eating at the desk

jude11142 · Apr 28, 2005

Believe me it is never my choice to eat at the desk. I would much rather get off the floor and have a peaceful meal. That I don't have to be constantly interupted during
eating. However this is becoming more and more difficult. it's very hard to get time off the floor. Due to staffing issues I often time must bring food up to the floor and eat in the nurses station answering call lights between bites.

I have to agree, I would rather be off the floor and have a relaxing meal but.....most days, you have no choice. Either you eat at the desk and yes, answer call lights, phones inbetween each bite. Not very healthy. If you don't, then chances are you won't be eating. Just the other day, I came in for my shift at 3pm and the nurse I was relieving, still had her lunch that she ordered sitting at the desk. She had a bad day and couldn't even eat sitting at the desk.

They wonder why we get burnt out, lol. I think that it's like this for most nurses, we just can't get off that floor for anything.

JUDE

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 28, 2005

Our rule (on the floors that is, no food or drink in the OR of course) is that the bottle must be covered.

JeannieT · Apr 28, 2005

Hi Everyone :)

I'm new here and a new Nursing student. I had this dilemna the other day. I'm in my 1st semester and only in my 6th clinical when my RN said she had to go sign some mortgage paperwork and would be back shortly (30 to 45 minutes). She instructed me to gather one of her 7 patients belongings in a bag as he was being moved to Acute Rehab. I had NO IDEA what to collect but the pt did a fine job helping me out (thank goodness). In the meantime, I was the one covering her 7 patients while she was gone because they make no arrangements for this kind of break and I am in no shape to cover 7 patients on my own but this is all the patients had - ME ! Sad situation.

I will be one of those nurses taking my breaks. As students, we get out 30 to 45 minute lunch in the cafeteria and I will not being doing anything less than this if I am not paid for that 30 minutes. This doesn't make me a bad future nurse but I feel a responsible one. If Jeanne doesn't have her food - people will die from Jeanne's gross errors and I haven't come this far in school to lose my license before I'm out of my nursing training pants.

What can hospitals do? Have FLOATING Nurses just like restaurants have FLOATING servers to cover for the servers/employees breaks. How sad that we think of this in serving healthy people food and yet sick people who need critical attention get a worn out nurse for 12 hours plus.

I guess we can all make a difference, one nurse at a time, one day at a time. Ironically, the way we are treated by administration directly effects the care the sick patients receive so we are always being PATIENT ADVOCATES when we stand up for our own rights.

I see a lot of chauvanism in Nursing school and at the hospital - ironically being reinforced by old women (I'm getting there at 38 yrs but most of my teachers are old enough to be my mother). Some old dogs can't even recognize new tricks!

Jeannie

lizscott nurse · Apr 29, 2005

Jeannie

Love the "nurses training pants". Wish I would of thought of that! My

daughter's in clinicals and I can't wait to share this with her! : )

JeannieT · Apr 29, 2005

Hi Liz :)

I made that one up based on a DON who saw my group on the very 1st day of clinicals and remarked, "OH HOW CUTE! BABY NURSES!" I thought that was hilarious and hoped there was more of that kind of levity at the hospital (not as much as I had dreamed).

Ironically, a fellow student/friend is a CNA at the hospital and her yearly review was, "the patients love your friendly, humorous personality, however the nursing staff does not welcome such humorous interaction and you need to adjust the level of levity at the nurses station" :uhoh3:

WHAT???

It's not like this woman is sarchastic in her humor...she's just friendly!

Small thoughts for Small People .... is what I am a thunkin'

lizscott nurse · Apr 29, 2005

Hi Liz :)
I made that one up based on a DON who saw my group on the very 1st day of clinicals and remarked, "OH HOW CUTE! BABY NURSES!" I thought that was hilarious and hoped there was more of that kind of levity at the hospital (not as much as I had dreamed).
Ironically, a fellow student/friend is a CNA at the hospital and her yearly review was, "the patients love your friendly, humorous personality, however the nursing staff does not welcome such humorous interaction and you need to adjust the level of levity at the nurses station"
WHAT???
It's not like this woman is sarchastic in her humor...she's just friendly!
Small thoughts for Small People .... is what I am a thunkin'

Jeannie

I think I'd love your friend. Humor is so important! I work in a LTC were

we are encouraged to be silly, laugh and joke around. The residents love

it and it makes the work day so much more enjoyable.

Sandi

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 29, 2005

One thing to keep in mind is if you keep a drink at your desk, you might want to watch what it is.

Reason why i say this is that a few year ago on the floor i used to work on, one of the confused, diabetic, elderly patients got up one night and drank the full bottle of the nurse's regular Mountain Dew.

aileenve, ASN, RN · Apr 29, 2005

I have been a nurse for four years now and have worked at a number of hospitals while traveling and such. The hospital I work at now is strictly inforcing that there will be no eating or drinking at the desk. I have heard that this is JCAHO thing, but I can find nothing to back that up. I was wondering what your hospital policy is, and why would this be a problem. I don't know what is wrong with having a covered drink at the desk. Who has time to go and get something to drink?

We are not allowed to eat or have any drinks at the desk; reasons cited: " liquids will destroy computer equipment! ", "it does'nt look professional!" Never mind that we sometimes only get 10 or 15 minutes for our lunch and have constant interruptions as our conference/breakroom is in the middle of the unit! Mgr and Dr.s walking in asking for help or mgr discussing the latest clinical monitors!