Nurses’ breaks during and between shifts: what are your rights?

When pressures are high, it is even more important to have breaks during shifts. Find out what you are entitled to and how to ensure you get the time out you need

All nurses and nursing support staff are entitled to rest breaks while at work and in between shifts.

But pressures in health and social care services mean many do not get proper breaks or miss them entirely.

Why are some nurses not getting staff breaks and how does this affect them?

‘Things have got a lot worse since the pandemic,’ says RCN national officer for employment relations Rehana Azam. ‘It may be down to the fact that there are not enough staff on the ward or you’re