Breaks

I work at a Behavioral Health Hospital and rarely get a meal break while at work. Last night was a fine example. Eventhough I was busy with 5 orginal patients, a transfer from a different unit and three new admits I was told that it was my fault that I didn't get a break. I was told that I had poor time management skills and my lack of a break was essentially my own fault.

Last time I checked admit's take about an hour to complete sometimes more, transferred patients need to be oriented to the new unit as well and in the case last night the patient was not appropriate for my department and ultimately I had to get a doctors order to move her back. So, with that being said that is at least 4 hours of my evening. On top of that I completed 8 assessments, gave medications and since the hospital doesn't have a night house keeping staff I cleaned a room left filthy by the patient who was moved out. Yet, it's my fault that I didn't get a break or that I have poor time management skills? It seems to me that I worked my rear end off last night and my patients remained safe. Last I checked that was my job. In contrast isn't it your employees job to make sure their employees have appropriate breaks during their shift or get paid if they cannot take one? I hold up my end of this bargan nightly, my employer does not. I hope this isn't the norm throughout the country as I'm now in the market for a new position.