I went to a workshop yesterday and the head of "Team Resources" or whatever we are calling personnel dept. these days said that in Florida there are no laws requiring mandatory breaktime, only you must be paid for time spent working. So we can work 12 hours without a break and not blame our employer, but they are required to pay us if we miss a break.
Any other states not have mandated breaks? Seems to me North Carolina had some labor laws requiring employers to give breaks.
Of course, out of the goodness of their hearts our hospital allows for breaks, but it doesn't HAVE to by law. Interesting.
I take breaks, believe in breaks, and demand "my" coworkers take a break when I'm in charge.
I'm in Washington State -- and although these may be the rules, it doesn't always happen that way. I've been a nurse for 25 years, and have ALMOST always gotten my meal breaks, but I work with a lot of folks who claim they're "too busy." Believe me, in 25 years I've learned that there isn't much that can't wait 15 minutes for you to take a well-earned break. CPR can't wait, active and copius bleeding maybe. But your charting, routine meds, and changing your IV tubing can generally wait. People need to make the effort to PLAN for a break -- and then they'll be far more likely to actually get to take them.
If people don't take their breaks, that's their problem. But I take mine, unless something is going on at the time. I make my rounds, advise the pts., as to how long I will be gone, and who is covering. Then I go enjoy my time, and if takes leaving off the unit to enjoy my break, that is what I do:D
The problem I have is with states, that don't have this provision, and the hospitals, and staff who take advantage of it. I was once told on a travel contract at an ER in S. C. by the CN, when I asked for a break, that someone had seen me use the BR! I said so??? They told me they couldn't give me a break unless they called the supervisior down to give it to me. And I said well...call her. They did, and I took my break!
I needed that 10 mins away from the craziness, to regroup! 5 trauma bays were full, incuding the CP area, people backed up in the hallways, and TBAs ringing the call bells for room service! Enough was enough!
I don't understand my fellow nurses who martyr themselves everyday by denying themselves their much needed break time and never say "NO" to management when asked to work extra time. We've all worked shifts where it was nearly impossible to get off the floor but I refuse to feel guilty for taking my breaks (which btw I used to) and saying "no" when asked to "help out". I don't mind pitching in once in awhile but I have a life I'd like to live too.
I needed that 10 mins away from the craziness, to regroup! 5 trauma bays were full, incuding the CP area, people backed up in the hallways, and TBAs ringing the call bells for room service! Enough was enough! [/b]
Brownie, I can sure see how ER and working the desk in crazy units like my old PCU can drive us to distraction and a need to get away...I remember that feeling and agree...we need to try our best to get away.
ICU's in my little corner of the world are different animal. Too many invasive lines and tubes and potential for quick disaster...'specially in my tightly staffed unit. But it's my own decision to take on unit breaks ...and it's my own well being I'm addressing here too.
Staying within site of my charges is not a matter of martyrdom, it's more paranoia with a little bit o' control freak maybe...LOL! plus a strong desire to not create more work hassles for myself.
Those tubes and wires come out while I'm off the unit and I have a big ol' mess to deal with when I get back...there's no promise my coworkers will watch my patients like I would. Sooo I frequently find it less stressful to stay in the unit and just 'put my feet up' awhile so to speak.
I uderstand about ICU mattsmom, and as you say that is a different animal all together. But when I have worked the units, we would at times just take our break in the unit, when we had "real" ICU pts to deal with. But there are many times, when they're not all critical, or you're just watching a post cath pt. or a "no bed on tele pt". Then I see no reason not to be able to take a break.
But there are times, when you can't even stop moving, let alone take a break. But I guess I was lucky, that I worked with a group of nurses, that I would have trusted with my own life:cool:! At least most of the time. T
here was one in S. C. though, that let a pt. pull their tube out twice in the same shift, and watched the monitors from the lounge, while she talked on the phone. Now HER I wouldn't live with a cat in distress, and I don't LIKE cats!
ICU's in my little corner of the world are different animal. Too many invasive lines and tubes and potential for quick disaster...'specially in my tightly staffed unit. But it's my own decision to take on unit breaks ...and it's my own well being I'm addressing here too.
Staying within site of my charges is not a matter of martyrdom, it's more paranoia with a little bit o' control freak maybe...LOL! plus a strong desire to not create more work hassles for myself.
Those tubes and wires come out while I'm off the unit and I have a big ol' mess to deal with when I get back...there's no promise my coworkers will watch my patients like I would. Sooo I frequently find it less stressful to stay in the unit and just 'put my feet up' awhile so to speak.
Definitely NOT martyrdom driving me tho...:roll
Hope you didn't take offense to my use of that word....I was referring to specific experiences that I've had. (At my former job in particular) Obviously the situations you've mentioned are a totally different ballgame. I didn't mean any disrespect to anyone. :)
No offense taken at all Boopchick..only 'splaining why some in my shoes may choose not to take many off unit breaks.
