A real Lunch Break!

Published

Do any of you get a REAL Lunch Break? I work at a 600 plus Elementary School and it is constantly busy. I have no set lunch and the office staff does not seem to care if I eat at my desk or not. The main secretary is supposed to relieve me but her office is always packed with teachers and she will usually say, I was just leaving myself or I need to run over to Admin, etc. So I try to bring my own food and I usually start eating and kids come in 5-10 minutes later. The Prin is new and have other things as top priority and doesn't say much when I complain. :no:

The previous nurse left the new nurse a note stating that the office staff was very resistant and unavailable to any trainings. The Nurse Coordinator hardly speaks up and tries not to make waves for her job security. I inherited this mentality from a 2 year new Prin and 2 year new Prin Sec. Nobody else cares (AP is new and ghetto, the 2 front office clerk doesn't want any part of it and says it's not in their job description). I am actively looking for a better environment for next year.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Why do they think we are super people who should not have a lunch break? They just don't want to help out and risk the loss of a good nurse. It is embarrassing to speak to someone about it so then they learn to ignore it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They owe me and you back pay for no lunches taken just like in the hospital. Yep! :sniff:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.

I take a 30 min. lunch. There are times I will take my walkie and go out to my car in the parking lot and just sit and eat. Out of sight....out of mind. I put a sign on my clinic door. I tell the front office to walkie me ONLY in emergencies. Everything else can wait 30 min. You deserve a break. Period.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

glolilly, there is NO reason why any adult working at a school can't be able to tell a student "the nurse is at lunch, come back at___." One thing I have learned, you won't get what you need if you don't ask, and stand your ground!

Do they get to eat lunch? My guess is they do.

Of course, if it's an emergency, that is a different story. You are there, But otherwise, no. The headache that has been going on for hours? It can wait. Tummy ache? same.

Just say it like you mean it. "From now on, I will be taking a daily lunch break from 12-12:30. I will not be seeing students at this time unless there is an emergency." (And yes, you will probably have to define EMERGENCY.)

When one of the students asked me why I suddenly started taking a lunch break after 2 years without one, I explained to her: "Well, you now how I tell you that food is fuel, and if you don't eat, you will run out of energy? I found out that was very true by skipping lunch." The children get it. It's not a hard concept. The adults will get it too. Because they will have to. :yes:

Make it non-negotiable.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

glolilly- what is "new and ghetto"?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If I want to take the uninterrupted lunch mentioned in my contract… I have to drive off campus and "forget" my cell phone on the desk! Recess goes from 10:30 to 1:15 and starts again at 1:30. Some days lunch at the desk is ok. Usually it a pot-luck of booboos and worse. At this rate I should be model thin…… not!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
I have an "open air" office that is by the cafeteria. Everyone passes me on the way to lunch and seeing me seems to trigger their sick bone...they suddenly need to see the nurse when they pass by the clinic.

Maybe you could play the FERPA card and at least get some privacy curtains!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If I want to take the uninterrupted lunch mentioned in my contract… I have to drive off campus and "forget" my cell phone on the desk! Recess goes from 10:30 to 1:15 and starts again at 1:30. Some days lunch at the desk is ok. Usually it a pot-luck of booboos and worse. At this rate I should be model thin…… not!

It's the sitting. No matter how active you are at work it does not compare to being on your feet all day on a hospital floor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, Oncology.

I take one everyday... Well, I can probably count on one or two hands how many days I have not taken a lunch. But, I also have two schools and switch buildings midday, so I make that my lunchtime and eat in my car, generally. I have a work cell phone and they can reach me if needed. Mondays I stay in one building and I got to lunch at 1pm after both secretaries have gone. One goes at 11, the other at 12. Neither have ever complained about me going to lunch. I will not tolerate not having a lunch unless it's an emergency.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I take one every day. Maybe one of the advantages of having 11 campuses to monitor. No one really knows where I am. :sneaky:

If I were just at one campus, I'd do as others have stated. Put a "Closed" sign on the door and eat lunch.

Right now, I eat lunch many times with the teacher's in their break room. Interesting as a parent who has had 4 kids in this district to be able to sit and listen to them talk. Very interesting. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is an issue at my school as well. In our contract we are supposed to have a "duty free 50 minute lunch break". However, my principal expects me to stay in the building. Our compromise is that I leave but stay no further than one block away. This has been OK until recently, although not very relaxing. Recently there was an emergency and the principal was upset that I arrived to the scene 5 minutes after receiving the call to return. We are now advocating for another RN to hired in the district to cover our lunch time. Please see my post from today and kindly reply with the information requested. Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion