I'm over half way thru my orientation and I"m about to switch to nights. My son is 3 months old and still nursing quite often. I have already dropped down to 2 pumping sessions in 12 hours (which is painful let me tell ya) to better work around me working.
Yet somehow I keep catching crap about me pumping. I had 4 patients yesterday 1 admit, 1 surgical and one returned from a procedure within 20 minutes of each other. So needless to say I was busy!
It had been more than 6 hours since I pumped and I was starting to leak all over the place. So I told my preceptor I needed to go pump and asked if she could help me by giving one pain med to a patient for me.
Her response : "Nope, I'm not supposed to help you"
My response: "Wait you mean I can hang blood for other nurses, pass meds for them and when I get 2 brand spanking new people at one time and NEED to pump I cannot ask for help?"
her: "fine i'll do it"
wasi out of line? this isnt the first tiff we've had about me pumping...i was in tears yesterday when asking night manager if they are more accepting of pumping on nights (i switch next week) lol and she happened to be in break room when i went to get pump supplies.
BTW it taes me 15-20 min for pumping between setting up and cleaning...was only 10 min or so when i pumped more often but have to pump longer now that i go longer in between
I dont think you were out of line- I admire you for breastfeeding under such horrible conditions.
If you were a smoker it would be ok to leave the floor, a quick cig normally takes 15 mins. Doing something as benificial as BF is import and you should be allowed to do it.
Unfortunately, Western civilization is woefully inadequately set up to support the needs of the mother/infant bond. I think it's a sad commentary on our society as a whole to read an account such as this. We can do better.
I give you my utmost sympathy and moral support in continueing the vital task of breastfeeding, even while meeting the demands of working outside of the home, which is an economic neccessity for many women.
I don't think you were out of line, but as someone who gets incredibly b****y when I'm hungry and hypoglycemic, I wonder if it was simply a matter of your preceptor being ready to take a break herself, and being exasperated that her plans needed to be put on hold.
I would suggest sketching out a plan at the beginning of your shift and finding someone who is willing to cover your patients at the approximate time you will need to pump, in exchange for you doing the same so that she gets an uninterrupted break.
How common is it for nurses to have a hard time getting away to pump? I just graduated and just accepted a position, and am trying to get pregnant. I fully plan to BF for the first 6 mo., but I doubt we can afford for me to take more than 6-8 wks off work (if that). I've heard before that nurses are unsupportive, and it makes no sense to me in a female dominated profession where we all have at least some knowledge of the benefits.
In my experience, it is not difficult, and it is encouraged, as long as the fellow staff do not feel that they are being taken advantage of.
Time to pump is important, but so is time to use the bathroom and time to eat a decent meal. If a unit is so busy that staff members don't get bathroom or meal breaks, they are not likely to fall over backwards to cover for a pumping mom.
I think a nurse being supported by co-workers in her efforts to pump is influenced by the overall environment of the unit (how well the nurses are treated by management and whether the unit is adequately staffed.)
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't there some kind of dept of labor law that says you are entitled to get a break after working a certain amt of hours (like 6 hrs or so). You are entitled to this break whether you are pumping or eating or reading. Shame on your co-workers for giving you a hard time about this. You absolutely were NOT out of line!!
BTW- I am confused re: you preceptor's responsibility. I understand wanting to give you autonomy but if she can't help you with anything, why are you still on orientation.
Most employers allow 2 15-minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch break that are seen as vital for employees to function at work. Most employers also recognize the benefits of accomodating breastfeeding moms and often designate a room for them (some with 'frig) and provide the electric pump. If co-workers aren't willing to cover for a quick pumping session I'd worry about back up from them at all. You were not wrong to ask and you should have gotten more support from your preceptor. Very sad.
You should consider whether you want to work somewhere where you do not get breaks (or take breaks) . . . not sure if this is your employer's demands or not.
There should be break nurses available. Your charge nurse should be available to help.
Here in California, breaks for pumping are the law.
I breastfed my kids for 18 months, 3 years and 3 1/2 years . . woe to the employer who tried to interfere with my relationship with my kids.
I come from a place where you get one years maternity leave, so we don't have to deal with mothers who need to pump. Many of our nurses who return after their year, return to 8hour shifts rather than 12 due to child care issues.
My thoughts are yes, you were out of line. Once you are no longer being mentored, you will only be able to leave if your co-workers are willing to cover your patient load. Patient safety has to come before your need to pump.quote]
I had to re-read this because I couldn't believe this was serious.
Well, since we are still in the "dark ages" here in the US and DON'T get your fancy government paid leave, why not cut her some slack? Its not a smoking break, its FEEDING her child.
Of course, you don't "have to deal with nursing mothers" there either, I'm sure. What in the world did you do during your mother/baby clinical? I'm sure you had to "deal" with them then.
I don't understand not being able to take a break while working. Regardless of the reason, we are entitled to breaks, they help us to be better nurses and give our patients great care.
Nurses need to stop putting up with being treated this way and stand up for themselves.
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your encouragement. I really appreciate it. I thought maybe I was a bit out of line, but I didn't think so
And to the person who said i was out of line... I respectfully disagree with your entire post. I wish I was lucky enough to get 1 year of maternity leave but sadly I"m not. And I feel bad for your co-workers who wish to nurse beyond 1 year because it sounds like they may be lacking support.
madwife2002, BSN, RN
26 Articles; 4,777 Posts
I dont think you were out of line- I admire you for breastfeeding under such horrible conditions.
If you were a smoker it would be ok to leave the floor, a quick cig normally takes 15 mins. Doing something as benificial as BF is import and you should be allowed to do it.