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.
Thank you Press-Ganey again. Due to falling satisfaction all ER rooms must be filled all the time. This means no lunch no dinner. I beleive Press-Ganey to be run by bleeding heart liberals that care absolutely nothing about the nursing environment. I think if nurses were taken proper care of by their employors patients would in the end be happier.
I happen to be a "bleeding heart liberal" and I am a nurse. I agree that employers need to provide more staffing so we can get the breaks we deserve. I just don't see how it's my fault as a "bleeding heart liberal" that you don't get yours.
Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.
I looked up Sutter and see that their suit is based on California labor law. I think it's just the nursing culture.
I think that has a large part to play. Nurses think of their patients first, their coworkers second, and themselves last. And institutions play on that...
BTW Shay, I'm one of those nurses that constantly have to be pulled off the floor... LOL
On my unit, we're actively working on promoting a culture of supporting and encouraging one another to take our breaks. The Charge Nurse is an integral piece, rounding on all the nurses and aides and making sure they are getting their breaks. Even so, there are some nights that are so busy that many of us don't get breaks. When this happens, we are expected to document that we did not get our breaks and why.
Breaks are pretty sacred on my floor. If we are that shortstaffed that we can't get off the floor we bill for the time worked. Our contract pays us double time for missed meal breaks. Once the unit manager gets billed enough for them, they become very supportive of getting us off the floor.
being permitted a lunch isn't required in every state. In Pennsylvania employers are not required to provide a lunch time to their employees. However, I believe if you don't get one you are required to get paid for that time. I always put in if I don't have time to eat. Of course my "lunch break" is usually spent with my patients while I try and get charting done all while eating! But I figure at least I get to sit!!!:nuke:
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
I have to leave the general area if I don't want to be bothered. Our lunches are scheduled by the charge at the beginning of the shift. I make an announcement when I'm about to take that lunch and LEAVE. That leaving part is very important. I go to the cafeteria or the employee lounge but either way, I'm out of sight.
*ac*
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As for going to the bathroom:
I usually look at my brain while I'm peeing.