Eating right as OR nurse

[GMSinCA]

I work in outpatient OR. We are understaffed, lunch breaks not always given ( and if they are sometimes after 7 hours of work). They provide us with lunch but it not healthy (think Chinese and taco shop), so usually I eat what they give us because I am so hungry it and it is readily available. It has really taken a toll on my health. I am not getting enough calories in my diet and my energy level has gotten pretty low.I would love to hear suggestions or learn what other operating room nurses are doing in these situations!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I try to pack my lunch. Back when there wasn't enough fridge space, I always had an ice pack or two to keep things cold and left it in my locker. If I can't eat it all at once, I usually have time to eat either the granola bar or yogurt in between cases. Small, handheld items that can be healthy but eaten on the fly work pretty well for me. And not that money is what matters most, but are you compensated when you don't get a lunch break? We automatically have that half hour deducted, but we just have to let our manager know we didn't get a break and they take it out so we get paid.

[GMSinCA]

I try to pack my lunch. Back when there wasn't enough fridge space, I always had an ice pack or two to keep things cold and left it in my locker. If I can't eat it all at once, I usually have time to eat either the granola bar or yogurt in between cases. Small, handheld items that can be healthy but eaten on the fly work pretty well for me. And not that money is what matters most, but are you compensated when you don't get a lunch break? We automatically have that half hour deducted, but we just have to let our manager know we didn't get a break and they take it out so we get paid.

In California if you don't get a lunch break within the first five hours of your shift you get a penalty hour, which is basically an extra hour of pay. Nice to have the extra money but gets old!

[CheesePotato, BSN, RN]

I can totally relate to your situation of being run ragged and not allowed time to fuel up. Personally, most days I sustain myself off of energy bars, espresso and pure adrenaline.

However, when I do decide to give my diet and health a little forethought, I make sure to eat a protein rich breakfast for prolonged energy burn and I keep a soy protein shake mix and mixer cup on hand in my locker at work. I may not have time to eat, but I can slam a shake like a boss.

Is it perfect? Absolutely not. Does it get old? Well sure. Who want's to sustain themselves on liquid chalk every day of the week?

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[CaliLvr000, BSN, RN]

Why does the OR make me so HUNGRY??? I am always starving at work even after my meals!!!

[ORoxyO]

Why does the OR make me so HUNGRY??? I am always starving at work even after my meals!!!

Me too! I swear all I think about at work is food.

[Travelswithmutt]

Yes, it is hard to eat healthy in the OR! I bring 2 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every day and a bag of grapes or a banana. It's too hard fighting for real estate in the fridge so it's easy to keep these items in a locker, they are healthy and then if the OR does supply food you can pick one or two things without having to nosh on a trough full of garbage/junk.

[cdsga]

I eat high protein grains/egg lots of water prior to my shift. Go to the bathroom before I start and I don't eat meat on the job because it personally makes me sluggish and sleepy, and I stay away from the cafeteria food, it makes me feel like I have a brick in my stomach and have heartburn. I bring Greek Yogurt, homemade granola with dried fruit/nuts, an apple/orange or banana. That's my best work food. Oh and maybe a snicker bar. That's a meal in itself--LOL.