Too busy for break?

[merae]

I was so busy yesterday that I forgot to take my coffee break. I can't believe it. Most of the time I take my breaks no matter how busy it gets, but I was so busy that I forgot all about it. It did not help that my partner LPN was rather laid back, shall we say. I had 2 admissions around the same time, with one getting blood.

That is the first time it has happened to me. It's different when you're busy and you decide not to go on your break, or delay your break. But I was so distracted, it did not even occur to me to go.

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

Sometimes breaks and lunches kinda fall by the wayside for myself when things get too busy. I got a handle on it. I bring my coffee mug (closed top container) and leave it at the desk. Nothing separates me from my coffee. I empathize. Hope your day today is better.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

What's a break?

[RoxiRN]

:rotfl:

hmmm. missed breaks. . .

Unfortunately missing breaks appears to be the norm in my facility - its actually out of the ordinary to work a shift and get all the breaks we're entitled to. A missed break here or there is okay, but when it becomes a pattern, then that's what pisses me off. It really does depend on who you work with - if you have a work partner that pulls her weight, or one that farts around and chases her tail for half the shift. You all must know what i mean. . .

[Q.]

I have never taken a break, even where I currently work which is a M-F salaried office position. I do take a lunch, but never a break. Just never occured to me. Too much to do.

I guess sometimes I take a walk to go get coffee; that could be a break. :wink2: But it's about 5 minutes. But still worth it.

[June55Baby]

I also have an office position and never take a break other than my 30 minute lunch break. My office is near the door that goes to the employee smoking area, so I KNOW many staff nurses get their breaks and I think some are taking theirs AND mine! :chuckle

[SouthernLPN2RN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Nothing separates me from my coffee.

Ah, it's so nice to see a kindred spirit! To the OP, sometimes it happens, I hope your next shift goes better!!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I work 12-hour shifts and a break with nourishment and fluids is mandatory, as are bathroom breaks when nature calls.

The worst it's gotten for me lately is that first break came a 2pm once last week, and 3pm a month or so ago. Usually I can get a break between 12 and 1pm.

Even if I have to stay late charting I insist on this one break. Other than that I grap coffee and drinks, or an apple and much on the go.

Other days I get a nice long break, and then a nice long afternoon break. Fiest or famine sometimes.

I prioritize breaks along with other aspects of patient care. I can't give the best of me, if I'm not the best of me.

[Super_RN, BSN, RN]

That tends to happen. At least the shift flies by, usually. Unless it's one of those shifts where it is extremely hectic and time drags by.

[nursemaa]

I think breaks are a necessity, and that you should make every attempt to take some kind of a break every day. If you're too overwhelmed to get one, get ahold of your manager and see if he/she can either help you out or find someone to help.

Interestingly, I've had nurses tell me they couldn't get a break, yet during the shift when asked if they need help with anything, they've said "no, I'm OK". Doesn't make sense to me....

[Super_RN, BSN, RN]

I would also like to mention that when our supervisors come to relieve us for breaks (not all of them are like this) they sit at the desk and wouldn't know what to do if they had to do something. So, sad to say, but I don't feel comfortable leaving my patients when my co-worker is busy and the supervisor sits at the desk and does nothing.

[Q.]

I would also like to mention that when our supervisors come to relieve us for breaks (not all of them are like this) they sit at the desk and wouldn't know what to do if they had to do something. So, sad to say, but I don't feel comfortable leaving my patients when my co-worker is busy and the supervisor sits at the desk and does nothing.

I would wager that most supervisors could handle an emergency situation, in the basic sense of initiating CPR and calling a code. Or at least recognizing a situation is going bad.

I would doubt that you could break your supervisor and truly fill in for her; it's no different for the supervisor when she breaks you.

Kind of off topic, but my biggest pet peeve is when staff nurses expect administrative nurses to be able to function at all levels. It's impossible; we can't know everyone's job inside and out INCLUDING our own.