ITA nurses should strive to take breaks as often as possible. :)
Brownie I have worked with a few nurses who left the unit too frequently and weren't afraid to dump on the nurse left to watch his/her patients (Drips run dry or BP plummets just after they leave, combative patients extubating themselves, she hasn't addressed sedation with the doc, etc) Most of my coworkers now are very good and don't abuse breaks nor leave disasters waiting to happen, thank goodness.
Since we've had a few break abusers, I'm sure this prompted the policy that breaks are taken at the discretion of the charge nurse/condition of the unit at the time. As a charge nurse I've had to tell a nurse please, no break now, wait til the code is over, , or two nurses are already off the unit...etc. Some nurses have no common sense, know what I mean? Of course we always have our kitchen/ anteroom as an on-unit break area and most of us choose to use this...where we're within shouting distance if disaster occurs.
OOOh I totally know what you mean about abusing break time! But on another note, I have a problem with nurses going on break, who haven't made rounds on their pts, before doing so, to prevent a problem happening, no sooner than they go on break.
Case in point. I know sometimes it may just seem like craps happens as soon as someone leaves.
Last nite I worked tele, and no sooner than the nurse went on break, her pt. dislodges her IV. The site was reddened, and she was leaking around the cath. She only had NS running for primary, but also had a MS PCA, so I had to change the site, rather than just D/C and wait for her to take care of when she got off break.
Took only one stick in another arm, but she had, had multiple site changes, so I didn't want to rush it, and possibly blow one of the few sites she had left. This took time from my pts., which is the reason I make sure my pts, and ok to leave for a few mins, and always let my pts, know I'm leaving for a break, and ask if there is anything I can get them. A little care before leaving on break, will help in co-workers not putting a burden on your co-workers, while you take break.
"Wait til the code is over" You have got o be kidding ..but I doubt you are.:chuckle!
OOOh I totally know what you mean about abusing break time! But on another note, I have a problem with nurses going on break, who haven't made rounds on their pts, before doing so, to prevent a problem happening, no sooner than they go on break.
"Wait til the code is over" You have got o be kidding ..but I doubt you are.:chuckle!
Gawd, I reported off to one like that this am. No sooner did I finish shift change report, he was off to smoke before even LOOKING at his patients! I passed him in the parking lot when I left. Oh well, his license not mine, eh?
Amazing how some nurses have such tunnel vision regarding ONLY their own patients, and neglect to notice a little thing like a code....luckily most of my coworkers are great team players.
In the UK (and the rest of the European Union (EU) ) it is part of the EU Working Times Directive that workers are given 15 minutes uninterupted break away from their "post" for every 6 hours of work.
The Feds have breaks in our union contract...generally you are on your break or dinner and one of the patients is out there yelling "For cryin out loud, how long does it take to pee", or recently "What the heck you doing in there, having a seven course meal?" or "I'm not leaving, I don't care what you're doing, I demand to see the OD, now! I haven't had a cigarette all day!"
note- I cleaned up the language a bit, my lovely bunch of coconuts @ the looney bin and a bit more colorful.
Now suppose you DID stop your break or dinner and never got started again, just try to squeeze those extra bucks from the Feds... once a Super had said "Well your patients went to bed at 11:30, didn't you take your break then? OF course she could see the level of urine in my system was reaching overload by my yellow sclera, and the drool coming out my mouth from hypoglycemia... what the heck... another day another 15 1/2 cents.
I don't understand my fellow nurses who martyr themselves everyday by denying themselves their much needed break time and never say "NO" to management when asked to work extra time. We've all worked shifts where it was nearly impossible to get off the floor but I refuse to feel guilty for taking my breaks (which btw I used to) and saying "no" when asked to "help out". I don't mind pitching in once in awhile but I have a life I'd like to live too.
Oh well, his license not mine, eh?
Brownms46
2,394 Posts
If people don't take their breaks, that's their problem. But I take mine, unless something is going on at the time. I make my rounds, advise the pts., as to how long I will be gone, and who is covering. Then I go enjoy my time, and if takes leaving off the unit to enjoy my break, that is what I do:D
The problem I have is with states, that don't have this provision, and the hospitals, and staff who take advantage of it. I was once told on a travel contract at an ER in S. C. by the CN, when I asked for a break, that someone had seen me use the BR! I said so??? They told me they couldn't give me a break unless they called the supervisior down to give it to me. And I said well...call her. They did, and I took my break!
I needed that 10 mins away from the craziness, to regroup! 5 trauma bays were full, incuding the CP area, people backed up in the hallways, and TBAs ringing the call bells for room service! Enough was enough!