Lunch????

Published

Before I went to nursing school I heard nurses talking about not getting lunch, or not even getting a drink of water for the better part of their shift. I thought they were just being martyrs and that this was a choice they made for themselves.

Well, it seems that the culture in my new job is pretty much, grab a bite when you can, but there is NO going off the floor for lunch. If you are eating, and something happens with one of your patients, you are expected to stop and respond.

Sometimes there is no opportunity for eating until after 3pm!

Is this common? Is it like this everywhere?

BTW, we get "charged" thirty minutes for lunch even though we do not clock out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

Sounds like floor nursing to me.:(

Up Vote Up Vote ×

where i used to work there was a book you could sign (per shift) and have the charge nurse sign if you DID NOT get a lunch that day; then they wouldn't dock you 30 minutes when you didn't take it. it happened so often with it wasn't a nuissance to the charge, it everyone signed it once or twice a week.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
where i used to work there was a book you could sign (per shift) and have the charge nurse sign if you DID NOT get a lunch that day; then they wouldn't dock you 30 minutes when you didn't take it. it happened so often with it wasn't a nuissance to the charge, it everyone signed it once or twice a week.

There is no option like this. We always get charged.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So far I have not had a problem going to lunch (I've been an RN since January). I am sure those days will come, though. I have gotten pretty good at recognizing when I better go NOW or I won't get the chance, whether I am hungry or not.

I know that, where I work, there is a code you can put in when you clock out so that you won't get docked for lunch if you didn't take one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Two of the major hospitals here in the Sacramento area are paying big bucks in class action lawsuits for not letting nurses take their meal breaks. It is against the law to do that. If anyone is interested, I can try to find some links, or you could try Googling "Catholic Healthcare West" or "Sutter Hospital" and add "meal" and "lawsuit" and see if that works.:nono:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Two of the major hospitals here in the Sacramento area are paying big bucks in class action lawsuits for not letting nurses take their meal breaks. It is against the law to do that. If anyone is interested, I can try to find some links, or you could try Googling "Catholic Healthcare West" or "Sutter Hospital" and add "meal" and "lawsuit" and see if that works.:nono:

I looked up Sutter and see that their suit is based on California labor law.

I'm not in California. I wouldn't be surprised if it's illegal in my state, but it's not really that the hospital forces us exactly - I think it's just the nursing culture.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

What's a lunch break? :twocents: At least we aren't docked for a break we didn't get. If on that rare occasion we are able to eat it's looked at with an attitude of gratitude!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I thought they were just being martyrs and that this was a choice they made for themselves.

it still is a choice.

sure, we're all busy.

but federal law dictates that we are entitled to a 30 min break after 4 hrs.

and if they're charging you, whether you take it or not, that's just plain nuts not to take it.

some day, nurses will realize that we're all expendable, and our brow-sweating labor is only serving tptb.

it's high time to take what is owed to us.

those who won't leave the floor, it's still a choice you make.

if mgmt gives you a hard time, contact your labor board.

don't let 'them' have/take the power.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute rehab/geriatrics/cardiac rehab.
Before I went to nursing school I heard nurses talking about not getting lunch, or not even getting a drink of water for the better part of their shift. I thought they were just being martyrs and that this was a choice they made for themselves.

Well, it seems that the culture in my new job is pretty much, grab a bite when you can, but there is NO going off the floor for lunch. If you are eating, and something happens with one of your patients, you are expected to stop and respond.

Sometimes there is no opportunity for eating until after 3pm!

Is this common? Is it like this everywhere?

BTW, we get "charged" thirty minutes for lunch even though we do not clock out.

Yes, unfortunately lunch is usually a short rushed break when you are a floor nurse..... :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
it still is a choice.

sure, we're all busy.

but federal law dictates that we are entitled to a 30 min break after 4 hrs.

and if they're charging you, whether you take it or not, that's just plain nuts not to take it.

some day, nurses will realize that we're all expendable, and our brow-sweating labor is only serving tptb.

it's high time to take what is owed to us.

those who won't leave the floor, it's still a choice you make.

if mgmt gives you a hard time, contact your labor board.

don't let 'them' have/take the power.

leslie

Seriously, everyone acts like it is completely normal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

but federal law dictates that we are entitled to a 30 min break after 4 hrs.

leslie

i was very wrong re above statement.

When must breaks and meal periods be given?

http://www.dol.gov/elaws/faq/esa/flsa/008.htm

learn your state laws-

they're your only protection.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion