Why are breaks so important for nurses' well-being and satisfaction?

A JAMA 2023 survey of 15,738 nurses and 5,312 physicians practicing in 60 hospitals found:

• High burnout was common among hospital physicians (32%) and nurses (47%)
• Fewer than 10% of clinicians described their workplace as joyful
• Top two preferred interventions to reduce burnout:
  • Improving nurse staffing (87% of nurses and 45% of physicians)
  • Support for all clinicians to take breaks without interruptions (82% of nurses and 55% of physicians)

Nurses often miss or interrupt their breaks, with 70.3% in Magnet^®-designated hospitals frequently missing them, and 30% to 40% rarely managing a full 30-minute uninterrupted break during 12-hour shifts.

Missed and interrupted breaks are a principal cause of nurse fatigue and burnout manifesting in significantly higher rates of insomnia, acute and chronic fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization.

A systematic review comprising 85 studies found that nurse burnout significantly impacts patient safety, including lower patient safety grades, higher incidence of patient falls, medication errors, and adverse events.

A 10-minute extension in break time per shift led to a 10% decrease in the likelihood of errors.

Regular, uninterrupted breaks can mitigate acute fatigue and burnout and contribute to better nurse retention—even under staffing constraints.

Break nurse models often require two break nurses per shift to provide timely breaks and are not financially sustainable.