Do your staff desert the floor during a potluck?

anotherone, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2012

We don't have rules. Even though pletny of staff members are idiots, here seems to be enough common sence amoung the majority that this isn't a good idea to have everyone gone at once. i dunno how your unit is set up but our break room is set up in the middle of the unit and we can still see most of the unit from our break room. During the day there would never be enough people in there since only 4-6 can fit in there at once to eat. At nights people tend to eat at the desk so they can watch their own patients, that is the mentality on the unit and getting someone to "cover " for you is often more trouble than it is worth. How often do you have these parties? We rarely see them where I work. lol

fiveofpeep · Feb 9, 2012

It doesn't happen with us, but in ICU you can't really afford to ditch your patients if you don't want them to crash or extubate or climb out of bed while you're gone

allnurses Guide · Feb 9, 2012

Sounds like there was a little joy in the workplace.That's nice, I think.If we have a little party and more staff leave the floor than usual, then whoever is on the floor will just call someone back out to the floor when they need to.You divide into groups and decide which group goes when and call someone back out for more help if you urgently need it.Is there no joy?? Must we now complain when we have fun?

All4NursingRN · Feb 9, 2012

During our potlucks (that's usually organized by our charge nurse anyway) she usually tells us to go in groups of 2 or 3. Love it!

NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN · Feb 9, 2012

On our unit only day shift gets stuff like that. The rest of us get dried out leftovers that have been sitting out too long to be trusted for consumption. So I guess we don't all disappear at the sound of a potluck.

:barf01:

Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2012

On our unit only day shift gets stuff like that. The rest of us get dried out leftovers that have been sitting out too long to be trusted for consumption. So I guess we don't all disappear at the sound of a potluck
. There is nothing that says that other shifts can't do a Potluck. If you want a potluck, organize one!

rdsxfnrn · Feb 9, 2012

I am a school nurse. Today there are goodies in the faculty room. I am unsure who is teaching the students at this point.

Altra, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2012

Sounds like your manager has dealt with the situation. Let it be.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2012

In the old days we had them in the nurses station so we were available to the floor. With The JC and rules..... that no longer happens (wink, wink) during the night. If there is a problem why don't you just talk to your co-workers in a non confrontational manner and negotiate a better solution? I have found that most of the time the "offenders" really unaware how long they have been gone and that there has been a problem. :)

I love my cat! · Feb 9, 2012

Potlucks go on, but I never participate. Certain people (always the same, too) seem to be able to break away from their duties and get to the potluck and by the time the rest of us get our patient stabilized, nothing is left except the fork swimming sauce at the bottom of the pan. What I find extremely selfish and really low-class are the Nurses who make the mad dash to the pot-luck and then walk out with three plates of food, each piled sky-high.

Oh well. I am envious of the people that can make it work in their facility. No matter how much planning goes on in ours, once the word 'potluck' gets out-it's over.

Poi Dog · Feb 9, 2012

Nah, at 1700 when management leaves and the evening shift (potluck bunch) has the floor, we bring the goodies to the nurses's station. Luckily our main entrance is locked at 1630 and people have to ring a bell to be let in. That leaves us enough time to get rid of the evidence :smokin: