My family can't believe nurses don't get breaks

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Hi all, I'm currently in nursing school and had mentioned a few times that on my clinical rotations I noticed that it was true that most of the nurses I was working with were not able to take scheduled breaks or lunches, including myself. There just isn't time to plan time. I explained how difficult it is to leave the floor for breaks or lunches when things happen or change with patients, and you can not just walk away for a break or a lunch without making sure you have coverage and have reported off, or how this is a predominant complaint in the nursing profession. I know I have gone well over 5+ hours without a break or any lunch. They just kept saying "It's a federal law, you HAVE to be allowed breaks." How can I help them understand why it just doesn't work that way?

Specializes in LTC, med-surg, critial care.

When I worked LTC and had 50+ residents as an LVN I always took my lunch break.

When I worked a busy med/surg floor as an RN I always took my lunch break and my 15 min.

Now, in ICCU, I always take my lunch and 15 min. Our team lead has no patient load and will cover. My co-workers are very good about covering.

As far as I'm concerned every thing will get done eventually. I make sure my patients are safe, stable and comfy then I make time for myself.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

i will not work for a hospital that does not care about their nurses. how many times do you think people in management walk around all day without eating or using the restroom?? but the most important people in the hospital that could potentially kill a patient aren't allowed to rest for even 30 minutes?? its just not worth it. i get an hour lunch everyday and sometimes i don't even take the full hour but at least it's offered. the day i am treated like less than a human being is the day i will not work at the bedside.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I think almost all of us who don't take lunches or breaks realize they are important but are trying to avoid an even greater pain, which is just adding to the time you have to stay overshift. No nurse I work with ever gets out on time. Sitting around on a break isn't relaxing to me one bit when I know it's going to just make me stay even longer at the end of the shift. This is one reason I will not work 12 hour shifts any longer.

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when i worked at a long-term care facility the administrator asked me why i wasn't taking my lunch breaks. i explained to him that we have no time. he scoffed and stated that with 2 nurses and only 80 residents we should have plenty of time. yeah right with the phones ringing, faxes from pharmacy, faxes to pharmacy, family coming in and needing advice and accidents do happen!

administrator stayed over one evening and came to me and said he was sorry. he didn't realize how busy we really were on evenings! people who think that nurses do nothing but sit behind a desk and chart don't have a clue.

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Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.
this is one of the reason i love where i work. the nurses always get a one hour break...always. we all absolutely make sure the nurses get a break. sometime we have to sit at the nurses station and eat, depending on the patient, but the nurses do get to eat. and if anyone has to run and go pee we just make sure everyone knows we will be gone for a couple mins.

the nurses on my unit are sooo supportive.

a one hour break ??? i am moving to 'the state of confusion" that is unbelievable, good for you, stay until you retire :smokin:

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

I take my breaks. If I don't, I get all goofy and can't think straight.

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What is a break??????:bugeyes:

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We get breaks at the hospital pharmacy where I now work, but I had a few experiences in retail where lunch was a Slim-fast bar purchased from the rack 5 feet away, and my brother, who does not work in health care, still can't get over the time it took me 3 hours to eat a peanut butter sandwich.

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

I always take my lunch break. I will not work 12+ hours without eating or taking a little time to re energize. I also would never donate my lunch 1/2 hour to the hospital.

I'm a nurse, not a volunteer or a martyr!

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Specializes in Trauma acute surgery, surgical ICU, PACU.

I can remember pt's and their families getting angry at me for taking a break - when they needed things like a hair wash, etc, and I told them I didn't have time.... :madface:

Yet the public can't believe we don't get breaks! :uhoh3:

I get breaks most of the time. I keep cans of boost in my bag in the coatroom for the days when it is just too busy.

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I always take my lunch break. I will not work 12+ hours without eating or taking a little time to re energize. I also would never donate my lunch 1/2 hour to the hospital.

I'm a nurse, not a volunteer or a martyr!

:yeah: :bow:

steph:D

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.
:yeah: :bow:

steph:D

Would you like my post even more if I told you that when I have to use the restroom, I go and use the restroom! If I'm in the middle of a RAT response or a code, well, I'll wait, but otherwise anything else can wait while I take a couple of minutes to empty the 'ole bladder!

;):anpom:

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