Yesterday, in the middle of a rather hectic shift, someone I have been working with and, helping whenever possible, let me know I was rather odd and stupid because I took the time, after completing a mid-morning med pass, to explain some new meds to a patient. Nothing too serious, just some new antibiotics and a new BP med. Guess I just should have run off some general info sheets and handed it to the patient. I don't have time to waste, according to this nurse, She needed me to help finish her meds so she could go on break. BREAK! Someone please explain what the word means. LOL!
We also get 3 15 minute breaks during this 12 hour period.
Three 15 minute breaks and 30 minutes for lunch????? Where do you work? We get two 10 minute breaks and 30 minute lunch in 12 hours.
Not that I even get that sometimes. Lunch break cut short and no 10 minute breaks so I can get everything done and not have to work the dreaded overtime!
I do try to take all of my breaks though, there is just the issue of trying to time it right so all of my work is done and my pts shouldn't need anything while I'm gone.
Yes, that is what I meant. We are largely taken for granted by patients, patients' families, and the healthcare system because of our willingness and expectations to drop everything and sacrifice our own needs for theirs ASAP, never mind the fact that you haven't eaten lunch or gone to the bathroom and have 15 other patients to take care of. Yes, it is our job to cure people and save lives, but what about ourselves? As long as we succumb to other people's needs before our own, we're always going to be the ones who be asked and expected to be the ones to make sacrifices. As is, they have no problem with giving us loads so large we can't take breaks, not providing sufficient equipment to save our backs, and requiring overtime. What's next? Nursing is in a hard situation. If we demand that we be treated better and strike, we'll be seen as heartless murderers. It's not like other work fields. If the UPS workers, factory workers, etc went on strike, it's not like it's going to kill anyone. In the healthcare system, it's literally a matter of life and death.
This bears repeating.
Thank you pp for stating so eloquently that sacrificing breaks is just one of the symptoms of a very very ill nursing profession.
Why is it so outrageous to take care of ourselves and patients too? Reading replies here by those who aren't even into it yet is so disheartening. It's seems that the future is just going to be more of the same. That's sad.
Yesterday, in the middle of a rather hectic shift, someone I have been working with and, helping whenever possible, let me know I was rather odd and stupid because I took the time, after completing a mid-morning med pass, to explain some new meds to a patient. Nothing too serious, just some new antibiotics and a new BP med. Guess I just should have run off some general info sheets and handed it to the patient. I don't have time to waste, according to this nurse, She needed me to help finish her meds so she could go on break. BREAK! Someone please explain what the word means. LOL!
I would have plain out said I don't need to justify myself to her and she can mind her own business.
There is a difference between self-preservation and selfishness, and people don't realize that you honestly have to put yourself first or you won't be able to take care of other things. Martyrdom is glorified and seen as noble rather than self-destroying, and self-preservation is seen as shameful. What is wrong with feeding yourself to ensure that you'll have the strength to help the starving?
A huge issue with nursing is that it's not allowed to think of itself; it's all for the patients. Yes, nurses are patient advocates, but fellow nurses are crucial and we have to maintain ourselves. One reason why teamwork is so hard in nursing is because rather than stick with each other, there are so many distractions that lead the nurses away from the original objectives, so we are dispersed to the needs of other people. Nurses aren't allowed to think of themselves or their own kind, they're taught to always think of the patients. Sadly, the reason why doctors don't have the same problems as nurses is because they look out for themselves. This is not to say that I want nursing to stray from its role as patients advocates, but we do need to look out for ourselves as a whole and assert ourselves.
Again, I'm not condemning the people who give into making the sacrifices. I readily admit that I'm the type to break down and sacrifice my lunch break rather than leave someone in filth or pain. It's not right for me to have to sacrifice my basic human needs, but neither is leaving someone uncared for. In these cases, both the patient and the provider are shafted.
Specializes in ICU, Pediatric, Psychiatric, Med/Surg.
I really don't think it is all that complicated. I don't think I can teach someone how to be healthy or be a good example of a healthy lifestyle if I don't do the most basic things that I need for daily maintenance of my own body and mind. I also don't think I can be very patient and kind when I am hungry and I need to pee.
la.. la.. la.. la... ummm what kind of a nurse is she?? she should had been done her assignment long time ago, since she doesn't really take time to sit and talk with the patients .
Pleassse! I worked for almost 20 years before becoming diabled. In that time I can remember getting a "break" only a few times and as for getting paid - ha!ha!ha! (best laugh all week!). If you didn't take your break you were punished for bien "slow and not getting your work done". Never mind that you were doing the work of 1.5 to 2 people.
A break is a period of time, usually 30 minutes, for nurses to sit, refuel, and decompress. It is required by law in every state in the nation.
In all my years as working as an RN I have only missed a few of my breaks because of dire circumstances on the unit and when I did I was paid double-time.
You are not odd or stupid. It's how things should be done. This other nurse you were helping is the one stupid and needs a rude awakening. Keep on what you're doing. You did the right thing and your patient benefitted from your thoughtfulness.
After 17 years in critical care I just can't believe that you get your breaks. Who in the world covers your patients adequately? If someone in my unit took that many breaks they would be forced out one way or another, right or wrong. Where do you work?
OMG!! Has this person forgotten that you don't even have time to pee (LOL). That is ridiculous. I am still in nursing school, so I don't know what it is like to be a nurse just yet, but the only person that I see as stupid, is the person whom you have been helping out. Kudos to you for doing what SHOULD be done, and that was putting your patient first. It is nurses like you that inspire me.
This is an excellent essay explaining why martyrdom is glorified even though it shouldn't be.
The most illustriative line is:
But what does a society which exhalts martyrdom gain from it's members? It maintains the status quo for the leaders and rulers. Martyrdom disempowers the people, and defers payment for their efforts, until after death.
Hmmm... leaders maintaing status quo by exploiting people who are encouraged to be selfless... cough management and administrators cough.
la.. la.. la.. la... ummm what kind of a nurse is she?? she should had been done her assignment long time ago, since she doesn't really take time to sit and talk with the patients .
jessnurse05
73 Posts
Three 15 minute breaks and 30 minutes for lunch????? Where do you work? We get two 10 minute breaks and 30 minute lunch in 12 hours.
Not that I even get that sometimes. Lunch break cut short and no 10 minute breaks so I can get everything done and not have to work the dreaded overtime!
I do try to take all of my breaks though, there is just the issue of trying to time it right so all of my work is done and my pts shouldn't need anything while I'm gone.
Jessica