Nurses's Bill of Rights 2

So the last post got me thinking...what if we really did have a bill of rights posted up next to the patients rights...what would it say??

There are things that I've begun to give up or change because of family, doctors, or just plain lack of time.

Bathroom breaks is a big one. Who has time to go to the bathroom?? I'm lucky if I sit down to do charting most days, let alone sit down on a toilet....hmm maybe if I could take the chart into the bathroom, be productive.....interesting thought.

Eating is another....I'm not saying that I don't eat during my shift...12 hours is a long time to go without eating, but you feel guilty for taking your hour break for lunch. The looks you get from family. It's as if they're saying "how dare you eat when my mother/sister/father/grandfather/brother/daughter is in that bed sick." Even when you step into the breakroom for a quick bite you get looks. I stopped in the nutrition room today and shoved a cookie in my mouth, cause it was a cookie and good, but also cause I was STARVING and got caught by a family member. I wanted to say "I NEED TO EAT TOO YOU KNOW!"

It's also as if there is an unwritten code,....No laughter may enter these doors. Well, sorry, I'm a lively person, I am boisterous, fun, obnoxious, I occasionally (more then occasionally) dance without any music, and I talk to myself....I laugh too so there! I feel for you and your family, really, but this is where I work and I love my work, I'm just showing you that I love my work.... :-P

So my bill of rights would look something like this:
1) Toileting q6 and PRN
2) We get to eat when you eat!
3) We laugh, joke and smile, it doesn't make us bad people


hmm...can we get an amendment in there about carrying coffee around..that'd be nice, maybe in one of those camel-backs....hmmm..thoughts for another day.