do you drink coffee during your shift?

Emergent, RN · Apr 5, 2015

I insert a foley at the start of my shift because obviously I can't find 2 minutes every couple hours to urinate. Pt care must come first!

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2015

Sorry, I'm not going to change your diaper before I have gone to the bathroom myself! I need to be 100% for that!!

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nrsang97, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2015

I don't drink coffee because I don't like it. I do drink water and pepsi during my shift. I have plenty of time most days to get to the bathroom even in the busiest shift.

Dan_lnd · Apr 5, 2015

I drink coffee every minute

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 5, 2015

I drink coffee. I also always make time to empty the bladder: short of a full blown code, there's nothing going on that can't wait for 90 seconds.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2015

I think places that don't allow drinks at the nurses stations are insane. How in the world can the nurses get through 12 hour shifts without having frequent, convenient access to water?!
I drink one coffee upon waking up, and one at about 2AM. Both are half-strength caffeine. I also try to drink at least a liter of water at work, sometimes more.

We have some ice/water machines on our unit, and lots of Styrofoam cups. We have unlimited access to water--just can't bring our own bottles or cups. They say it's an infection control issue; we've had travel mugs left behind, nobody knowing they didn't belong to someone there, and the drinks inside spoil. :barf02:

Jules A, MSN · Apr 5, 2015

I drink coffee. I also always make time to empty the bladder: short of a full blown code, there's nothing going on that can't wait for 90 seconds.

Darn you are quick! I like it.

empatheticRN · Apr 5, 2015

i drink a maximum of 2 cups. Anymore and i'm jittery

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 5, 2015

I aim for my 12:00 coffee every single shift, and if I don't work again the next day/night, I'll have another closer to the end of the shift. I have one on the way in, and if I'm feeling it, I might have another after that. I just love coffee so much. It is the glorious, glorious nectar of the gods. My life would cease to exist if ever coffee and I parted ways.

I would give up sex and wine before I would give up my coffee.

anon456, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2015

We have some ice/water machines on our unit, and lots of Styrofoam cups. We have unlimited access to water--just can't bring our own bottles or cups. They say it's an infection control issue; we've had travel mugs left behind, nobody knowing they didn't belong to someone there, and the drinks inside spoil.

That's true for the ones left behind. Yuck! and containers left in the breakroom! Double-yuck. I have had to clean out the supervisor office, where we have the unit lost and found. It was smelling in there and I couldn't stand it, and I tossed probably $250 worth of nice mugs.

TransportJockey, EMT-P · Apr 5, 2015

On 12 hour night shifts I have a cup at the beginning of shift, and then I switch to hot chai. On 24 hour or longer shifts I drink the stuff the entire time (usually not working in facility at that point, out in the field) with the only caution I take is that I know if I have a long flight (4+ hours) that we get dispatched to I cut back on the coffee.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Apr 5, 2015

Kind of a silly question, but I've been wondering for some time now. do you have enough time, is there a rule preventing it, do you try to limit fluid intake because you don't have enough time to go to the bathroom?

Only drink one coffee -- usually on the way to work. But I do try to drink water during my shift.

You MAKE time to go to the bathroom.