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??
