Nurses need water

[Heidimc]

Ive found running about like we all do and not taking time to go the bathroom is a big issue what I also believe is a massive thing at least for me is I find we never drink enough water! so for the last year and half since this thought came to me, to become the water woman, I know i get thirsty so whenever I get myself a drink of water I get someone else on the team one too, our fluid charts look rubbish! so always think if your having a drink get someone else one too its appriciated alot :)

[Pudnluv, ASN, RN]

My boyfriend packs my lunch everyday and sends me with enough fruit and snacks to share with everyone at the nurses station. Sometimes, this all we eat all day. He also sends me in with 4 20 oz. bottles of water which I drink all day. So far no one has said we can't have food at the nurses station and our nurse's station is enclosed. The docs would back us up also, because many times the stuff I bring in is all they eat during their shift. I always find time to go to the bathroom. My bladder is not as young as it use to be, so when I gotta go, I gotta go.

[TeleRN44]

I am prone to kidney stones and I get them alot because of dehydration. And we are not allowed to have food or drink at the nurses station and it sucks! When I work a bunch of days in a row I'm bound to get a stone!

I am too...especially due to the lasix and topamax I have to take for chronic health issues. I recently changed positions and my new boss (an MD) expects us to work for hours on end with no break...no drink, no potty. Insane.

It's one of the (sooo many reasons) I just gave notice and will be making sure that my new job actually follows their own break policy.

[TeleRN44]

I'm sorry, but if you don't have time to drink water or go to the bathroom then there is a problem with either your time management or staffing imho.

Let's break this down.

...

Wow...you couldn't be more judgmental OR more wrong if you tried! There certainly isn't anything wrong with MY time management skills as it is the Physician who is running 1 1/2 to 2 hours behind. He ran that far behind BEFORE he hired me and he runs that far behind NOW...that's not MY time management problem. To address your second comment, when I have stopped for that few seconds you've described is just so simple to come by; that just everyone under the sun with half a brain should be able to accomplish such a simple task...the medical assistant appears and informs me that Dr. Soandso says to get back to seeing patients (because he just finished reaming her.) We are/were well staffed...my boss used his staff poorly. I'm sorry if I come off as defensive but your comment strikes a nerve.

Never, ever assume that folks are whining about something and then blame them for not seeing or choosing the solution by oversimplifying the solution.

[Stephalump]

Not being allowed to have water on the floor is killer. I'm a big water drinker, but at the hospital it's downright impossible to keep hydrated and I pay the price by feeling run-down, tired, and just plain dried out.

Yes, there's time to run to the break room every once in a while and grab a few sips of water, but in my opinion, that's not good enough. I should be consuming more than one bottle of water in 12 hours.

I like the hydration station idea. I noticed they has that in our OR, but not the floors.

[Mshealthness]

I know ,not drinking enough water is one the causes for my kidneys stones.. not really good

[HippyDippyLPN]

I'm in a office setting so I have more time to pee. I drink a 72 ounce water bottle everyday and after two kids I am going every 30 but I'm quick :)

[Morainey, BSN, RN]

Ever start gulping water as soon as you get it!? Being on my feet all day and drinking iced coffee & tea & soda, phew, as soon as I see a cold glass of water I'm unstoppable.

[anneammee]

I actually try to drink 3 bottles of water during my shift during my 2 fifteen minute breaks and during my lunch break. I work in a long term care enviroment that does not have air conditioning so I make sure I drink a lot of water so i do not become dehydrated.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I quit a job because I couldn't have water. Since then I've talked to emplyee health after hire and they seemed to think it was a no brainer that people need to drink water at work...but it's on record if the rules change. I go through 3-4 litres of water each 12 hour shift, and usually sweat it out. I suppose sticky or sweet fluids could possibly be a pain if they spill, but we need to meet physiological needs here, folks! If the patients can drink in patient care areas, we should be able to.

[Clovery]

I bring two nalgene (32 oz) bottles of water to work every day for my 12 hour shift. On a bad day, I'll drink most of 1. On a good day I'll manage to drink both of them. When I first starting working I was coughing and suffering from chapped lips at the end of the day and I realized it was because I wasn't getting enough water. I'm working hard on that, but there truly isn't enough time. I know I need a drink when I'm filling a pitcher of ice water for a patient and I'm like "wow that looks delicious!" When I get the chance, I chug as much water as I can. It's hard to find the chance, though. I usually don't even have an opportunity to eat anything until around 3pm, already 8 hours into my shift.

[RNitis]

I've just started my career and I'm already noticing I NEED to eat and drink water through out the day or else I lose steam and become fog brained. It slows me down and I can't afford to be slow (I already feel wicked slow because I haven't gotten my time management down, yet!). Besides work, I'm so tired when I get home, I'm basically useless...all I want to do is sleep and my poor boyfriend misses me because I seem to only be working and sleeping (and I'm only working about 36-44 hours a week). I have no idea how some of you go all day, especially 12 hours, without eating!!

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

I hate the stupid no drinks at the desks rule. On nights we usually ignore that. Otherwise I just go into the pt kitchen and while getting a pt a drink, drink some water. I also get annoyed sometimes when I am in the bathroom and get someone knocking at the door to tell me room 454's iv is beeping or they want nausea meds or want their nurse . I can't even pee in peace for a minute