Lunch/break question

[EPIC_nurse]

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

[Eleven011]

I wish I could order food in!! We don't have any place in town that delivers, or I'd probably be doing that every day! Gotta pack a lunch if I want to eat!

[txbootsy]

I usually eat in my car, but my office is good about covering for me. I get my 30 minutes everyday. I eat at 1pm.

[ana010]

I leave if I want an uninterrupted break. Usually I eat with teachers during first lunch, as all the students I see at that lunch come at the end, so I cut my lunch short by a minute or 2 and meet them at my office. The office staff is good to no interrupt if they know I am eating. They have to leave too, or teachers and students ask them 1000 questions.

[I_Am_Blessed]

"This not eating definitely makes me grumpy in the afternoons lol"

Awwww.... I feel you! In our hospital, we let someone to cover us when we take our lunch break. For example, when my lunch is at 12noon-1pm, one RN will cover my patients during that time. When I come back, she will report whatever happens to my patients while I am at lunch. And when that RN who covers my patient will take lunch at 2pm-3pm, same thing...I will cover her patients, and report when she comes back :)

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

I_Am_Blessed said:

"This not eating definitely makes me grumpy in the afternoons LOL"

Awwww.... I feel you! In our hospital, we let someone to cover us when we take our lunch break. For example, when my lunch is at 12noon-1pm, one RN will cover my patients during that time. When I come back, she will report whatever happens to my patients while I am at lunch. And when that RN who covers my patient will take lunch at 2pm-3pm, same thing...I will cover her patients, and report when she comes back ?

Unfortunately, we are the only nurses in the building, and most education oriented sorts aren't keen on blood and puke.

[I_Am_Blessed]

Oh I see. That is a one challenging lunch break dilemma. Must be really frustrating for you and a lot of school nurses out there. Hope you are doing better now

[Monika06]

This would never happen here in the UK, ,we don't have school nurses on site at all,,they come in to do vaccines or routine checks, if someone has a nosebleed the teachers are trained to deal.with it,,if someone has a major injury you just call the ambulance.. You should clearly let them know you'll not be replying to calls for minor things during certain times or as someone said leave the building. They'll soon get used to it

[FloridaBeagle]

Monika06 said:

This would never happen here in the UK, ,we don't have school nurses on site at all,,they come in to do vaccines or routine checks, if someone has a nosebleed the teachers are trained to deal.with it,,if someone has a major injury you just call the ambulance.. You should clearly let them know you'll not be replying to calls for minor things during certain times or as someone said leave the building. They'll soon get used to it

What happens to special need kids if there's no nurse? Kids with feeding tubes, trachs, etc? Teachers give students insulin and seizure meds and the like?

Not to thread-jack, but I can't imagine how this set-up is safe or legal in a first-world country.

[Monika06]

I'm talking about a usual primary school, children with special needs don't attend those ,children with feeding tubes or trachys would be either home schooled or attend a school attached to a hospital. My son goes to primary here and he's seen a nurse once when they came to measure and weigh them. Unfortunately our health service spends lots of money for things they shouldn't , I won't even start naming it, but there's no position of a full time school nurse in every single school. There's area community nurses that might have a few schools under their care but they're not physically there.

[grammy1]

Our district requires us to have 2 backups current in first aid, cpr, med training, and child specific training. They cover for lunches, leaving early, etc.

[mom to many]

I've always had someone cover my office for my 30 minute lunch break. Well, until this year:( So, I'm guessing I will not be getting a break at all. I am paid hourly, and scheduled to work 7:15-3:45. If I put down 8 1/2 hours on my time sheet it will get rejected. Getting a break isn't so much about eating, it's more about having a chance to refocus and maybe go to the bathroom for the only time while at work. I am at an elementary campus with approx. 840 students. I typically see about 95 students a day. Any suggestions on how to deal with no break and working 8 1/2 hours but only paid for 8?

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

mom to many said:

I've always had someone cover my office for my 30 minute lunch break. Well, until this year:( So, I'm guessing I will not be getting a break at all. I am paid hourly, and scheduled to work 7:15-3:45. If I put down 8 1/2 hours on my time sheet it will get rejected. Getting a break isn't so much about eating, it's more about having a chance to refocus and maybe go to the bathroom for the only time while at work. I am at an elementary campus with approx. 840 students. I typically see about 95 students a day. Any suggestions on how to deal with no break and working 8 1/2 hours but only paid for 8?

Are you covered by a contract? If so, it might be a union issue. Also, 95 students a day?? About what percentage of the visits are legit?