Breaks

nursenatalie, ADN, RN · Apr 21, 2004

Just found out there are no labor laws for breaks. That employers are not required to give breaks. Just pay you for the time you are there.
I didn't know that.

I know you posted this a long time ago but I just found out about this myself. Unfortunately I found out about it the hard way. We have a particular charge nurse who requires we ask her if we can take a break. I am so offended to have to ask my peer (we alternate charge) if I can take a break and can you believe that she often will say NO!! I know when I can take a five minute break I know what is going on with my patients and if something is going on with my patients where I need a hand I KNOW that this particular charge nurse will not help. I am FURIOUS about this and I hoped that the labor board would back me on this but obviously not.

Jaaaman · Apr 21, 2004

Pretty sad, really. I believe there should be labor laws for breaks. Especially us nurses that work 12 hour shifts.

kimmicoobug · Apr 21, 2004

Yeah, I was just told by one of the charge RNs that we have to give notice one half hour in advance if we cannot take our break at our assigned times....So, if we have a patient crump five minutes before our assigned time, then we can not claim "no lunch"...Yeah, right!!! First of all, I am an adult, I think I can choose which time I feel is best for my patients and myself to go on break. Second, this whole stupid 30 minute deal won't fly for very long. And, she is the only one who is saying this.

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Apr 21, 2004

I work at a VA hospital that is represented by a union and we get a 15 min. break in the AM, 30 min. lunch and 15 min. break in the afternoon. While we may be entitled to them, taking them is another story!