Dear MELOO 38,

First, OMG!!!!!!!! It seems to me, you are pretty much doing what is applicable considering the amount of time you have. Lord, bless you!!!!!!! I was thinking about how when I was in LPN school, I had these little bottles of H20 that I actually carried in my pocket. It was small. You're carrying yogurt-that's a energy booster. Believe me, you're getting enough exercise in the ER!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's a place that is action-packed, never a dull moment. During the weekend or whenever you have time, you may want to add the rainbow to menu choices such as peppers, broccoli, blueberries, strawberries, mango-all these add color and flavor to your palate. Sleep, very crucial to maintaining balance. I know right now you are getting 5 hours, but at least you're getting that. It may seem as if alot of nurses are showing no signs of burn-out, but that's not so, they're just better at hiding it!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take my word for it, you are doing okay!!!!! Just when you get time off, make sure time off is used for rest and relaxation with family!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's your 1st nursing job and it's in the ER!!!!!!!! Give yourself some leeway!!!!!!!! It will take you some time to get situated, and get a regular routine. Don't worry you will get a rountine!!! I say find you a nurse who can mentor you, and ask questions. The only stupid question is the one not asked. I hope my 2 cents helps!!!!!!!  GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep us posted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well  one problem with snacks and open drinks at the nursing station could be your state's OSHA policies.  Now, Ive been off the job for right at 2 years now <OMG.........how in the hell could hubby NOT figure out WHY Im doing an occational order from Chico's, Old Navy, GAP.  Poor me.........laying around on my ass getting fatter and I have yanked everything out of my wallet to see what is expired.  Well, BCLS instuctor certification ran out the week before my last birthday...........Oct. 11, this year.. ACLS............crapola, how in the  heck can I get back there with all the ACLS first line drugs..........all the algorhythyms.  Here comes my migraine now.  Now for the long times without breaks..........I know if I go way past missing a meal........way past,,,,,,,,,,,,now ever felt like  crap with the shakes and nervousness? And holy crap.....what about tinkle break.............you gonna take care of business or be like that lady astronaut who wore mega diapers so she could drive across country to stalk her sweeties new girlfriend.  Here ya go....................pee or have the massive bulge in the scrubs because you dont INSIST on taking a potty break.    If your ER is going through renovations and they say they have NO ROOM FOR YOUR BREAK ROOM..................well not sure if its like that in other states but in Georgia, we have to have a break room for employees per OSHA guidelines.  Anyhow, if you dont take care of yourself......do you expect somebody else to do that?  Nope, you cant trust peers to ensure you have the chance to tinkle and eat a bit.  Its up to you to do that.

" I feel for you and every other RN on the job,"who is running like mad to inhale a snack,slurp H20 / coffee and epinephine-eye", just trying their best to stay afloat and awake,in the midst of keeping people safe,comfortable and alive.

I can agree about the OSHA standard: food and drinks away from the work environment.The concern about,"holding it in"..NOT GOOD!

If there'd be anyone who can," feesibly game plan a compromise",to rectify the situation,reduce the stressful environment for the overwhelmed /overworked RNs,thus expedite patient care more appropriately / thoroughly..PLEASE PUT LPNs BACK IN THE HOSPITAL!"

**Thank you**

Hey, here is another excuse for a needed tinke break:  I recently had an outpatient surgery because polyps<SP>  grew south of the equator AND my md decided my bladder needed to be stretched.  Hmm...........how come its so easy to explain this crap to me when they dose me up with crap.................I still dont think he did anything surgical to me............I still think he was neutering a cat on my dollar.  I flat out asked Dr Formby if he's sure he performed a billable surgery to me.  If you dont take a tinkle break you might be having to have your bladder stretched too.  anyhow...........take care of yourself FIRST.