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?

[littlelimabean01, LPN]

I work in LTC where everyone needs something at every moment of the day/night. In my youth I would've gone with out a break to rest/eat or use the bathroom for 12 hours, did that as a waitress too. But now I have finally learned to take care of my own well being. I let my co-workers know that I am leaving the floor and going to our back porch if I am needed. Where I read and take my mind off of work.

I used to be that person that would kill myself to do everything! I learned the hard way that I am only hurting myself and therefore the people I am caring for because I was always stressed, not good for anyone. Stress is deadly we all know that, take care of yourself. Just don't be one of those nurses who spends 2 hours at the station playing on their phone. I see those people and I can not believe they are truly doing their job. Also those are the type of nurses who pass up call lights because they feel it is not "part of their job". I watch that happen often. I answer any light I see on even if it is not my patient.

But in short, take your breaks it is a healthy thing to do mentally and not urinating when you need to will destroy your bladder literally.

[tronlady]

Thank god I have the team I have!! I cannot imagine working with a bunch of asses that won't cover for you!?!? And you have to rely on these people in crisis situations?!? YIKES!! That is scary.

Everyone in my unit gets a lunch break, everyday, almost always. Its a very rare occasion that we have to skip it, even then we pop off the floor here and there to stuff something in our mouth.

[tronlady]

Bchapm01 said:

The longest I went without a bathroom break was 13 1/2 hours. I felt the urge to go on my way home after a 12 hour shift (7A-7P). I then realized that I hadn't gone to the bathroom since leaving my house at 6:30 AM AND DIDN't leave work until 8:00 PM.

Been there and it makes you sick when you realize it.

[apillarofsalt]

If you aren't able to take a break on a 12, you are either a poor planner and need to organise yourself better, or your workplace is screwing you over by not having enough coverage/proper management.

I would venture a guess that the vast majority of cases fall under the latter.