After just reading some of the forums here on allnurses and Echo Herons books I am scared! Some were saying they work 12 hours with no breaks to even take a pee let alone eat. A new nurse was saying she just graduated 6 months ago and already regrets going into nursing just because the conditions are so bad.
I am still working on my pre-reqs for my BSN and reading some of that scared the crap out of me. Is it really like that out there?
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Welcome to the boards! My advice, for what it is worth:
Remember some of the negative comments you read here are sometimes a form of appropriate venting by human beings who have had a hard shift, week, month, whatever, or dont' feel supported in what they do. This is not uncommon in nursing. Just don't take anything totally to heart, but enter nursing with your eyes open. Shadow some nurses instead of reading Echo Heron's books or posts here, if you really want to see for yourself what it is like. Or get your CNA and do some time as an aide on the floor. If after doing these things, you still wish to become an nurse, I wish you the very best in your pursuits. You have to want it badly, more than anything, though, to succeed, IMO. Good luck to you.
Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Call Center RN.
This may sound stupid, but here it goes. I wanted to be a nurse ever since I can remember. When I was old enough I volunteered at the local hospital. This really helped. I ran errands and delivered water piddley stuff. But the nurses on that floor taught me so much. They would offer to show me things, teach me how to do things. I will never forget them. We even had one of those beautiful nurses, with the body and the long nails and the make-up and hair in perfect place, but she had a brain too! I then got my CNA and have continued to take steps in the direction I wanted to go.
You will learn the art of multitasking and planning ahead in order to insure your break time!! Of course, it doesn't always work but most of the time it does for me. Maybe not a full 30 minutes but usually enough to eat and go pee. However, there ARE those days. I've never worked anywhere that I could actually leave the premises so I always bring my lunch. You will certainly be busy though. And as far as your friend at 6 months post graduation...well, I remember feeling that way after I completed my LPN, up to 1-2 years post graduation (I don't think everyone takes that long to get organized). For me, it was because I was overwhelmed and really didn't realize what I was getting into. I had to learn to be MUCH more organized and how to multitask better. I think everyone does?? It is a big culture shock and eye opener (getting out of nursing school) Don't let it scare you away. Good luck!
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
OK--"just keeping it real here": There are shifts where I have finished after nearly 13 hours and to my horror, realized I had neither pee'd nor taken but a few sips of water.........yes it DOES happen at times and to say otherwise is simply not true. But if it is like this for EVERY shift you work, it may be time to MOVE on! You have to look out for you, after all, cause no one else will.
Smokers get more breaks yes I have seen that...but not just in nursing (I'm a student BTW) but I've also seen this in other jobs, oh sure I someitmes got all hypoglycemic on th ejob but smokers sure they got smoke breaks ....grrrr...nothing against smokers..but why do they get extra breaks????anyway......I think breaks just depend on how busy you are..sometimes as a student I get so busy or sidetrakced (by new tasks I want to do or whatnot) that I forget to take a break and onder why I'm so stinking hungry and feel funny :)
Ok I feel better now that you all have responded. Basically it depends on where you work right? And your time management, organization, etc I really appreciate your honest input on this cause I was getting worried about getting burned out with constant work and no breaks. I guess its just important to make sure you are doing what you enjoy or you will never last. The money certainly isn't enought to keep anyone motivated I am sure....here ne RNs only make $15.50-$16 an hour.
What is this "break" thing you speak of? Is it what you do when you want to be sure that all he!! will "break" loose on your unit? Two kids in seclusions or holds one of which needs an IM PRN and a flock of relatives at the door bringing in all kinds of contraband and an irate parent on the phone insisting on speaking with The Nurse....
am typing with one hand......breaks....yes....but only the dinner break, not the 15's. as far as the 30, i don't wear a watch and i don't watch the clock. some days my dinner break is short like 10 minutes, and some days it is an hour. at my med-surg job we have a very strong union. if you know that you are too busy to take your dinner break, you are to call the ns, and they will pay two hours of overtime for missed breaks. if they can make it possible for you to get a dinner break, they will....i do see some of the new grads missing their dinners, but i didn't even when i was a new grad....not too long ago either,2000.......don't let all the complaining get you down......some people like to complain....this site lets us complain..........have a great thursday...i know i will.....
