Do Nurses Get Breaks & Can They Actually Take Them?

Nurses continue to experience burnout and mental health challenges. At the same time, healthcare organizations continue to struggle with nursing recruitment and retention, and a surprisingly effective solution to all of those issues is — encouraging nurses to take breaks and vacations.

Downtime plays a crucial role in the well-being of nurses and other healthcare professionals. Let’s explore the importance of breaks and vacations for nurses. 

The importance of taking breaks during shifts

At your healthcare organization, how often do nurses get breaks to rest and recharge? Short, regular breaks throughout the workday boost a nurse’s ability to provide high-quality care and to maintain their own health. 

Nurses routinely make quick, accurate decisions, some with life-or-death consequences. Regular breaks prevent mental fatigue that can impair cognitive function. 

In their roles, nurses are on their feet for long hours and perform repetitive tasks. Taking short breaks to sit down, stretch, or walk around can alleviate exhaustion, and prevent long-term musculoskeletal issues. 

According to Nurse.com’s 2024 Nurse Salary and Work-Life Report, 59% of nurses said they experienced burnout in the past two years. Breaks provide an opportunity to reduce, stress, and regain a sense of calm, preventing burnout. In emotionally charged situations, taking a moment to reset can make a significant difference in a nurse’s emotional resilience.

When nurses take breaks, they return to their duties with renewed energy and sharper focus. This leads to improved patient outcomes and ultimately, a higher standard of care.

The role of time off in maintaining nurse well-being

A top concern for a healthy work-life balance in nursing is: do nurses get breaks to maintain their well-being? While breaks during shifts are essential for the short term, time off is equally important to maintain nurse health over the long term. Some benefits of time off for nurses include these:

It gives them the ability to recharge physically and mentally. Time away from the job allows nurses to recover from the cumulative effects of long hours, stress, and physical strain. 

It helps prevent burnout and compassion fatigue. Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased sense of accomplishment impair nurses’ mental health and job performance. Nurses who take time off are more likely to return to work with a positive attitude, and a stronger ability to connect with patients. 

It presents the chance to strengthen personal relationships. Nurses often work irregular hours, weekends, and holidays, which may strain some relationships. Vacations offer nurses an opportunity to reconnect with important people in their lives. Strengthening those social connections helps nurses to be emotionally resilient.