REST BREAKS for Nurses in The ER

[AngelGirl]

Life in our ER is, no doubt, as busy and demanding as it is in yours. We work 12 hour shifts. I love the work. I love the pace. I do not, however, love both for hours on end without breaks.

We usual can get one thirty minute break. In a recent Charge Nurses meeting, however, our Nurse Manager advised that breaks in the ER will be "allowed," if possible, but are not required.

HUH?!!

I voiced my opinion in no uncertain terms, and have since taken the HEAT for it. I called the Labor Board and our local Union to clarify the rules. I've continued to advocate for regular breaks in the ER, to my own hurt, I'm afraid.

Yesterday, I received word that, due to my "frustration" with the ER, I am 'encouraged' to transfer to another unit.

Any comments?:uhoh21:

[danfif]

Karen,

Just to let you know, you are the exception, and certainly not the rule when it comes to managers, and I commend you for that.

There are very few managers that will take it upon themselfs to assure that there staff have either the breaks that they are by law allowed, or if in a staffing crunch to provide food for them.

Sounds like your my kind of Boss, Hat's off to you!

Peace Out,

Dan

[AZEMS]

I think we need to look at staff wellbeing along side patient safety.

[mysticalwaters1]

Jeeze, I just had an ER interview and right away in the first 10min the superivsor tells me it's very fast paced (ok) and people don't get their breaks a lot! I mean I am totally new to ER, and of course if it's busy or something more critical I may not get a break but to tell me outright many don't get breaks. I mean it was not technically "you can't have a break" and maybe I should be glad she's being honest to warn me before I get into it. I'm just concerned since I work 8 hours now and then to 12 hours with probably overtime as well and no break at times? I'll have to squeeze it somewhere. I guess I should buy a bunch of meal supplement bars!

[JessicRN]

This makes me really angry, and is a constant topic at every hospital. YES- the LAW is that in an 8 hour shift, you MUST get a 30 min meal break, and 2-10 minute breaks. Almost nobody actually gets all that at any hospital I have ever seen.

Different hospital have different laws. MA law is one 30 minute lunch break in anything over 8 hrs. No breaks. No scheduled meals or breaks at night.

[mickeypat]

This problem does not only exsist in hospitals... it is also a big problem in LTC! I work as the night charge nurse at a nursing home with 42 residents and 2 nurses aides on at night. We as the licensed staff have all the meds to pass, documentation for our shift and follow up on things left by previous shifts to do... etc. and also have a large number of feedings to run thruout the shift. I am lucky to be able to stop and use the bathroom for 2 seconds! If an alarm goes off, I'm usually the one to get it! Oh, and if the aides are on rounds, well, I answer the lights and toilet residents also! I'm even the maintainence person and housekeeping at night! It is very stressful and very tiring to do this on a nightly basis, but that's the way life is! Maybe we non smokers should take up smoking or be as forward as the smokers to say, "gonna go have a smoke" and take a very quick, short break.

We need to think of ourselves and what we can handle and not always complain because we don't get what ever! Sad part is, is that we never have any food to eat and are not allowed to enter the kitchen because we have been accused of stealing all kinds of food, which is such a huge pile of crap, so if you're hungry, too bad...

Guess what I'm saying in a nutshell, is look out for yourself, keep your patients and residents safe and comfortable and do what you need to do...:icon_hug: