Do your staff desert the floor during a potluck?

[pattyslattery]

I realize potlucks are popular. I don't partake because I'm anal about my food. But if sharing food brings us all together, Kumbaya. However- the last one went on for too long. People were looking for their aides, or their nurses, and they were "on lunch." Lunch going on 2 hours for some. Most of the floor at once, of course, because it was a birthday. One nurse's aide was gone from 11 till 2, picking up food, making the lounge ready, hanging with her best bud... Her nurses were PO'ed to the extreme. The manager is a loveable lady and does her best, and I know she ignored the potluck because she's like me, and when she found out how much time was spent on it she got pretty miffed and spoke to the perps.

But come on. We are at work. Years ago when I worked nights, I went to medsurg for some reason and every single nurse, aide and secretary, was in the lounge eating- including the charge nurse. This isn't safe or even reasonable.

Is it like this everywhere? Or does your place have rules? I'd like to suggest rules where I work.

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

Nope. For one thing our unit has food ALL the time, regardless of your shift. Which is great, but it isn't usually anything too special lol. If I don't think I will get in the break room on time to get something good I will dash in and make myself a plate to heat up later. But on my unit people generally have the common sense to put their patients first. It is too busy to expect other people to pick up your slack, and I for one enjoy getting out of work before 8/830, so I don't let myself get behind by taking a long lunch.

The only times when our unit seems deserted is when we have staff meetings, but even then they make sure there are a few nurse leaders keeping everyone alive on the unit

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

There is no reason a potluck cannot be held within the confines of a normal break schedule.

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I must say that for some reason when "FREE FOOD" is announced people tend to lose their senses :icon_roll Moreover, just recently my dept. had a potluck from around the world, let me explain everyone brought in a dish from their native country or state, the gurney's that were used looked great; and the aroma coming from the break room was unbelievable . However, I was one of the nurse's that stayed behind looking after our patients . Although my colleagues brought me a large plate with everything once it was over

[zorabanks]

The "RULE" is someone has to be the "bad guy" and tell them that they can not all be gone at once, nor can one person take 2 hours to set up! Come on guys we are at work...yea, I was always the bad guy...LOL One reason why I left LTC. However, people respected me, although I did 't get invited to the bar!!! LOL

[zorabanks]

Is there no joy?? Must we now complain when we have fun?

I think the joy leaves when people are not considerate of others. I mean why do you have to tell grown people, who get paid, how to conduct themselves at a work potluck??? Shouldn't you know that if all the nsg assistants and nurses on your shift are at the potluck, then who is taking care of the pts?

[boyfactory]

Our break room is steps from the nursing station. If we can't find someone, or need help, we go get people out of the break room.

[caliotter3]

I only wish I was back in a place where people thought enough of each other to have a potluck.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

When I was in school in ICU preceptorship, I once walked out of a patient's room to quiet. Nobody at the desk, nobody at the bank of monitors - no nurses, MDs, secretaries, techs. I walked around the ICU and nobody in the rooms. Just little 'ol me with 20 or so patients. Guess there had been a party in the break room, but when I poked my head in there (it's isolated down a hall and keycoded), there was only one ICU nurse eating cake. It looked like people had been there and gone. Where? I don't know where. But nobody told me they were leaving the area. If I called a code verbally no one would have heard.

How 'bout that.

[caliotter3]

When I was in school in ICU preceptorship, I once walked out of a patient's room to quiet. Nobody at the desk, nobody at the bank of monitors - no nurses, MDs, secretaries, techs. I walked around the ICU and nobody in the rooms. Just little 'ol me with 20 or so patients. Guess there had been a party in the break room, but when I poked my head in there (it's isolated down a hall and keycoded), there was only one ICU nurse eating cake. It looked like people had been there and gone. Where? I don't know where. But nobody told me they were leaving the area. If I called a code verbally no one would have heard.

How 'bout that.

Well that's a fine how do you do! Certainly gave you food for thought!