Infrequent Voiding Syndrome: Don't Fall Victim To This Common Problem In Nurses!

The purpose of this article is to discuss infrequent voiding syndrome, which is an affliction that commonly strikes bedside nursing staff. Nurses Stress 101 Article

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MInurse.st

181 Posts

I don't get it.. Unless in the middle of a code how is it impossible to take 2 minutes to pee? Even if I'm busy, if I have to go, then I have to go...

Why just nurses? What about cops standing on the street? Bus drivers? Truck drivers? Crane operators? Cashiers? So many jobs don't allow you go run off to the bathroom whenever you feel the need.

This is a NURSING forum. This post is also an attempt to support nurses that work 13 hours without a break!

I don't think if a cashier left the register... someone would crash and burn.

Infrequent voiding syndrome, also known to urologists and other healthcare providers as 'infrequent voiders syndrome,' 'lazy bladder syndrome,' and 'nurses bladder,' is a characteristic grouping of signs, symptoms, findings, and features commonly observed in individuals who choose to delay urinating for extended periods of time. In other words, these people voluntarily hold large amounts of urine in their bladders while ignoring the urge to void. Over the years, long-term suppression of the need to urinate results in infrequent voiding syndrome.

The cardinal sign of infrequent voiding syndrome is an enlarged urinary bladder with a smooth wall and a larger capacity for holding urine than usual. In fact, the bladder of a patient afflicted with infrequent voiding syndrome is often so stretched out that it is capable of holding anywhere from 500 milliliters to more than 1000 milliliters of urine. Other signs and symptoms may include abdominal pain, pelvic pain, pelvic pressure, constipation, a slow urinary stream when voiding, a palpable mass in the pelvic area due to bladder distention, or occasional leakage of urine. Chronic urinary tract infections and reduced renal function are two of the main long-term dangers associated with infrequent voiding syndrome.

Infrequent voiding syndrome is a rather common health problem in bedside nursing staff who are employed in inpatient facilities such as acute care hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. Nurses and nursing assistants who work at the bedside must contend with multiple demands from different people (patients, visitors, family members, physicians, coworkers, managers, vendors, and other members of the interdisciplinary team) during shifts that span anywhere from eight to sixteen hours. With so many tasks to accomplish during very limited time frames, many nurses make the choice to voluntarily delay necessary trips to the restroom while at the workplace.

Nursing staff members cite various reasons for resisting the urge to void during long work shifts. Some of the reasons include busy working environments, insufficient numbers of restrooms at the place of employment, the fear of falling behind in one's tasks, inadequate staffing, and lack of time to take breaks.

More research regarding infrequent voiding syndrome is desperately needed because the affliction is an occupational hazard that affects bedside nursing staff who work long, grueling shifts. Infrequent voiding syndrome warrants more awareness because it is capable of greatly reducing one's quality of life due to pain, pressure, discomfort, and urinary leakage. Nurses should make a point to not ignore their own basic human needs of elimination. In a nutshell, please use the restroom and do not fall victim to infrequent voiding syndrome.

Well said and amen. Please note MY thread on being able to hydrate while in duty.

I guess we are little angels of mercy, that don't require earthly comforts.

annietart

71 Posts

Specializes in Trauma SICU.

Sometimes I get so busy I forget to pee! It's six hours into my shift and all of the sudden I'm like "I haven't peed in about eight hours, perhaps I should go." I honestly get so busy, or just so involved that I don't even feel the urge.

I also don't hydrate myself very well, but with all the coffee I drink I should think I'd go more often!

Specializes in PCCN.

maybe its cause we're seen as...... wait for it........... PEE-ONss !!!

Despareux

938 Posts

There's no way I can go hours and hours without drinking water and I won't do it; same for using the restroom--if I have to go then I'm going. I refuse to sacrifice my health so that I can care for those who choose not to. Just because I'm a nurse doesn't automatically make me a martyr.

RH-CC2011

37 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg.

At times I feel like I pee less than some of the anuric CRF pt's I get! I drink a V8 on my way to work and a bottle of green tea at lunch. ...what's that -- maybe 800ml in 13+hours? I'm sure I probably sweat that much out, pee @ 200ml at lunch time (Maybe I should put a hat in the breakroom toilet! lol) Geesh! No wonder I'm running for the 44oz cup of carbonated sacchrinized carmel-colored soda after work!

Thank you OP -- Just reminded me I need another bottle of water!

Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.
Thanks for another great article, Commuter!

Another temptation we fall prey to is not to hydrate ourselves due being too busy, or even intentionally so we won't have to "go" later. In the last few years I've tried to force myself to stay hydrated (well try anyway). It's those times when I don't make a lot urine I know how dehydrated we can let ourselves get. I'm getting real protective of my kidneys in my old crustyhood.

I assume that is my problem, as I often go home and pee and think, "Gee, this is the first time I've peed today," and can't remember even having to pee at all!

Unfortunately I'm on that path. So many times during clinicals, I wouldn't pee until my lunch break, or at the end of my clinical day. And at my job it's the same. In the morning, I drink a cup of tea, and sometimes in the middle of my work day I drink tea. That is a lot of pee to hold. But frankly, not peeing for 8+ hours straight is not as bad as forgetting to stay hydrated. I feel awful if I don't have water to drink.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN

4 Articles; 7,907 Posts

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I refuse to buy into the "I can't pee!" mentality. There is very little that can't wait for me to take the minute or two to go to the restroom. No, I'm not going to run to the bathroom during a code or if someone absolutely needs a medication now. But the other 98% of the time, there's nothing that can't wait the one minute. I may not always get to eat a meal or even take my 15 minute break, but I will use the restroom whenever I need to, come hell or high water.

Having to go to the bathroom has never caused me to stay late because I didn't finish my work, or cause anyone to criticize my performance or write me up. I think nurses in general put more pressure on ourselves about it than others do.

SummitRN, BSN, RN

2 Articles; 1,567 Posts

Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.
I refuse to buy into the "I can't pee!" mentality. There is very little that can't wait for me to take the minute or two to go to the restroom. No, I'm not going to run to the bathroom during a code or if someone absolutely needs a medication now. But the other 98% of the time, there's nothing that can't wait the one minute. I may not always get to eat a meal or even take my 15 minute break, but I will use the restroom whenever I need to, come hell or high water.

Having to go to the bathroom has never caused me to stay late because I didn't finish my work, or cause anyone to criticize my performance or write me up. I think nurses in general put more pressure on ourselves about it than others do.

Well said!

nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN

1 Article; 2,043 Posts

Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

One thing I will tell you -- pee before a code, if you know it's coming. And yes, I've looked at telemetry, and said, "everybody who needs to pee -- now's the time." Compressions on a full bladder sucks eggs.

I am the proud owner of a 1000cc bladder. We were on a Texas vacation, somewhere between Midland and Abilene and I ended up having to use a large drinking cup. 1 liter, and I filled it up. The family was amazed, and I was kinda horrified.