Break anyone??????????????????????

[nursesue71]

Hi all, I have read now in a few posts that some of us have breaks regularly included in their hospitals and some don't. I just wanted to share something that happened to me over the weekend that could have ended in a really embarrassing situation for me:uhoh3: .

In the hospital where I work, (I work on a general ward, not A&E), we get 2 breaks per shift, and these are usually worked out fairly well. Ok, sometimes you get a break late, or slightly shorter if really busy, but normally everything works smoothly. That is until Saturday morning. The ward was full, and two nurses rang in sick. I, and my colleagues were rushed off our feet!! I started at 7 and was still without a break come 12. Although I was hungry, that was of secondary importance, I was absolutely bursting for the toilet. I know in previous posts, it has been said by some others that you can always make time to go, but honestly, I had not had a single chance, partly because there had been no time, and partly because the staff toilets are in another part of the building. It was the sort of need that had built during the morning, initially had come and been pushed to the back of my mind, then gone away, only to come back stronger the next time. I was working the medicine trolley, before lunch, and had to do a sort of stifled dance it was soooo bad. By 1, I was filling out forms behind the desk I actually had to grab myself once or twice, I can't believe I was doing it, but it really was that bad!!! I had now made the decision that if I didn't go really soon, I would be in trouble. The phone rang, for the millionth time!!! I was actually dancing while on the call. When I rang off, I had to find the supervisor and explain through clenched teeth, that I was going and there was no way of delaying it any longer!! I had to run all the way to the bathrooms, and franticly rip my tights down, but I had made it, only just!! It was embarrassing to think that I could have had an accident, or that most people had noticed that I was in a really desperate state, but I really couldn't have gone any earlier.

I just wanted to add this experience, because although as I said it was embarrassing. It also goes to show that even when you think that you can go when you feel like it, you sometimes can't, even when you are freely allowed to have breaks. I could have gone at any time without criticism from my supervisor, but was unable to, through just being far too busy, and wanting to do my job as well as I could I suppose.

I suppose what I am asking is, has anyone else been in this situation, when you could readily have a break for a bathroom break or food break, but not been able to take it for fear of letting your colleagues down, and the patients?? I have read many times on here about it happening due to not being allowed to by a supervisor or whatever, but not through someone's own stupidity, or dedication, whatever you want to call it??

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

How painful for you.

Fortunately our bathroom is close by and I use it frequently as I'm a big coffee/hot tea/water drinker. There's been moments when my eyeballs were yellow and the teeth were clinched. LOL

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I suppose what I am asking is, has anyone else been in this situation, when you could readily have a break for a bathroom break or food break, but not been able to take it for fear of letting your colleagues down, and the patients?? I have read many times on here about it happening due to not being allowed to by a supervisor or whatever, but not through someone’s own stupidity, or dedication, whatever you want to call it??

I never really get this feeling. Mainly because if my bladder feels like it's going to explode, it's likely to distract me. I feel i am more focused without my eyeballs floating. And it goes back to that "you have to take care of yourself in order to take care of others" adage.

(And don't forget, peeing in the floor causes a wet floor, a safety hazard.)

[SmilingBluEyes]

I would quit martying yourself for your coworkers and others' expectations. You do not care for you, then you can't care for others. Take the potty break, drink the water. You are human being, not a machine.

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I have waited an unreasonable amount of time in the past, but never had to do the pee-pee dance or hold myself. One embarrasing incident I will share- It was "that time of the month" and I was working dayshift with two nurses and one aid for 32 patients. I kept putting it off- and then I felt a huge gush running down my legs, and I was wearing white pants! (lucky they were very baggy) This was while the Aid was telling me of an urgent patient situation! I tip-toed to the bathroom as fast as I could to minimize the damage as much as possible. That must have been a sight! I now take care of my needs in a more timely fashion. The pain pill or shot can wait 2 minutes while I take care of my personal issues... Nothing short of a code or possible code situation will stop me now! Although I am still bad about eating and drinking... That gets put off rather frequently, but I made that a priority as well when I was pregnant.

[gr8rnpjt, RN]

Your situation brings back memories of my experience when I worked at bedside nursing. I did the dance too. What I found out is that I now have very poor control and it takes very little pressure before I "explode". I don't know if my situation is because of the numerous times I held it till I burst, or maybe there are contributing factors from giving birth 4 times. But I refuse to let my job keep me from my "potty breaks". Now, I must answer the call of nature as soon as I feel the slightest need.

[RN4NICU, LPN, LVN]

When you've gotta go, you've gotta go. The med cart can be locked up and can wait. The forms that need to be filled out can wait. A ringing phone can keep on ringing. I wouldn't worry about who you might be "letting down" in the few minutes it takes to take care of personal business. You will be able to care for your patients and do your job much more effectively if you don't feel as if your bladder is about to explode (or that you're feeling sick from dehydration, or dizzy from hunger, etc.)

Be good to yourself!! You want to take care of patients, not become one.

[chaosRN, ASN, RN]

When I began nursing, a preceptor told me...."you have to take care of the nurse (yourself) before the nurse can take care of patients". I use that today when I'm teaching. There are times when you're just too busy to eat lunch, but I almost always make time for "potty breaks". :)

[fergus51]

Unless I'm in the middle of a code or a delivery, I pee before I almost wet my pants. The phone can wait. A med can wait. A patient's questions can wait. My bladder can't.

[epiphany]

When I began nursing, a preceptor told me...."you have to take care of the nurse (yourself) before the nurse can take care of patients".

I received similar advice. Have always followed it. I even make it a point to empty the bladder before going into the OR, no matter if I need to or not.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

We all laugh about our 'pit stops' (or lack thereof), but it's actually a very serious problem, as holding urine too long can lead to UTI and/or pyelonephritis, kidney stones, and a stretched bladder wall. It's NOT worth it---we need to 'go' BEFORE the back teeth start floating.

[steelcityrn, RN]

sounds like the med surg days, when your hours feeld like days. but i agree with the others, got to take care of yourself first, besides it only takes 5.

[color=yellow]steelers are the super bowl champs!!!!