad with raisins, chicken, etc. Really good, and healthy. I like to get that, and any snacks and drinks, ready the night before. I actually make a list, and leave it on the kitchen counter. Then in the early AM, I can just go down the list, throw it all in my cooler, add 2 "ice packs", and hit the road. I can't do any creative thinking at all before 7am.
But these meals take 2 hands to eat. If the patient needs me every minute, I bring a sandwich, and hold it in my left hand. Then I can reach out with my right, and divert him from crawling his way into trouble.
The biggest problem is that I don't burn a lot of calories working in just 1or 2 rooms...not like I did when I ran for 8 hours in LTC or the campus where I once worked. I have to be sure, in some cases, not to eat out of boredom.
CloudySue
710 Posts
I always bring a bulk bag of raw almonds to munch on and some fruit or a fiber or granola bar as a snack. For meals, either a frozen dinner or a small portion of leftovers. One place won't let me use their microwave (sensitive to smells of food they might not like to have linger) so I bring cereal and milk, extra healthy snacks, or chicken salad. Nearly always I bring a large coffee to reheat. I hate when the microwave is gunky and has lingering yucky smells. They usually are the same homes with sinks full of yucky stinky dishes. If this is the case, I also avoid microwave food, and the kitchen altogether!
smurfynursey
238 Posts
subway!