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.
Healthcare organizations benefit
During a typical shift, do nurses get breaks consistently? Or do staffing shortages sometimes prevent it? Do your nursing colleagues freely take their vacation time, or do they feel pressured to forego it?
The answers to these questions impact more than just an individual nurse’s health. It also impacts healthcare organizations. Some positive outcomes if nurses take breaks and vacations:
- Improved ability to recruit new nurses: Prospective new hires want to know: Do nurses get breaks? Nurses will choose an employer that prioritizes the well-being of nursing staff.
- Increased retention: Nurses who feel supported in taking breaks and vacations have higher job satisfaction. For healthcare organizations, that means lower turnover rates and reduced costs related to hiring and training new staff.
- Improved patient care and safety: Mentally sharp nurses are better equipped to provide high-quality care. That leads to better patient outcomes and higher satisfaction scores.
- Reduced absenteeism: By encouraging nurses to take breaks and vacations, healthcare organizations reduce burnout, related health issues, and resulting absenteeism. Well-rested nurses are less likely to experience work-related injuries, further reducing healthcare costs.
- Positive organizational culture: A healthcare organization that promotes self-care for nurses fosters a positive workplace culture. That benefits both nurses and patients.
Overcoming barriers to nurses taking breaks and time off
Patient care demands can make it difficult for nurses to step away. In high-pressure settings such as emergency departments, nurses may forego breaks. If a unit is consistently short-staffed, nurses may feel uncomfortable taking vacation time. Here are some barriers to breaks and vacations for nurses:
- Staffing shortages: When units are constantly understaffed, it’s difficult for nurses to take time off. To ensure adequate coverage when nurses are on vacation, organizations can cross-train nursing staff, hire temporary or per-diem nurses, or utilize staffing agencies.
- Workplace culture that discourages breaks and vacations. Some healthcare settings have an unspoken policy that discourages nurses from taking vacations. Similarly, nurses will feel pressured to power through long shifts without breaks, if hospital policies aren’t enforced.
- Guilt for taking time off. Nurses may perceive that foregoing vacation time demonstrates true dedication. Changing this attitude requires leaders to encourage nurses to take breaks and use vacation time—and lead by example by doing the same.
Tips for nurses to maximize the benefits of breaks and vacations
When nurses do take breaks or vacations, it’s important to maximize the benefits of doing so. Here are some approaches to returning to work refreshed:
- Plan ahead. Schedule breaks and vacations in advance, to minimize disruptions to patient care.
- Unplug from work. Make a conscious effort to disconnect from your nursing role, including work-related emails, calls, and texts. Allow yourself to fully relax and partake in activities that bring joy and fulfillment.
- Engage in self-care. Actively choose activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Whether it’s practicing mindfulness, spending time in nature, or pursuing a hobby, you’ll return to work with renewed energy.
- Proactively communicate with colleagues and leadership. You’ll want to facilitate a smooth transition and ensure continuity of care. Nurses might create detailed handoff notes outlining each patient’s current condition and any special considerations, for instance. Nurses can also meet briefly with colleagues to discuss any potential issues that may arise. These actions can prevent feelings of guilt since nurses know patient care is continuing seamlessly in their absence.
- Reflect and set goals. When you’re relaxing in a stress-free environment, it allows for clear thinking about your nursing career. Some intentional reflection can result in a more focused career path upon your return. For instance, consider what aspects of your role you find most fulfilling. You may realize it’s the right time to pursue an advanced certification or shift to a new specialty.
Prioritizing rest for a healthier nursing career
Do nurses get breaks? This answer is multifaceted. It depends in part on the healthcare organization’s policies and culture. However, encouraging nurses to take breaks leads to improved patient care, reduced absenteeism, and an overall positive work environment.
Time off allows nurses to recharge physically, mentally, and emotionally, preventing stress and burnout. For nurses, it's not a luxury — it’s a necessity for a sustainable, fulfilling, and healthy nursing career.
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