Curious about your job

rainyann · Jan 3, 2009

When I was a manager I made sure the nurses took their breaks. At break time I told them they had to sit in the break room even if it was to do charting. But at least it was known that the nurse on break did not have to answer the call bells, etc. If they didn't want to eat it was their business but I made them get off the floor and sit down.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2009

Scheduling a lunch break for myself is one my tasks, along with patient care and whatever I do. it's a priority. I can count on my hand the number of times I've missed eating.

What would you think it's not a big deal to work a 12-hour night shift and not eat? I worked nights for years and still ate once during the shift.

bananabubbletea · Jan 3, 2009

your body needs food to function properly. You might not feel the impact of skipping lunch now but later in life. I personally cannot skip lunch without feeling sick.

icyounurse, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2009

I worked hospital nursing for 19 years. Do you get lunch breaks? I can count on 1 hand the number of times I took a lunch break. Mostly its my fault, I can't just leave when there is work to be done and I'm paranoid that I'll forget something or someone will need something or no one will watch my monitors (which they won't) it could be alarming for several minutes and no one does anything!!!!
Granted, most of the years, I have worked 7p to 7a, so its not that big of a deal for me to miss lunch breaks. After having kids, I worked mostly 7p-11p or 3-11.
Even when I was a nurse for a general surgeon, I never took a lunch break, there simply was NO NONE Zilch nada, NO time for lunch what so ever!
I have always packed my lunch and then I eat it on the 20 minute drive home from work. I'd rather spend the time that I'd spend eating lunch(that would take me 10 or 15 minutes), to clock out 10 or 15 minutes sooner. We'd be raked over the coals if I ever clocked out "no lunch". So of course I'd NEVER do that, but its worth it to me to get home sooner and also to be there for my patients.

The way I see it, I can hardly take care of my patients if I dont take care of me first. If I have to skip lunch or take it late I notice that the level of care I provide decreases, not fair to my patients. I always take my lunch:)

emnicams · Jan 3, 2009

I have been a nurse for a year this month. I work on a busy tele floor. Only one day was I not able to take a lunch break. Now, some days I take a shorter break than others (enough to wolf down my food and head back out there). One thing that has helped is that we carry cell phones and our pt's call lights go to our phones. Can be annoying when you are trying to eat but at least I have peace of mind knowing that my pt's needs are being met even if I'm in the breakroom. Sometime soon the tele alarms will start going to our phones too.

RNperdiem, RN · Jan 3, 2009

I am amazed you have survived 19 years of hospital nursing hardly eating.

I take a lunch break every shift.

Yesterday was a crazy day at work, and I ate late, but I felt so much better after having some food that my attitude and effectiveness picked up immediately.

My workplace is one where you are expected to take your lunch, whenever it occurs. The other nurses will help you get caught up so you can eat.

I do understand how you feel about worrying when you are not there. Maybe you could start with a 10 minute break?

Jules A, MSN · Jan 3, 2009

I woof down a sandwich in the nurses station because most times I'm the only nurse on the unit and leaving for 30 minutes just isn't an option. They sure do deduct it from my pay check though. :down:

Pepperlady · Jan 3, 2009

In my workplace its not an option that the other nurses will not cover me, as I help cover them on their breaks. We each take 3 35 min breaks in a 12 hours shift (on occassion that doesn't work, but its rare).

Even if its not to go and eat, I need to go and sit and just settle my mind and regroup, put my feet up, close my eyes for a moment, take a deep breath.

I think I care for my patients better.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 3, 2009

In my workplace its not an option that the other nurses will not cover me, as I help cover them on their breaks. We each take 3 35 min breaks in a 12 hours shift (on occassion that doesn't work, but its rare).
Even if its not to go and eat, I need to go and sit and just settle my mind and regroup, put my feet up, close my eyes for a moment, take a deep breath.
I think I care for my patients better.

OMG (3) 1/2 hour breaks when working a 12? I'd have to pinch myself. Sounds like you have a great job.

makes needs known · Jan 3, 2009

Our employee book says that our superviser arranges the time for our break, and we are also supposed to go to her if we need help getting our work done. But she is soo busy. Everyone works without a supper break sometimes. But guess who complains the loudest when her break gets interupted. The superviser.

Pepperlady · Jan 3, 2009

I am Canadian so we have union rules .... we are paid for 45 minutes of that too.

I find these differences between the US and Canadian nurses quite interesting and while I am looking forward to working some short term contracts someplace in the US, I am trying to tell myself that I will have to expect these differences and to bite my tongue.