breaks and migraines

nowplayingEDRN · Apr 10, 2003

I have suffered with migraines since 6 months out of nursing school. My physician decided that it was the shift and that I was too "Type A" personality However there are many more things that trigger them for me, including a very high stress level (more so that the usual critical care nurse gets...lol) as well as weather changes, lack of food, proper hydration or rest. Get one and yep! it will ruin every day off you have and interfere with regularly scheduled shifts if bad enough. I try to have healthy snacky type stuff that can be eaten while standing, granola/protein bars, veggies, fruit. I also take at least 10 minutes off my tootsies and have a cuppa and or some juice. If all else fails, 2 packs of grahmns and a cup of OJ outta the floor pantry will stave off a headache for a while. It was easier on nights to get a meal break than day shift and evening was murderous. I now work for the Army as a civilian and they are very good about making sure you get to the cafateria and get your 30 minute meal break. And if your facility doesn't let you have your meal break and 2 15 minute breaks (management is supposed to ensure proper relief for breaks) it is a labor law viloation. Unfortunately most don't care that a nurse's rights are violated. A pity that they can not care for the care giver.

Christie

K O'Malley · Apr 10, 2003

I get terrible migraines when I don't eat and going without meals was becoming so frequent on my telemetry floor job that I finally had to give it up. I must eat a high protein meal with sufficient calories to avoid a migraine and I just can't get this on the run on a typical nursing floor. Now I work a job where the charge nurse makes sure that everyone gets a break and the pace is more relaxed, so it is possible. We even take a breakfast break if we have the time. Imagine that! The pay is not so good but in the long run this is worth the pay cut.