Do you get a planning period? The nurse I replaced said that I should make sure I get mine because I'm entitled to one. But, we have blocks which means that it would be almost 2 hours per day where I wouldn't be seeing students (including my lunch). While that would be glorious to get paperwork and phone calls done, it doesn't seem practical. Plus, unless it was the first block of the day there's no way I wouldn't have students in my office already.
I am tempted to take the last block as my planning period however as it's shorter, and I don't feel as bad saying no to headaches and tummy-aches in the last 30 minutes of the day.
I know a lot of the nurses here don't even get lunches, but, do you get a planning period? Was it even offered?
I receive one. We are encouraged to take them on Friday afternoons in one lump sum, so i am out of the clinic each Friday afternoon. My staff is used to this.
I am in Illinois and this is from the IL dept of Labor website: An employee who is to work 7 1/2 continuous hours or more shall be provided a meal period of at least 20 minutes. The meal period must be given to an employee no later than 5 hours after beginning work. Illinois has no law regarding breaks. For more information, visit the ODRISA page. (820 ILCS 140/3)
I had it a bit off- I meant that the break needs to be no later than 5 hours after you start.
That said, 2.5 years into my school nursing career and I have yet to actually take a lunch...I need to get on top of that soon.
I went 2 school years without even trying to take a lunch and this year I decided NO MORE. I am at a new school now and I (politely) made it very clear that I will be taking a lunch each day (and that I will be leaving on time unless they plan to pay me for the ten minutes extra my supervisor recommended I put in each day).
SassyTachyRN
408 Posts
I receive one. We are encouraged to take them on Friday afternoons in one lump sum, so i am out of the clinic each Friday afternoon. My staff is used to this.