do you skip your lunch break routinely?

cebuana_nurse · May 25, 2010

-Eversince I got off orientation, I had NEVER took my 30-minute breaks. Because I have so much things to do and taking my break is the least thing I have to worry about. Sometimes, I don't even remember when was the last time I peed when my shift started.

-Still with no breaks, I leave work 30 minutes to 1 hour. I'm making sure that I've done everything in my shift in that way incoming shifts won't be nitpicking my work. I have no idea if I'll get written up for leaving work late.

-I work in a LTC facility.

kmarie724 · May 25, 2010

I workin LTC. I almost always take my supper break. Even when I feel like I'm too busy and don't have time I go anyway because I find after taking some time away I come back more focused and organized. I don't usually take my 15 minute breaks, though. I don't often need to stay late to finish up my work but sometimes when it is a crazy shift I have too. I don't think I've ever had to stay more than 30 minutes after the scheduled end of my shift.

Bug Out, BSN · May 25, 2010

I think I have taken maybe 2 or 3 lunch breaks in over a year.

bear_mom · May 25, 2010

I almost always take my breaks - the first two at least, dinner not always (I eat again when I get home anyway, so I then eat two dinners). We get three breaks, 2 15 minute breaks (breakfast and dinner) and 1 30 minute break (lunch). When assignments are made we also assign breaks and buddies (who covers your breaks). There are people on our unit who won't go to break if they have anything to do. Most of us on the other hand realize there isn't much that can't wait for us to get back. Having someone assigned to cover your breaks helps, if my partner goes on break and her post-op comes back I will help get the patient into bed, get the first set of vitals and let the patient know that Sue will be her nurse and will be in to see her soon.

I find that I do better when I am able to get off the floor for a few minutes and relax and EAT.

Emily

Leelee2 · May 25, 2010

Thank you all for your replies. I too feel more focussed when taking time out to eat and get away from the floor for a while. Thank you all for your responses.

RNKPCE · May 25, 2010

I almost always take my breaks. If I don't get them I am paid for them. If the breaks are interrupted I either get to restart my break or get paid as if I didn't get one.

I also don't think you have to have everything done to take a break. A break is to relieve you of your work. If you read a lot of state labor laws they will also say the break has to be within so many hours of beginning work not in the last 2 hours.

I think it would be great if we started a "Take your break" day and if everyone on this thread and their co-workers took their breaks for one day and could see that the world would not fall apart.

Anyone want to pick a day?( or even two days in case you aren't working on the first day)

meadowsong, ASN, RN · May 25, 2010

I work LTC right now, I always take my lunch/supper break. Always. Would never give it up! I do not normally take my two 15 minute breaks though, I quit smoking many years ago and they really aren't important to me anymore :lol2: I guess I normally have time to do them, but I just feel odd sitting there, by myself (since everyone smokes and the smell makes me sick now), so I just normally don't take any.

Potty breaks, when I have to go I go. Like everyone else said, there are very few things that can not wait and it only take a few minutes.

I only leave late if it's something I can not pass on, like charting that happened on my shift. Sorry, but I will pass it on, management does NOT like overtime and it's just the way it is. Every shift seems to pass something one to the other, wither it's calling family members, making appointments, or transcribing orders. Teamwork :nurse:

mrsshifflette09 · May 25, 2010

I work on a neurosurg floor, and I very rarely ever have an issue with getting a break. Once I didn't eat until 4 pm, and my charge nurse was really mad at me....made me go at noon the next day lol. I feel like you can't perform excellent care for your patients if you aren't taking care of yourself.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · May 25, 2010

do you routinely skip your lunch breaks/other break times while at work?

our breaks are paid breaks, meaning, if they need the nurse while she's on break, she has to go back to the floor. we can't leave the facility grounds and have to be within hearing distance of the paging system.

we get one 1/2 hr break and 2 15 minute breaks..i never take my full breaks. i usually eat at the desk as i chart and will run out side for maybe 3-4 minutes to call home, say hello to my children and husband and then run back up to my floor.

if so, do you think this is a good practice?? why or why not?

i don't think this is a good practice, everyone needs some "down" time while working. but if i take my breaks i won't be finished with my work when the next shift comes in. but for me i feel better being on the floor with my residents and my team than to be sitting alone in the break room..wondering if everything is ok on the floor.

also, do you stay after your shift to finish up work routinely? how long? (minutes or hours)

i tend to always punch out about 10 minutes after my shift techinally ends but its not due to me having to finish up work, its related to doing the narc count, giving report (we give oral report) etc. if my relief doesn't come on the floor until exactly 11pm..then i'm there until 11:10-11:15pm

what type of work setting are you currently working in?

ltc/snf

island40 · May 25, 2010

you all need to read the fair labor standards act. these rights for laborers were hard fought for and to see them just given up because you don't want to make waves is disheartening. If the workload is too much for you to get done staffing needs to change and your manager can't know that unless you clock the overtime. If you are not working together as a team that needs to change and your manager cannot facilitate a more cohesive unit unless you clock the overtime. Work with your management to improve your work environment - I bet it improves your outcomes too.

scoutsmom · May 25, 2010

amazed with the number of Nurses who don't take their breaks, that is what is so wrong with the profession,!!!!! It should not be allowed - and as long as Nurses don't demand to be treated "human", nothing will ever change!

I love my cat! · May 25, 2010

I am surprised so many Nurses miss/skip/choose not to take their breaks!

No wonder Nurses burn out so quickly. Not only is it unhealthy, but if you are not getting paid for the missed or uninterrupted break-your employer is breaking the law. It is ILLEGAL to make an hourly worker work for free.

And why work for free? That sounds totally crazy, IMO. My ex employer use to basically force us miss breaks and meals OR the breaks were interrupted. I always wrote down for the additional OT pay.

Trust me, I got all of my breaks and meals after that.

I see Nurses eating at their desks or carts and I think it is extremely unsanitary. I see them touching the tables, chairs, pens, computers and then they pick up their food and put it in their mouths. :uhoh3:

GROSS....and shame on them. We spend all this time in school with the hand washing/sanitation aspects shoved down our throats and then I witness this? Unbelievable.

Nobody respects a martyr....but employers love them. More work, less pay. What a great employee!