Looking down on those who take lunch breaks???

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2007

I take a lunch break 100% of the days I work. Fortunately we have a system where someone covers your patients while you're gone and you cover theirs while they are gone, and it's understood that during that 30 minutes you might have to help your coworker out.

8 or 12 hours is too long not to stop from some time out. If your coworkers don't understand that, shame on them.

bill4745, RN · Mar 21, 2007

In my ER, lunches are frowned upon if things are crazy, which is about half the time.

TigerGalLE, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2007

The only thing I frown upon is when my coworkers take an hour and a half lunch breaks... It's 1:30 I'm running around like crazy starving to death, and my co workers are brewing themselves a 2nd pot of coffee... :uhoh3:

CRNI-ICU20 · Mar 21, 2007

Totally agree with Tweety...

I wonder about this attitude....where do you suppose this 'thinking' comes from?

There's a little of it where I work....I notice that there's this INTENSE competition going on....as if some are still in some sort of nursing school setting, and they are all competing for the next STUDENT OF THE MONTH award...I see this filtering down from a management mentality that if the nurses are thrown a bone like free parking for a month and lunch with the CEO as their reward for their 'hard work' that it will produce some of this 'thinking'....

It's a bit like elementary school trying to please the teacher...get brownie points or something....

Personally, eating lunch....getting a break, gives me a chance to rejuvenate myself for the next six hours....which can be hellllllacious....I don't apologize for it...and if there are stares, or remarks....it's on them....

No one is holding a gun to THEIR heads to stay there and pseudo-martyr themselves all for a lousy parking spot!

I'd watch your patients anytime, so you could take a lunch....

Most of my co-workers will tell you that quite often, I will record their vitals, do a blood sugar, hang a new IV, or whatever needs doing....while they are gone....manytimes I have told them to take an extra ten mins....because there are so many days when no one gets a break....

They thank me for that...and sometimes they return the favor...

I'm not looking for brownie points....just trying to do what I can to help another....

Go eat...and take care of you....you are worth it.

mismissy69 · Mar 21, 2007

thank you all for your input also what im noticing is the nurses that I work with dont get out on to the floor until like 20-25 min after report because they want to socialize, take 50 million smoke breaks and call their families instead of getting out there and starting their work and maybe if they started their work in a timely manner they would be able to take a break. I want to say this so bad but I am a new employee so i don't think thats the right thing to do at this time. Im just sick of feeling guilty because I take my break, which might I add we are entitled to to take 2 15 min breaks which I dont I just take my 1 lunch and thats it and most of the time it's a late one because I get so caught up that I loose track of time

psalm, RN · Mar 21, 2007

We need fuel, we need to destress and we need potty breaks! Don't feel guilty for being human. If you are low on fuel, you may make a mistake and hurt a pt.

hanna-beacon · Mar 21, 2007

How are you supposed to take care of others if you don't take care of yourself?

We encourage rest and nutrition in our patients, practice what you preach is what I say!

Seriously though, you shouldn't feel bad about taking breaks and if anything, adequate rest breaks should be encouraged for the well being and morale of staff on the ward. But I'm sure that if like you say, the 'others' on the ward organised themselves better then they too would find time for breaks.

I'm sure if the smokers could only smoke during designated tea and lunch breaks and not willy nilly then they would soon find time for their breaks!

I_am_Julia · Mar 21, 2007

lunch breaks are essential. working within this industry one must have time to themselves to regroup. lunch breaks are the law if working over a certain amount of hours. if they are mad:angryfire maybe they need a sandwhich and a smile.

i just wanted to see if any of you other nurses look down on those who take lunch breaks. i am working at a new facility and when i go to take my lunch break i notice i get smart little looks and comments. now i make sure that all my patients are comfortable and not in need of anything before i go so that no one has to do my work. now you guys know that as nurses sometimes you just need to take a moment to yourself especially when you are stressed and i feel that i should not have to explain, feel guilty or be belittled because im taking my lunch break which # 1 i am not payed for & # 2 is required by law. i just want to know how you others feel about this subject and has anyone of you encountered this same situation.

TazziRN, RN · Mar 21, 2007

I have a problem if my teammate takes a lunch break without getting someone to cover for her when it's busy. I have no problem with the break being taken, but if there are more than 3 pts then I need someone to relieve her.

mismissy69 · Mar 21, 2007

I have a problem if my teammate takes a lunch break without getting someone to cover for her when it's busy. I have no problem with the break being taken, but if there are more than 3 pts then I need someone to relieve her.

ok so what do you do when you are short staffed and you're not allowed to eat at the nurses station & your nurse is feeling faint or lightheaded? do you let him/her take a moment to eat or take the risk of her going home sick and you being there by yourself? This is the type of situation I encountered sunday. I felt like i was gonna drop at any second and finally at 10pm (I work 2nd ) I said you know what im taking a break and after i put something in my stomach I felt better mentally & physically

hanna-beacon · Mar 21, 2007

Very good point! On our ward here we ensure that we give a brief report to whoever will be your patients. We try our best to ensure that breaks don't coinside with patient returning from theatre etc...

I really do have a problem with people who 'nip out' for cigarette breaks 20 times a day. Its unfair to those who don't smoke and its really not pleasant for patients to be cared for by somebody who pongs of cigarettes!

Fortunately in this job there isn't anybody on my ward who smokes, but it was a real problem in my last job. Of course here in Ireland there is the smoking ban in all public buildings so there isn't even a designated smoking area! Either don't smoke or stand in the rain!!