Lunch/break question

Updated:   Published

So I'm supposed to have a 30 minute lunch break each day and I have been struggling to make that happen. I have tried sending a schedule of when I'll be in/out of the nurse's office to all of the staff. I've tried posting a schedule on my door with my lunch break written on there. I've tried leaving and trying to eat in the teacher's lounge. But I NEVER get my break! They search me out and call for me on the radio and do everything in their power to get me for the littlest things (nosebleeds, tummy aches, etc.) Today I sat in my office while they pounded on the door and ignored them (other than the non-emergent call from an admin about a parent that needed a form...). Any suggestions for what has worked for you? This not eating definitely makes me grumpy in the afternoons LOL

UnsureSchoolNurse said:
Thank you all for the awesome suggestions! I actually was only interrupted once today (small victories!) I may just have to start eating in my car. I kind of made my irritation known to the head secretary (who always seems to be calling me during lunch), so I think she's finally getting the picture. I'm not sure about getting reimbursed for the missed lunches as I'm contracted in at a salary and I don't clock in/out? Oh well, not too huge of a deal to me. I've never had a job previously where there was no time clock to punch, it's a little strange not to be hourly. Not complaining though!

Also, cute cat pictures! ?

Welcome to the Looney Bin!

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I have worked in several schools. You will need the backing of the Admin as well as the teachers in order for this to work. Speak with someone in Admin you trust and float the idea. They may need to address it in a faculty-wide email or at a staff meeting. Warning, as you know, teachers will be the first to say "I don't get a lunch. Why should she get a lunch?" Teaching is a difficult job and many are guilted into working during their lunch breaks - this is not your problem. You NEED that break, to go to the bathroom, make personal phone calls, etc. Teachers DO have breaks and planning periods or periods for meetings. You are entitled to the same.

State, "The nurse's office is closed 12:30 - 1:00 PM. Please radio me if you have an extreme emergency, otherwise I will begin seeing students again at 1:00. PM. Thank you."

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kidzcare said:

cat-meme.jpg.9810626e7976aeca62d143772309262f.jpg

Boo! It cut off the bottom!

Can you guys see the bottom of the photo with the cat's tongue sticking out? It cuts off just under his nose on my work computer but when I looked at this thread last night on my home computer it was fine. ????

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kidzcare said:
Can you guys see the bottom of the photo with the cat's tongue sticking out? It cuts off just under his nose on my work computer but when I looked at this thread last night on my home computer it was fine. ????

I see it. I want to grab it. Bad kitteh!

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Farawyn said:
I see it. I want to grab it. Bad kitteh!

Haha! That's my Coco. He is so awesome. He has a super angry face but he is so so loving.

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Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.

I would say I get an uninterrupted lunch 60% of the time, meaning I get to finish my food. As far as 30 solid minutes without interruption... not so much. But I get to eat which is great. After a few weeks on the job, I got an idea of the typical ebb and flow of my kids and was able to figure out when my slowest time would usually be. Emphasis on USUALLY. Not always. I eat at my desk or in my back room. I usually have a piece of fruit around 11 which holds me over until I am able to eat my real lunch between 1315 and 1345.

My predecessor used to turn out the lights, close and lock the office and go into the teacher's lounge. According to the secretary, she guarded her break fiercely and would be VERY unhappy if she was interrupted. A kid came to the office once saying he accidentally ate strawberry jam and he is allergic to strawberries. When the secretary called the nurse on her radio, she was very annoyed and said "call his parents and tell them to come and give him a Benadryl."

My jaw hit the floor when I heard that. I hope that wasn't a real story but the secretary swears it's true and one of the teachers backed her up. Who knows.

The fact that I don't usually get a solid 30 minutes to myself has lead me to the decision that if it's not technically my "lunch break" but I already ate and there's no pressing issues or kids in my office, I can go into my back office and read my book for a few minutes. It's a nice trade off.

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Lunches were a big problem last year-my first year. At one point my principal came in to talk to me and realized that I was eating lunch at my desk with my clinic open. She told me NO WAY! I was so used to the hospital, where for 8 years, I never got an uninterrupted break- couldn't even pee without my phone ringing!

It is hard to find that perfect "time" for lunch though. Last year it was during 4th and 5th grade lunch because I had meds before and after. This year, it's lunch with K and 1st because all of the meds are after. It's fun having lunch with the K and 1st teachers, especially because these are the teachers that my daughter has/will have. Some of the nurse's in our district eat in their offices, but they are closed and not bothered unless it's an emergency.

I'll leave lunch for PRNs, serious nose bleeds, hard hits to the head, or if the principal asks for my opinion. My first question is always "Who is it?" because I know my exaggerators!

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Specializes in Med-surg, school nursing..

It seems that the kids KNOW when I get my lunch out, no matter what time. They swarm. So I just shovel down food in between visits.

But... When I return in WILL get a break to pump! I will not let my milk supply dry up just because some kid has the sniffles.

That is the only thing I miss about the hospital, I had to take a lunch break, and it usually went uninterrupted. And I pumped three times a shift.

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SullyRN said:
It seems that the kids KNOW when I get my lunch out, no matter what time. They swarm. So I just shovel down food in between visits.

But... When I return in WILL get a break to pump! I will not let my milk supply dry up just because some kid has the sniffles.

That is the only thing I miss about the hospital, I had to take a lunch break, and it usually went uninterrupted. And I pumped three times a shift.

SULLY!

How are you? How's the bebe? :inlove:

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Specializes in Med-surg, school nursing..

I'm good! And the babe is perfect in every way, of course. Our district has had a snow day for the last three days. The hubs works in education so we've had 5 weeks off together. He goes back Monday. Boo.

Random: I really want someone to change their name to BetYourBippy.

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SullyRN said:
I'm good! And the babe is perfect in every way, of course. Our district has had a snow day for the last three days. The hubs works in education so we've had 5 weeks off together. He goes back Monday. Boo.

Random: I really want someone to change their name to BetYourBippy.

Missed opportunity Cattz.

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Specializes in Hospice.
MrNurse(x2) said:
My avatar has stylish hair.

OMG I just noticed your avatar has no face!!

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