BUT WHERE I WORK, CARDIAC STEP DOWN...THE ONLY NURSES THAT SEEM TO GET BREAKS AT LEAST EVERY HOUR ARE THE SMOKERS. ALSO, AS THE NIGHT GOES ON THEIR BREAKS GET LONGER....SO BY 7:30 THEY HAVE HAD MAYBE 2 AND A HALF HOURS OFF THE FLOOR....AND THE NON SMOKERS (THAT WOULD BE ME ) GET LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO TAKE A PEE PEE BREAK...AND EAT SOMETHING IN BETWEEN THE CALL LIGHTS GOING OFF, OR AN IV NEEDING LOOKED AT........OH, AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF......IF THE NON-SMOKER DOES DECIDE TO GET OFF THE FLOOR FOR MAYBE 15 MINUTES TO GET SOME FRESH AIR.......YOU GET THE LOOK OF A THOUSAND DEATHS FROM ALL THE SMOKERS..........SO YES IT IS AS BAD AS WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD........ THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT :)
Specializes in Interventional Pain Mgmt NP; Prior ICU and L/D RN.
Originally posted by Jayne LPN
BUT WHERE I WORK, CARDIAC STEP DOWN...THE ONLY NURSES THAT SEEM TO GET BREAKS AT LEAST EVERY HOUR ARE THE SMOKERS. ALSO, AS THE NIGHT GOES ON THEIR BREAKS GET LONGER....SO BY 7:30 THEY HAVE HAD MAYBE 2 AND A HALF HOURS OFF THE FLOOR....AND THE NON SMOKERS (THAT WOULD BE ME ) GET LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO TAKE A PEE PEE BREAK...AND EAT SOMETHING IN BETWEEN THE CALL LIGHTS GOING OFF, OR AN IV NEEDING LOOKED AT........OH, AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF......IF THE NON-SMOKER DOES DECIDE TO GET OFF THE FLOOR FOR MAYBE 15 MINUTES TO GET SOME FRESH AIR.......YOU GET THE LOOK OF A THOUSAND DEATHS FROM ALL THE SMOKERS..........SO YES IT IS AS BAD AS WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD........ THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT :)
I can certainly understand your frustration if the "smokers" on your floor take more breaks than others.
Let me just say as a smoker myself. Yes I take breaks if time allows (we are allowed 2 15min and 30min meal)....
BUT..I also try to get the non-smokers to step off the floor for a mental break, fresh air,,,,clear their head of all the beeps and whistles!!! I am the permanent charge and also offer to watch their pt's for them to do this. I can not help they defer the break.. instead they take 1hr for lunch if they want...
It doesn't matter to me...but I try to ensure that every staff member gets breaks...we need them for sanity purposes!!!
Try this..take a "smoke break", but just stand there and relax...for 5min?? let a NA answer the call bell. Ignore the smokers that give you the "look of a thousand deaths"...just simply tell them "I'M TAKING MY "SMOKE" BREAK";)
Good luck..and I am sorry that you don't have courtesous smokers...
yes I have seen that...but not just in nursing (I'm a student BTW) but I've also seen this in other jobs, oh sure I someitmes got all hypoglycemic on th ejob but smokers sure they got smoke breaks ....grrrr...nothing against smokers..but why do they get extra breaks????anyway......I think breaks just depend on how busy you are..sometimes as a student I get so busy or sidetrakced (by new tasks I want to do or whatnot) that I forget to take a break and onder why I'm so stinking hungry and feel funny :)
) GET LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO TAKE A PEE PEE BREAK...AND EAT SOMETHING IN BETWEEN THE CALL LIGHTS GOING OFF, OR AN IV NEEDING LOOKED AT........OH, AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF......IF THE NON-SMOKER DOES DECIDE TO GET OFF THE FLOOR FOR MAYBE 15 MINUTES TO GET SOME FRESH AIR.......YOU GET THE LOOK OF A THOUSAND DEATHS FROM ALL THE SMOKERS..........SO YES IT IS AS BAD AS WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD........ THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT :) 
SmilingBluEyes
20,964 Posts
Welcome to the boards! My advice, for what it is worth:
Remember some of the negative comments you read here are sometimes a form of appropriate venting by human beings who have had a hard shift, week, month, whatever, or dont' feel supported in what they do. This is not uncommon in nursing. Just don't take anything totally to heart, but enter nursing with your eyes open. Shadow some nurses instead of reading Echo Heron's books or posts here, if you really want to see for yourself what it is like. Or get your CNA and do some time as an aide on the floor. If after doing these things, you still wish to become an nurse, I wish you the very best in your pursuits. You have to want it badly, more than anything, though, to succeed, IMO. Good luck to you.