So do you actually take your breaks?

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At my job, we work 8 1/2 hr shifts.. so were suppose to get 2 15 min and a 30 min lunch. The 2 15 min are paid, but the 30 minute isnt.. none of my other coworkers take breaks at all... And when i ask to take my 30 miunte unpaid lunch they make me feel guitly about it! Why would I work when Im not getting paid!!?? Is this unreasonable?? Im wondering how many other people take their breaks? Also, Im the only PCA on the floor, so while im on lunch noone else is there to 'cover' my break, so the PCA on the other floor would have to watch over it while still watching her floor...

No! I do not take my breaks. I should but I do not because if I take it I will not be able to finish my job on time and management would not be happy if I stay after my hours. Also, because if something happen to one of my patients when I am on my break I still responsable and I may get in trouble.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Yes, I take breaks, 95% of the time.

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I always take my break, which is 1 hour paid. All my coworkers take there breaks as well ( RN's and mental health workers). If I was unable to take my break, I would make sure my union heard about it. I do not work without a break, it's as simple as that.

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Specializes in Acute care, LTAC, Rehab.

ohh at my job sometimes I dont get to take lunch break at all forget about 2 15 min breaks. its busy many times we don't even have PCAs so you are working as a nurse and pca so its kinda difficult to fulfill both responsibilities. Hah and still nurse manager doesn't hesitate to have a one on one sometimes for not giving baths to the patients. How unrealistic is that? At my old job they used to take half our off of your paycheck eventhough you worked during that time. I think understaffing is the main cause of this.

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Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.
I get 2 30 min. breaks and 45 min. for lunch. Unless we are really busy everyone gets their breaks.

It is obvious in Canada you are treated more humane!

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Nurses always take a full lunch break of 30 minutes where I work.

Beyond that, if I had a choice of finishing up work on time or taking a couple of breaks during the day and staying late, I'll skip breaks.

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Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

Even in the different areas I have worked, I tried very hard to get my break. my not have always been the whole 30 mins, but I need to eat..get cranky and I need to sit down away form the main stream of action. When worked as supervisor I always made sure my staff got their breaks unless we had a crisis.

I have missed breaks sometimes and I do not know how anyone can stay mentally sharp without a break. But them no matter what I was doing for 8-12 hrs.. I would need a break.

I think I have worked with some nurses who preferred to be martyrs and say they just were too busy to have a break.. Those who I knew needed to improve their time management skills.. Not saying posters on here in some units could get a break anytime.. understaffed and overworked and break would be first thing to go..

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Specializes in geriatrics.

We are one RN in LTC and our breaks are paid. I might take 30 to 45 min in a 12 hour shift, but as far as the rest...no. There isn't time when you are the only RN. That's just the reality sometimes.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

The only person who gets a break where I work is the PCA. She takes her breaks and pretty much ours too since she has to walk off campus to smoke. Each of her breaks is at least 25 minutes long and she takes at least 3 in an 8 hour shift, not including her lunch. Meanwhile, we have to cover her. Lunch is at our desks but unfortunately for me my desk is in a "no food" area. If I'm lucky I get 10 minutes for lunch. My first break this past tuesday occurred 2 1/2 hours after my shift was supposed to have ended and consisted of me walking in the door to my house and eating cold left-over pizza straight from the box I found on the stove... while standing there still in my coat...crying because I was so happy it was there.

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Someone please explain this "break" concept to me. I no savvy. :smokin:

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At my job, we work 8 1/2 hr shifts.. so were suppose to get 2 15 min and a 30 min lunch. The 2 15 min are paid, but the 30 minute isnt.. none of my other coworkers take breaks at all... And when i ask to take my 30 miunte unpaid lunch they make me feel guitly about it! Why would I work when Im not getting paid!!?? Is this unreasonable?? Im wondering how many other people take their breaks? Also, Im the only PCA on the floor, so while im on lunch noone else is there to 'cover' my break, so the PCA on the other floor would have to watch over it while still watching her floor...

I am not saying it is right but I feel your pain. I can say NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER do I take a break I am totally guilty of this. It is not to say that anyone who chooses should not. I am completely in support of my fellow nurses and if you feel you need a break take one and don't worry about anyone else. Where the problem comes in is the people who are so quick to take breaks, take lunches and walk out the door precisely on time even though you sometimes know it is physically impossible that they have completed the things that needed to be done.

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Never get a break. Straight through 13 hours sometimes. Hear there is a class action suit regarding this. Anybody aware of it?

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