Extended hours in pacu without relief

[btrfly76]

At our institution, as PACU RNs, we often work 14 to 16 hours with only 30 mins lunch break around noon.When we have no beds for our patients, we are required to stay overnight, sometimes 22 or 24 hours straight. Does anyone know what the labor laws are in Florida regarding this? We are getting worn out as a group and wonder if anyone has a similar problem and how do you get support from administration over this issue.

[grimmy, RN]

at our institution, as pacu rns, we often work 14 to 16 hours with only 30 mins lunch break around noon.when we have no beds for our patients, we are required to stay overnight, sometimes 22 or 24 hours straight. does anyone know what the labor laws are in florida regarding this? we are getting worn out as a group and wonder if anyone has a similar problem and how do you get support from administration over this issue.

yikes! this sounds like a truly dangerous situation. i do not work in pacu, but one of my fellow or orientees was a pacu nurse for the past 8 years, and she got out because of situations like you describe. between that and the patients that woke up and slugged her...egads. i looked up the fl bon (http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing/nur_statutes.html). i don't know what recourse you have, but good luck - you all need some advocacy!