BREAKS?????? You've gotta be kidding!

[Joe V]

One of the big adjustments that new nurses have to make to the real world of nursing is the reality that nurses do not get to take breaks. This is something they just don't tell you in nursing school.....among other things. Just for fun...what's the longest time you've gone without a bathroom break?

[SarahMaria, MSN, RN]

I can understand being busy, but not being able to use the restroom or take a break? That is an abusive working environment and something must be done.

[Farawyn]

8.5 hours, 8 months pregnant, on a post op surgical floor.

[CBlover, BSN, RN]

Farawyn said:

8.5 hours, 8 months pregnant, on a post op surgical floor.

Been there done that.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I have it good- my team works our butts off to ensure that everyone gets a morning break and a lunch break. Sure, it might be only 90 minutes after start of shift for the break and lunch might not be until 90 minutes before end of shift, but we get our breaks in.

[GenSurgRNFA, BSN]

I feel like breaks are really dependant on who ur working with. If you have the right mix of people everyone gets a break to eat and goto the bathroom. But if ur short staffed or working with slackers you dont get a break.

[Farawyn]

aspiringCNM15 said:

I feel like breaks are really dependant on who your working with. If you have the right mix of people everyone gets a break to eat and goto the bathroom. But if your short staffed or working with slackers you don't get a break.

I was a float. I said to the ANM, who was once my ANM on my old floor, something to the effect of "are you freaking kidding me?! You are the only floor I float to that does not cover each other!"

Next time I floated there I got my hour.

[loriangel14, RN]

Saying nurses don't get to take breaks is not true. I work 12 hour nights. I get 1 1/2 to 2 hours break. I take it all at once. Days I get half hour for coffee, 45 minutes for lunch and 45 minutes for dinner. We all work together to ensure everyone gets their breaks.

[melizerd, ASN, RN]

I pee frequently no matter how busy I am. Unless there is a code there is time for a bathroom stop. We also get our 30 min lunch uninterrupted more often than not. Our hospital has really worked on making sure we get that. We have 5 nurses and 3 aides on the floor during day shift and we can go one or two at a time and the others cover. We have 18 beds in our unit.

[kalevra, BSN, RN]

Your hard work is greatly appreciated. Many nurses cant get their breaks and lunches. Think of it as a right of passage, getting indoctrinated into our profession.

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

I take breaks. Even when I'm busy I'm more efficient when I take a few minutes to regroup

[Julius Seizure]

Should joking about how "real world" nurses dont take breaks like its a badge of honor be an okay thing? I want to be the kind of profession that gets fair working conditions.