Private duty nurse and breast pumping at work?

[Julieta103191]

I’m a private duty nurse for complex pediatric patients who require care 24/7.  I spend my entire work shift with one patient at bedside. Just wondering how the heck am I suppose to pump while working when I am constantly giving my full attention at work. I am able to step away for only a slight moment to use the restroom and I eat where I can watch my patient. Most times parents will be gone until my shift is over doing errands or getting a break.  It’s not like I can set a planned time where I will pump because things can sometimes get chaotic.  I’m just worried about being tied up and not pumping on a schedule to meet supply and demand. I’m having great anxiety thinking about going back to work and honestly wondering if I should just stay home for a year and take my lost in savings. 

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

Talk to your manager. They have to make provisions for you

[CooterCanoe, BSN]

Our unit is like this, usually all 1:1’s. The managers have specifically said if mothers need to pump that they can take breaks and go and the charge will cover them. You could ask charge or your manager but anywhere worth staying would let you. 

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

5 hours ago, CooterCanoe said:

Our unit is like this, usually all 1:1’s. The managers have specifically said if mothers need to pump that they can take breaks and go and the charge will cover them. You could ask charge or your manager but anywhere worth staying would let you. 

She is a private duty nurse, there is not another nurse on site to provide coverage while she does this. In a facility, she would have no issues, but in a private home, creativity comes into play