Breaks and Time Off for Nurses

Burnout continues to plague nurses and healthcare workers across the country. The nursing shortage is growing and demands on nurses to provide quality healthcare continue to increase. Healthcare organizations are working to combat nurse burnout by encouraging breaks during shifts and time off away from work, but is this even possible with the demands of the job? 

Why are regular breaks important? 

Did you know that short, regular breaks throughout a nursing shift can boost your ability to maintain your own health as well as provide better quality care for your patients. 

Taking breaks improves mental fatigue and aids nurses who often need to make quick, yet accurate, decisions in life or death circumstances. Nurse breaks also help alleviate mental exhaustion by allowing nurses, who are on their feet for much of the day, a time to stretch, sit, or step away for a few minutes to themselves. 

Regular breaks provide you with an opportunity to regain a sense of calm and reduce stress before continuing on with your nursing shift. This in turn improves mental and physical well-being and helps to prevent nurse burnout. 

The need for time off

Regular nurse breaks are great for short-term well-being, but time off is essential to maintaining the physical and mental health of nurses. Time off from work gives you time to recharge both physically and mentally and prevents burnout and compassion fatigue by allowing you to rest and recover from the demands of the job. 

Time off also gives nurses the chance to strengthen personal relationships and spend time with loved ones. Building stronger personal relationships increases social connections that help to improve emotional resilience in nurses. Time off gives you a much needed time to connect with important people in your life after working irregular hours which can strain relationships.

Overcoming barriers to breaks and time off for nurses

There’s no debate that breaks and time off for nurses are important to mental and physical health. They’ve also been shown to improve patient care and benefit healthcare organizations by increasing nurse retention and positive culture, but patient demands can make it tough for you to get away. 

Nurse staffing issues and emergency healthcare situations mean that nurses often forego breaks and time off. It is difficult to take time off when a unit is understaffed because adequate coverage must be provided for patient needs. Some workplace cultures also discourage breaks and time off for nurses with unspoken policies and pressure to work longer and harder. Many nurses personally feel guilty taking the time off that is owed to them, because working long nursing shifts without breaks or time off is sometimes perceived as being truly dedicated to the profession. 

Changing the perception of breaks and time off for nurses starts with leadership. Nurse managers, floor supervisors, healthcare facility administrators, and others in leadership must lead by example — taking their own well deserved breaks and time off and encouraging others to do the same. 

How to make the most of nurse breaks

Because breaks for nurses do not occur as often as they should, nurses must know how to maximize the benefits of any break in work they are able to obtain. Here are a few tips for making sure you are able to refresh and relax in the limited time you have: 

• Take a breath. Stepping away from your nursing job, even for a few minutes, gives you an opportunity to take a deep breath, reduce your heart rate, and release pent up tension. 
• Do a few stretches. Roll your neck and shoulders. Raise your arms above your head and give a slight tug on each wrist in turn. Hinge forward and touch your toes… Small stretches can do a lot to aid tired muscles and reduce stress. 
• Check in with friends and family. Nurse breaks are a great time to send a quick text to a friend, browse social media and share funny memes, or FaceTime your family. These little moments of connection can bring a smile to your face and refresh your spirit. 
• Drink some water or grab a snack. Busy nursing shifts don’t always allow you to take care of yourself as you should. Use nurse breaks to stay hydrated or grab a nutritious snack that will provide you with additional energy. 

Tips for maximizing time off for nurses

Vacation time is a great way for nurses to completely step away from the demands of their job and fully recharge. Whether you’re travelling or staying at home, you want to ensure that you make the most of your vacation time. Here are a few tips for doing so: 

• Make a plan. Scheduling your breaks and vacations in advance will help you minimize disruptions and increase the likelihood of you enjoying the time away that you’ve earned. 
• Unplug completely. When you take time away from work, you need to ensure that you make an effort to completely step away. This means ignoring work emails, texts and calls (even if only for a small amount of time) to allow yourself to fully relax. 
• Communicate with coworkers. Taking time away from your nursing job can be more difficult than time off in other professions. You need to ensure that you communicate with the other nurses on your team and with nurse leaders to ensure continuity of care for your patients when you are gone. Taking the time to clearly communicate your patients’ needs will also help alleviate any guilt you may feel about leaving. 
• Experience some self-care. Choose to do something that brings you joy and fills your cup when you step away from your nursing job. Whether you prefer to spend time in nature or stay inside and read a book, pursuing an activity you love will help you return to work refreshed and renewed. 
• Set goals. It’s tough to think about what you want out of your life and career when you’re stressed, but taking time away gives you the chance to think clearly about goals and how you’ll achieve them. Consider what parts of your job you most enjoy and whether or not it might be time to advance your nursing career in an LPN to RN Bridge program, LPN to BSN program, LPN to Nurse Practitioner program, RN to BSN program, or other advanced nursing program. 

Prioritize yourself and your well-being 

You care for others every day, but nurse breaks and time off are about putting yourself first for a change. You deserve the time away from your demanding job. You owe it to yourself to ensure that you’re able to relax and do something you enjoy. You do not need to feel guilty about doing something for your own well-being and your personal relationships. 

Nursing is a noble profession, but it can take a toll. You are just as important as the patients you care for, and breaks and time off for nurses are your time to focus on you. 

> Read more about self-care for nurses with How to create a nurse workout plan

> Read more about self-care for nurses with Tips to Stay Hydrated as a Nurse

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