breaks

jojotoo, RN · Apr 3, 2007

If you have a patient assignment, you can't just go to lunch whenever you want. You have to have someone to cover your patients.

But, in my ER, it is extremely rare that we don't get our full breaks.

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Apr 3, 2007

I know that a problem I have is leaving my co-workers high and dry.

The ER I work in can be extremely busy. I can't just say.... "OK, I'm going on my break now" and leave my co-workers to take care of my patients also. If I worked dayshift, I wouldn't hesitate to ask the manager to cover my pts while I take a break. However, I work nights.

I know that management knows this and counts on us being loyal to our co-workers.

It sucks.

There are a couple of people that will stop and take a lunch break no matter what. Everyone else resents it.

I really can't blame them, though. It is supposed to be our right.

I figured it up once and on average, the hospital owes us about 1000-1500 dollars a year for missed lunch breaks. Multiply the huge number of nurses and it's not a small amt. of money we're talking about here.

They know what they're doing.

And I'm sorry, but eating stone cold food at 4am in the nurses station while family members and coworkers are asking you to do stuff does NOT count!!

TazziRN, RN · Apr 3, 2007

In my ER it's common to not get our lunch breaks when it's busy, depending on who the house supe is. S/he is supposed to relieve us for breaks but there is one in particular (who is on most of my days) who just won't relieve us. She will find every excuse in the book to get out of it, and we have no choice but to skip breaks. We do get paid extra for it, but that is small consolation when your feet are hurting and your stomach is growling.

charlies · Apr 3, 2007

I really can't blame them, though. It is supposed to be our right.

The problem I have with that is that breaks are the law. I don't care what anyone thinks. I have enough to think about without worrying about what someone else thinks about me, and one of those problems is that I am hungry. I AM taking my break, see you in about 1/2 an hour.

PS..note to self...never get a job in the ER.

rentalnurse, RN · Apr 3, 2007

i worked a horrendusly busy er last fall on contract 11a-p i wouldnt get a break till 6or so if lucky and then told to hurry back (right) and if wanted a 15 in the eve when it was somewat slower to call home had to beg for it, one night i looked at time and was after 630 and caf was closed by then, went to charge nurse and she said 'oh we forgot to put ya on the list' after being there 6hrs and no break i told her find someone im going to wendys.. glad i want perm staff..

mamalle · Apr 3, 2007

I work in a ER and I do get my 30' lunch break. we cover each other. my manager loves to "assign lunch breaks" but that isnt very practical.

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Apr 3, 2007

We do get paid extra for it, but that is small consolation when your feet are hurting and your stomach is growling.

Ha.... we don't even get paid for it. It is unheard of here to fill out a "no lunch break" form.

One nurse (a prn person) once asked our manager for one of those forms to fill out because she didn't take a lunch. (This was at the end of her shift)

I heard the manager say "Well I have a Slimfast you can have" and then he walked off.:angryfire

I live in a relatively small town (about 50,000) but there are 3 hospitals here....and they ALL are the same. They have nurses right under their thumb where they want them.

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Apr 3, 2007

Oh, and management made out a cute little schedule for lunch breaks but didn't assign anyone to cover the rooms. (brilliant)

We have a manager and an "ER coodinator" and you better believe they take their breaks every day.

abundantjoy07, RN · Apr 3, 2007

The problem I have with that is that breaks are the law. I don't care what anyone thinks. I have enough to think about without worrying about what someone else thinks about me, and one of those problems is that I am hungry. I AM taking my break, see you in about 1/2 an hour.
PS..note to self...never get a job in the ER.

^^^

Agreed.

In some cases people like me who are insulin dependent diabetics really have no choice. That is a serious consideration for me. Of course, when you're low you're low. Period. But to prevent the lows a lunch break is imperative.

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2007

Oh, and management made out a cute little schedule for lunch breaks but didn't assign anyone to cover the rooms. (brilliant)
We have a manager and an "ER coodinator" and you better believe they take their breaks every day.

Can you not report these people to your Labor Relations Board; Every state has them. You can remain annonymous.

Years ago we were not able to put down overtime. Someone reported it to Labor Relations & we all got nice settlements.

You are entitled to Lunch Break. That's the LAW!!

clee1 · Apr 3, 2007

I take my breaks/lunch and don't give a damn who doesn't like it. The one occassion I didn't get a lunch break, I made damned sure I got paid for it.

I will NOT work w/o being paid (automatic 30 min deduction for lunch), and I won't risk peeing my scrubs because I "can't take the time" to go to the bathroom.

Some of you folks best lose the "Florence Nightingale nursing-is-a-calling" bullsqueeze quickly. Nursing is a job: albeit a job requiring a different mindset and skillset - but a job just the same.

It is NOT my fault that they cannot staff better. It is not my place to make up for the shortcomings of management. Period.... end of story.