Looking down on those who take lunch breaks???

BULLYDAWGRN, RN · Mar 21, 2007

We will take lunch breaks if not to busy, but we are lucky our team leader and the other folks in the er will cover so you can grab a bite. It all depends on what is going on in the dept. at that time. There has been a few times that I had to miss lunch all together, but I noted it on the time sheet and got paid for it.

wincha · Mar 22, 2007

My $.02? I work in a busy ER. We often have a float RN who can cover for lunches/breaks, but more often than not, this nurse is pulled into pt care. I always pack snacks in my lunch and keep my lunchbox under my desk - I keep a sandwich, some yogurt, misc energy bars, lots of water, I've even used the energy "gel" that athletes use. The point is that a lot of days I can't even dream of a lunch, but I can always find enough time while I'm charting to throw down a sandwich or energy bar.
I know it is completely against JCAHO regs, but I don't care. I also take care to not eat the random sugar/carb/chocolate snacks that often get put out.
In response to your OP, yes, I do look down on nurses in MY dept who insist on taking a lunch every day. We need to plan ahead and keep food around that can be eaten quickly to give an energy boost. Last week a coworker insisted on running upstairs at 1430 (she got off at 3p) because she said she hadn't eaten all day. Didn't give report on any patients, just expected us to watch them. Ummmm, no.
By the way, if I don't get my 30 minutes, I always clock out "no lunch." Additionally, we learned very quickly because we often do have floats that you can't pick your time to eat. If the float asks you at 11 if you want to eat and you prefer to wait until 1, you'd better go now. Beggers can't be choosers!!!

Its wrong, its illegal, its just plain stupid to deny someone lunch or not take your lunch BREAK. Quick burn out, making mistakes, plus its my right! Sounds like the environment you are working in is making the nurse run off the floor. Why do nurses feel they must be martyrs?

RN BSN 2009 · Mar 22, 2007

Eat without guilt, it's refreshing!

Young Woman · Mar 22, 2007

Hi i agree everyone should take a break its in your shift that you must have one

i myself am a volunteer and i take mine about 12:30pm morning tea about 10 or whatever but after everyone of my clients finishes there meals then i go to lunch

LydiaNN · Mar 22, 2007

The last time I worked on a floor, which was forever ago- over 15 years- they'd gotten spanked by the state for forbidding lunch breaks, so they'd let us take them all right, shortly after arriving or half an hour before we went home. And of course, we couldn't arrive late or leave early, because we had to clock in or out. That really defeated the purpose of taking the break in the first place, which should be to refuel and recharge.

Sabby_NC · Mar 22, 2007

i do not know how you could give your best if you do not take time out to eat and regroup. no one can work flat out for 12 hours without taking a necessary refueling.

i honestly do not know how you nurses cope that work 12 hour shifts.

the longest i have worked is 10 hours but that was in icu on night duty.

we still ensured all had their necessary breaks etc.

i am a case manager and plan my day as i like depending on the well being of my patients.

we get a 60 minute lunch break (unpaid) and two 15 min paid breaks a day.

besides working in hospice in the field enables me to have my breaks when needed.

you have to look after yourself first. i personally would hate to make a mistake because i am tired and hungry. breaks are necessary that is why they are in place i would think!

ariansas · Sep 12, 2007

Just imagine what it would be like...if everyone took breaks and lunch. If there was overtime, so be it, everyone would have overtime. That is what needs to happen.

I worked in a Hospital in N.M. for 10 years. One day I got a check in the mail from the hospital for around $600.00. Didn't know what for. Well someone from X-ray quit and went to the Labor Board, stating that she was called all the time on her lunch break to answer the phone or do something for a patient. Well the Labor made the hospital go back 5 years and average how many lunches were not paid for when staff had to answer phones and see patients, and we were all paid for our time!

This needs to happen more often. We need to stand up for ourselves and take care of ourselves. We are nurses not handmaidens and if we don't do it no one will do it for us. The more we take on the more we will be asked to do. If hospitals don't want overtime, they need to make sure the caseload it not too large to handle, they need to make sure that there is coverage for lunches and breaks. If nurses continue to let Adm. walk on them, they will continue to do so. Stand up for yourself. You deserve it.

lilcajunnurse · Sep 12, 2007

Lunch breaks are ok.. The problem is the 25 smoke breaks and coffee breaks ppl take. They are going to ruin these free breaks for everyone. I'm a night shift nurse and it really irritates me when my relief comes in 5 mins late and then runs for coffee and a smoke BEFORE rounds. :nono:

woody62, RN · Sep 12, 2007

Since I take insulin, I couldn't miss taking a meal break, regardless of what anyone said. And come h*** or high water, I would. And I would dare anyone to stop me.

Woody:balloons:

CRNI-ICU20 · Sep 13, 2007

I cannot believe that in this day and age we, as nurses, should have to defend LUNCH!! I know there are some who abuse the "privilege"....however, in what other profession do you know of is there this kind of talk? Do you hear this amongst doctors, dentists, teachers, journalists, cops, firemen, lawyers, judges, social workers?????

But, just because we are at the bedside of sick vulnerable people, and MANAGEMENT refuses to honorably make sure that each of us has a much needed respite time each day, this type of nonsense occurs....

it isn't the nurse's fault that he or she needs food!! or needs a bathroom break!! WE ARE NOT SLAVES, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!! If ever there was a classic sign of turning staff against one another, this is it! Managers need to make sure that people get a break....and if it means stepping in and monitoring a patient for 30 mins. then so be it!! Put the blame where the blame should fall....not on one another...but on a cultural environment that encourages martyrdom and self-sacrafice as a "sign" that you are a stellar employee....ugh.

nancykday · Sep 13, 2007

It is every nurses right ti take their 30 min unpaid meal break everyday. It is also federal labor law that you are entitled to this time. You should never be made to feel guilty to take you break. Management should provide adequate staffing to provide for staffs breaks. Nurses are not providing for patients safety!

Take your breaks, By failure to take meal breaks you are giving management 130 hours of free time over a years period of time. Nurses need to stand up for their rights as employees. if you are allowing management to exploit us, why should they respect nurses.

dream'n, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2007

So I'm not the only one that has noticed the 'attitude'. I take my lunch mostly, although I may have to cut it short. It always amuses me at work to hear some of my co-workers talking about how they are "just too busy and too hard-working" to ever take a lunch. Total BS, at least at my job. My work load is just as heavy as theirs, and I'm a good nurse that provides quality care. What I see is that they work slower and don't always concentrate on the task at hand or they goof around. Even when you pitch in and help them, they will never be caught up enough to go to lunch without guilt. I've never personally been given the 'attitude,' but I never leave anything for other nurses to pick-up. So I try not care what others are doing, and jsut take care of my own business.