Whatcom County Health Department

Current Issue

Short Staffing  =  No Breaks  =  Unsafe Patient Care

The issue of meal and rest breaks has plagued nurse for many years. It has never been about nurses not wanting to take their breaks.  It is about real concerns related to staffing and the ability to provide SAFE Patient Care. It is about hospitals having enough STAFF to meet the requirements of the law to provide rest breaks.

Missed meal and rest breaks have a direct relationship to short staffing which can lead to unsafe patient care.  Missed meal and rest breaks are a direct result of the lack of commitment to provide adequate staffing. Missed meal and rest breaks force you to work exhausted and lead to increased medical and medication errors, thus putting both Your Patients - and YOU - in jeopardy. 

We don’t think it is unreasonable to expect to be able to stop and rest for 15 minutes every 4 hours …  do you?

As a Registered Nurse working in Washington:

Did You Know?

• You are entitled to an unpaid meal period of one-half (1/2) hour if you work five (5) or more hours.
• You are entitled to one (1) fifteen minute break halfway through every four (4) hours of work.
• You are entitled to compensation if you are required to remain on duty or in your unit during your meal period.
• You are entitled to compensation for your missed rest breaks.
• Short staffing results in you not getting your breaks and in unsafe patient care.

WSNA Is Fighting For You!

• Filed grievances at numerous facilities on missed breaks, Settlement reached at Virginia Mason Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham.
• Won Arbitration decisions on missed breaks at Sacred Heart Medical Center, Yakima Regional Medical & Heart Center.
• Pursuing the Department of Labor & Industries to change State Regulations on missed Breaks for Nurses.

What You Can Do!

• Follow your contract, if you miss your meal/break period, document on your time card and keep your own personal record of missed breaks.
• Complete an ADO form and distribute to your manager with a copy to your local unit chair and your WSNA Nurse Representative
• To file a complaint with the L & I, notify your Nurse Representative at WSNA for the paperwork and instructions.