Meal and Potty Breaks

[Weeping Willow]

OK, I am seeing this way too much - nurses who are not able to even take a bathroom break, let alone a meal break.

How often does this happen to you where you can't get to the bathroom when you need to?

What about meal breaks?

Do you put in for OT if you miss your meal break or do you just donate your half hour?

What are your options? Do you have a supervisor or manager who will relieve you if requested to do so? Do you and another nurse spell each other? Or is it every man for himself?

We get sufficient breaks where I work and I kind of have no choice but to take a potty break when needed, due to a GI condition. But I work with a nurse who has very heavy periods and sometimes she can't in to change her sanitary items soon enough and has accidents. This is really embarrassing for her and it makes me just plain mad. I always urge her to just go but she waits til there is a problem, says she's too nervous to leave the floor for a few minutes, even though I tell her I'll cover for her while she tends to her menstrual equipment needs.

[newohiorn, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

When I worked a busy surgical floor I missed my dinner break at least once a week (I worked 5 days a week) and often more than that. Sometimes there is just too much to do and I can't bring myself to ask another nurse to watch my patients because it wouldn't be watching--they all need something. Sometimes we're all getting slammed and no one is really in a position to watch because our charge nurse takes a full assignment. I'm sure I could get to the bathroom if needed but sometimes I'm running so much that it just doesn't happen and I haven't had anything to drink either so it works out okay.

I absolutely do not donate my lunch break--I get paid the OT.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

I have a hard time handing my patients off to anyone else. Luckily I work nights so I can generally go to the restroom when I need to, and we often eat dinner at the desk (as long as there aren't too many pts and family milling about, but even then we just usually share ). I consider that time adequate for my break even if I am not off the floor.

Nights when I absolutely do not get time to eat I will mark down for no break.

When I was a waitress the only time I ha troubles with restroom breaks (and this is similar to nursing) was when I was sick and had to spend more than 3-5 minutes in there.

I don't know if this really answers the question, but ah well :)

Taitter

[meandragonbrett]

It depends on the night. I work ICU and some nights I don't even leave the bedside of one of my patients. Then there are other nights where it's so slow I feel like I am being paid to be lazy.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

It depends on the night. I work ICU and some nights I don't even leave the bedside of one of my patients. Then there are other nights where it's so slow I feel like I am being paid to be lazy.

LOL I know this feeling ^.^

[I love my cat!]

Here is some interesting information on meals/breaks:

http://www.ewin.com/articles/restper.htm

According to this site, looks as though there isn't a Federal Law that actually mandates any type of breaks. There are some statutes for breaks or a 5-to-25 minute lunch, but that's about it.

I like this WY (re: Lunch periods)!!!

WY = 60 minutes for employees who must work on their feet.

[SICU Queen]

But I work with a nurse who has very heavy periods and sometimes she can't in to change her sanitary items soon enough and has accidents. This is really embarrassing for her and it makes me just plain mad. I always urge her to just go but she waits til there is a problem, says she's too nervous to leave the floor for a few minutes, even though I tell her I'll cover for her while she tends to her menstrual equipment needs.

For her to actually bleed all over herself, repeatedly, in the name of patient care is totally ridiculous! Go to the bathroom, fer chrissakes!

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

Usually don't get a lunch break, PB and crackers, h20, some nuts here and there snacks,BR break maybe 2x in 12 hrs, only swipe no lunch if it's been a real noc from you-know-where and my blood sugar just crashes and I'm physically sick and dehydrated then I swipe for missed meal. Sad thing is usually don't get a 'break period' but that has become such the norm I usually don't think about it anymore

[SICU Queen]

You know, I guess I've gotten old and crotchety, because I just don't put up with this anymore.

I eat, and I go to the bathroom. I don't ask. I TELL someone that I AM going to do these things, and then I go do them. In turn I offer to relieve my coworkers so that they too can use the bathroom and eat.

Be proactive. INSIST on being able to eat and use the bathroom.

[jackson145]

It's not only the nursing profession that this is happening to. I've got family in sales, police, and waitressing and they say the exact same things.

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

My shifts are never slow. I have to wait longer than I should to pee daily, and have come close to having an accident, on occasion.

I do not donate my breaks. I get paid for them when I don't get them.

I'm off today, but Christmas Eve is a paid holiday for me. It was kinda cool standing in line at the USPS thinking "Hey, I'm getting paid right now!"

Thank you, union!

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

You know, I guess I've gotten old and crotchety, because I just don't put up with this anymore.

I eat, and I go to the bathroom. I don't ask. I TELL someone that I AM going to do these things, and then I go do them. In turn I offer to relieve my coworkers so that they too can use the bathroom and eat.

Be proactive. INSIST on being able to eat and use the bathroom.

You are so right!!!!!!!!!