Nurses not taking breaks

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What is it with nurses not taking their breaks? No matter where they work, whether it be hospital, community etc we seem to have a problem. I understand that they have a lot of work to do but surely its more important to take a break and recuperate which will lessen the chance of mistakes been made. I feel refreshed when I take forty five mins which I must emphasize is on my own outside of the building. I almost feel angry that this time is not catered for due to the culture we work in - like guilty sheep. When will there ever be a stop to this.

Specializes in Step-Down.

I work on a busy telemetry unit, and we are assigned brakes at the start of our shift. I always try to plan ahead and resolve all issues/ discharges / admissions / meds to make sure everything is done before my break, I never intentionally leave work to be done for any of my patients for the covering nurse to take care of. There has of course been many times were I was unable to take a break. 96% of the time I take my full allotted 1 hour brake which is unpaid.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I work in clinic and it's been weeks since my pod has actually punched out for a lunch. We grab a bite when we can

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Specializes in Care Coordination, Care Management.

I get an hour for lunch, but I usually don't eat unless a pharmaceutical rep brings lunch. Even then, I am eating at my desk and working. I really don't need the break, and I certainly don't need an hour.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
What is it with nurses not taking their breaks? No matter where they work, whether it be hospital, community etc we seem to have a problem. I understand that they have a lot of work to do but surely its more important to take a break and recuperate which will lessen the chance of mistakes been made. I feel refreshed when I take forty five mins which I must emphasize is on my own outside of the building. I almost feel angry that this time is not catered for due to the culture we work in - like guilty sheep. When will there ever be a stop to this.

You get 45 minutes! WOW At my last job in LTC I averaged 30 to 40 patients. Yes I had helpers but if I were to take a 30 minute uninterrupted lunch break I would always come back to absolute chaos - somebody fell, two admits roll through the door, floor staff got hurt you name it. I just stayed on the floor but my shifts are 8 hours. The state I live in penalizes employer's if staff don't get breaks so I would get paid 1.5 hours for the missed 30 minute break - but still I would much rather have had the rest.

Hppy

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