Burned....

edmia, BSN, RN · May 15, 2013

Im sorry. That's horrible. I think a sick call is in order

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OCRN3 · May 15, 2013

I second that!

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cardiacrocks, BSN, RN · May 15, 2013

How long have you been a nurse? Do you have a charge nurse? You need to take a break, it's a must even if it's just 15 minutes. Remember there are 24 hrs. in a day for a reason, if you can't get it all done on your shift, then the next nurse can finish up some things. What time do you typically start your day? If you continue to go on like this you are going to get burnt out and that is not good. You need to talk to your manager regarding this, please, this is unhealthy. This shouldn't happen everyday. I'm so sorry you are going through this. Do not call in just because of this, that's bad advice, the problems will still be there when you go back. Somebody needs to know this is going on.

dizzyray822 · May 16, 2013

@cardiacrocks I went in today. I only call out if really sick. Today was better. Got a 15 minute break. July will be 2 years for me as a nurse. I'm still on the same unit i started on. I'm thinking I may need a change of scenery soon but as miserable as my days are getting I'm a bit hesitant because they say the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Malina9559 · May 16, 2013

May I ask what unit you work on? Dayshift? That happens once in a while I've been there before, it shouldn't happen everyday.

EMEddie · May 16, 2013

Plan a move out, start slow, research other areas/floors, places and I am sure you will find something better. Meanwhile, take one day at a time, go to work optimistic and once you get off, change your mode.

dizzyray822 · May 16, 2013

@Malina9559. I work on a tele neuro unit. Our ratio is supposed to be 1:5. That's what it was when I started there. In the last year or so its always 1:6. If I start with 4 or 5 you bet ill get 6 soon. It's a heavy floor. All of the nurses are burned out. It's a normal occurance for you to not get a lunch or a break at all lately. Honestly, I adjusted really well my first year as a nurse. Had two nights where I cried my way home but I figured that wasn't bad for a new nurse. In the last 3 months I've had two breakdowns at work where I had to go to the break room to cry and I'm often crying my way home. I feel like I tell my clinical managers and even my nurse manger when she's around when I feel I need help but I often get resistance and it they are too busy as well. I don't know what to do. I love the patient interactions. That's why I went into nursing. But I find myself lately running around just to get the job done which leaves me with very little time to connect with my patients. Yet....admin wants good scores so the pressure is on to be super nurse.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · May 17, 2013

I worked acute care for 4 1/2 years. Can count on one hand the number of times I got an uninterrupted lunch break- precisely four times. Each time was on a day I was floated.

Every day I worked was a 14-15 hour day... leave the house before 6 and lucky to be home by 9. Can't ever imagine going back to those days.

Fiona59 · May 17, 2013

Are you billing for missed breaks?

Don't you buddy up to cover each others break time?

We'd be on strike if we had to work like this!

squatmunkie_RN · May 17, 2013

Are you billing for missed breaks?
Don't you buddy up to cover each others break time?
We'd be on strike if we had to work like this!

Not everyone has the benefit of a union or a manger that gives a damn.

Fiona59 · May 17, 2013

Not everyone has the benefit of a union or a manger that gives a damn.

Every job I've ever had (union and non-union) has worked this way. Missed breaks are paid for, I'm sure your state labour laws have some clause that cover this. I've never worked with nurses who won't cover for each other.