Dayshifters - do you take a breakfast break as soon as you get to work?

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2011

I stayed over from night shift to chart one time. A family member came up to the desk, stood in front of one of the oncoming nurses and proceeded to inquire about her relative. The nurse had a plate of food that she was dealing with. She refused to acknowledge the family member, even though they were standing directly in front of her and asking about one of her patients. Then the family member started looking in my direction, because the other nurse ignored her. After the second comment or so, I had to get up and leave. I just could not tell them that their relative's assigned nurse was ignoring them. Of course, I tried to help as much as I could, but I felt I needed to go somewhere to chart so I could leave. I recall thinking about how rude that was, much less unprofessional.

That's unacceptable behavior whether the nurse was on a break or not. Blatently ignoring anyone is extremely rude. I would have had no problem calling out the nurses by saying, "Hey, Nurse X, this person is trying to talk to you." Or even tapping her on the shoulder to get her attention. Maybe the nurse has a hearing problem, but most likely she didn't want to be bothered.

I know you didn't mean any harm, but are you saying that you just got up and walked away without acknowledging the relative either?

caliotter3 · Nov 30, 2011

No. "Of course, I tried to help as much as I could". I did not think it was appropriate for me to answer the relative from across the room (nurses station), and when I was not officially on duty, nor was I assigned to that patient. As for calling out the nurse, I knew my place in a facility where certain employees have the run of the facility.

To make it more clear, I did not think I needed to have more than one conversation with the relative in front of the assigned nurse when I was off the clock and had my own work to do. One polite, informative, helpful response was more than what she was contributing.

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2011

Day shift here 7a to 7 p, I get report, right down my to to's list, meds, orders... Assess and chart on my patients, cover any pain meds, then I run down grab some grub and then come back to the station and eat it there. mean while I help answering the phones and or talking to my DR's... Take lunch between noon and 2 pm, and I I am good to go... I just take enough lunch time to eat my food off unit, often 15...20 minutes... Some times I have time to spare during late afternoon, so I sit and relax, read charts, build a better report, sometimes that is all I get! I either give report in the patient's room or I hide in the Med room! I hate to be interfered by some other nurse's patient's family because she is too busy to respond, when I finish my report, I look around, make sure nobody is rushing, help out with ice water, and or assisting someone who is behind, then I leave!

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2011

There is no such thing as a "breakfast break" in my world, but I do usually eat breakfast at work. I used to eat during report (we used to do charge-charge report at 7am, had written report from the off-going shift and then checked in with the off-going nurse about any outstanding issues/questions) but they changed the way we do report. We now do bedside report so I'm on the floor by 7:10 on most days. I work in pediatrics, so most of my patients are still sleeping at this time. I go in with the night nurse, make sure no one acutely needs anything (I do not wake up a sleeping child to give them routine medications that can wait until they wake up in an hour) and if everyone is ok, I eat my breakfast. By that, I mean I take 3 minutes to eat a Luna bar or instant oatmeal. If the floor is really busy or patients demand my immediate attention, I don't eat. I have worked 16 hour shifts before without eating, drinking or peeing which I don't recommend. Sometimes you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others.

RNfaster · Dec 3, 2011

I wonder what would happen if nurses were regularly able to take a lunch away from the nursing desk/unit without interruption, and maybe two other short breaks as well... What would it be like if nurses could count on someone to help ensure they had their bodily needs (for elimination and nourishment) met?

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Dec 3, 2011

No matter what shift I am working I would not feel comfortable coming on and immediately taking a break. I come to work ready to work. I make sure I get to work 10-15 mins early and I use the restroom, get my stuff together and put away and whatever I need prepared so that when I clock in I am good to go. I really don't understand the work ethic some people seem to have. Chronically late, never prepared or ready, come on and get report and then ask the previous shifter to wait a few minutes so they can go get coffee or food or a snack.

Cuddleswithpuddles · Dec 3, 2011

I wonder what would happen if nurses were regularly able to take a lunch away from the nursing desk/unit without interruption, and maybe two other short breaks as well... What would it be like if nurses could count on someone to help ensure they had their bodily needs (for elimination and nourishment) met?

Some hospitals have nurses that are there for the sole purpose of filling in for others nurse who are on break.

Here in Southern California, the job descriptions say that break nurses have to have considerable experience. Makes sense since you are expected to quickly assume care for several "new" patients during your shift.

I am really curious as to how well that system works and how can I get in on that action :lol2:

joanna73, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2011

Why can't people get up a little earlier and maybe have a smoothie or something if you aren't hungry enough to eat before work? You are supposed to be ready to get report and work when you arrive at work, not take a break. That's unacceptable.

I worked mornings in the OR, and that's what the docs and nurses had to do. We couldn't eat in the OR, so really, you shouldn't be allowed to do so in other units either.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 3, 2011

it's interesting how many folks are getting all bent out of shape about breakfast breaks. i don't see the problem unless everyone is off the floor at once. if you can fit a break into your day, great! take a breakfast break. and lunch. and an afternoon break. if smokers can get outside for 20 minutes at a time four or five times a shift -- and they do -- i don't see why folks shouldn't get a break to eat. some of us can eat before we go to work, others can't. i take meds in the morning that need to be taken on an empty stomach -- which means i cannot eat before work. so i eat when i have a chance. if you cannot arrange your day to take a breakfast break ever, i'm sorry for you. but please don't be so self-righteous about it, implying that those of us who can take breaks have lower standards for patient care.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2011

There's nothing wrong with taking breaks Ruby. People should take their breaks. However, when you've just walked in the door, and/ or it's making a coworker leave late, that's not right. Others should not have to wait on someone because they decided to clock in and take a break right away. I've seen many people do this at various places I've worked over the years.

This includes the smokers too. Why should they have extra breaks to smoke? Not fair.

SydneyJo1 · Dec 3, 2011

There's nothing wrong with taking breaks Ruby. People should take their breaks. However, when you've just walked in the door, and/ or it's making a coworker leave late, that's not right. Others should not have to wait on someone because they decided to clock in and take a break right away. I've seen many people do this at various places I've worked over the years.
This includes the smokers too. Why should they have extra breaks to smoke? Not fair.

Exactly. I would never begrudge anyone a break, but when the break occurs upon walking in the door, makes me have to wait around to give report after I've worked all night, or seems to be the priority over taking care of the patient (all of which are occuring on almost a daily basis on my unit), then that's a problem.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Dec 4, 2011

There's nothing wrong with taking breaks Ruby. People should take their breaks. However, when you've just walked in the door, and/ or it's making a coworker leave late, that's not right. Others should not have to wait on someone because they decided to clock in and take a break right away. I've seen many people do this at various places I've worked over the years.
This includes the smokers too. Why should they have extra breaks to smoke? Not fair.

Yea I didn't see people having a problem with people taking breaks period. Of course people deserve breaks and lunch/dinner whatever. The question asked was about people coming right in and getting report and taking a meal break (which I would be really curious if this was the only meal break they took on a 12 hr shift since it's at the beginning.)

If you just came onto your shift then you shouldn't need a break. I have medication I have to take on an empty stomach as well,I take it as soon as I get up, then I get ready and I drink a protein shake before my shift so that I can get by for a couple hrs without needing to eat. I also get low blood sugar pretty fast so I plan a few minutes to eat a granola bar or drink an apple juice or something every few hrs so that I do ok.

So again, I think breaks are fine, but I would think you should be able to get at least 2 hrs of work in before you need a break if one is prepared. Plus in my experience it is never a one time thing, it's always the same people that are chronically having reasons why they are late, need a break right away, need to leave early and whatever else.