Do you get your breaks?

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

Just curious if this is a problem more often than not where you work. We are "supposed" to get a half hour lunch break and two 15 minute breaks in a 12 hour shift. I can see not getting the 15 minute breaks, but how common is it for you to get no break at all in 12 hours? It is happening more and more with us, although we do put in for no break and get paid straight through when that happens. So what goes at your place?

[Heather333]

I often do not get a break. I sign a variance sheet and get paid for my break if I don't take it.

Heather

[tattooednursie, LVN]

It depends on my schedual and what hall I have. If I have no showers schedualed to me I usually get 1 15 minute break, and my 30 minutes. If I have 1 shower, or 2 (if they are quick and easy), I some times get the same as I would get with no showers. If I have 2 or 3, then I MIGHT get my half hour. If I have more that 3, forget it. No breaks for me.

[plumrn, BSN, RN]

We usually always get our lunch break (30 mins.,not paid). Sometimes the lunch break may be late in the afternoon, however. We rarely get a 15 min. break. Never in the morning, and rarely in the afternoon. And we always get out late by 15 to 45 minutes; sometimes longer depending on the staffing.

[fergus51]

I usually get my breaks because if all hell breaks loose, the charge nurses will relieve us for a half a break at least.

[psychonurse]

I usually get my half hour lunch but forget the half hour breaks.....unless you smoke no one gets a break in our department.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

Occasionally i miss my AM break and possibly lunch now and then. But working 12's i try to make sure i get off the floor at some point. I refuse to work that long without taking somekind of break and recouping some of my sanity. I need the mental break as much as anything. Even if it is just to go to the cafeteria, grab a pepsi and wander the gift shop for a few minutes. Ive been known to go to the lobby and sit and put my feet up too. If by chance there is a day that i just cant seem to manage any time off the floor at all,, i write it on the time card and im paid for it.

As long as i know that the really pressing things are taken care of, and there are others on the floor that can handle things while im gone for a few,, im going. If there is something that serious that they cant handle and need me(which im sure there isnt), they can always give me a hospital wide page.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

When I worked at the hospital I probably had 10 lunch breaks in over 6 years. To short for anyone to leave that long.

renerian

[nurseleigh]

I always get my breaks, as do the nurses where I work.

Although, I work night shift. . . so that may make a BIG difference.

Leigh

[nimbex, RN]

On any shift, any day, I could justify not taking my breaks! Fact is unless YOU TAKE CARE OF YOU no one else will. Unless you take care of you, you cannot take good care of your patients. You would tell family to go and eat.... that means you too!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I always eat while I chart or do paper work. Quite often I don't get breaks. I did last night about 10 hours into the shift.

Some days I get nice long breaks, others I work 14 solid hours without a break. But I always 100% of the time eat something that sustains me.

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

Yeah, I figured it was the same just about everywhere. I agree we need to look out for/take care of ourselves, but sometimes it just gets you that much more behind when you do take a break. Can't win!