Not taking a break

[Yellow90]

Nurses take your breaks! I know some of you are thinking "easier said than done". I am well aware of that. I work on a very busy PCU / Tele floor where 1 patient is going to CT, one has to go surgery, and one of the doctors wants to round with you all at the same time. When I first started I always missed my breakfast break. Now I make it a priority.I have had those days when I have taken my breakfast break at 11:30am and lunch at 4:00pm, that is super late. I very rarely miss my breakfast break, but I will always take my lunch. Once taken, I am a happier me!

If someone has not ate, you have a short-temper and low tolerance for problems. Even if not, your tummy is not happy and neither are you. This makes our job ten times harder, but this is a situation we have some control over. Once you take your break, take your full break. We will always have something to do and never have enough time to do everything. Prioritize patient care and yourself in the mix. Not taking a break will put you at higher risk for burnout syndrome.

TIPS:

Charting--> Don't wait till the end of the day to do all your charting. Chart as you go and as it happens.

Find your break buddy at the start of shift. Yes I live in California, but my facility does not have a special break nurse.

getting water for your patient ---> drink a glass of water also (that's something I have to remember also) :)

Before you think you might take your break --> check all your patient's and give all the PRN if needed --> that way you have a some piece of mind, then run and take your break

It is your responsibility to take your breaks and to take care of yourself. We give all day, so give back to yourself. You are also a priority.

Everyone please provide your tips!!!!

Rest Breaks Matter for Patient Safety

The Long- Term Effects of Nurses Not taking their breaks

[futurecnm]

I've been working as a float nurse for a year now and I had to miss a few breaks because of how crazy the unit can get. I usually get one hour of unpaid break time. However, on the times when I'm unable to get to take a break, I'm working for free. My employer doesn't pay us for missed breaks. So basically, I'm working for free. And whenever I have to stay past 7:30pm, the managers hate having us clock out for some reason. Usually at my job, you only clock in and they assume that you leave exactly at 7:30.

um this is against they law FYI

[futurecnm]

I work in a clinic. Not only did I not get a lunch break, I did not get LUNCH. A usual occurance

I work urgent care clinic. I get a 1 hour lunch and 20 min dinner for a 12 hour shift.

[ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN]

I'm a Med-surg nurse. Our max on our floor is 5 patient's. I like to take my lunch break within the same time frame every day. Most days, it works out ok. I round on my patients immediately before leaving the floor and take care of any needs. Then and ONLY then do I feel comfortable enough to let my break buddy know that I am going on break. I do not want my buddy to have to lift a finger, and usually, it turns out that way unless a pump starts screaming because of a bubble or something dumb. It took about a year or so working on the job to develop enough time management skills to be comfortable doing this. I pee when I need to as well. One thing that KILLS me though is when doctors round when I'm on my lunch break and place stat orders for blood draws. We supposedly get written up for stat orders past the time limit. I haven't yet (knocking on wood). It still stresses me out to return from lunch break to see 25 minute old new orders for a stat blood draw that is now overdue though.

[Sassafras6]

I am in LTC & am scheduled to work 12 1/2 shifts & 30 min is deducted for "meal break". My employer will deduct 30 min for the break. If I claim to not have had a lunch break, my employer makes it clear that I am not up to speed & there is no reason not to have had a break. If I must stay a few hours to complete my charting, I am told I am not up to speed. I have minimal time to use the toilet, & if I eat anything I do so while standing in the med room pulling meds. This is the norm at my facility & I hear it is typical for LTC.

[mushyrn, BSN, RN]

I never take my breaks. I will eat my lunch on the floor. I simple don't feel comfortable ever leaving my critical patients alone and having another nurse "watch them" for me just doesn't really cut it.

Once you give report to the covering RN, those patients and whatever happens to them during your unpaid break are THEIR responsibility, not yours. Leave your bed alarms on and your bedside alarms loud and audible. Take your break.

You only hurt the rest of us by not doing so, because then the cultural status quo follows you. My last job, nobody took breaks because it was the culture. My current job, breaks are enforced by staff AND management.

Take your breaks!