You are entitled to a 15-minute uninter­rupted break for each 4‑hour block worked. You must be paid for that 15 minutes at the appro­priate rate (i.e.. if it puts you into daily overtime, it is paid at the overtime rate.) The intent of our state laws and our Contract is to ensure that you are rested and receive adequate relief at appro­priate times.

It is impor­tant to inform your Charge Nurse if you are not able to take your break(s). If you don’t get all of your breaks, indicate on the Kronos time clock which break(s) you didn’t get.

• 8 hour shifts get two 15 minute paid breaks and one 30 minute unpaid break.

• 12 hour shifts get three paid 15 minute breaks and one 30 minute unpaid break.

You are entitled to a 30-minute unpaid meal break for every 5 hours of work. For 12-hour nurses, you are entitled to a second unpaid meal period which you may waive. If you do wish to take it, you would have to work 13 hours to receive your full pay for that shift. Twelve-hour nurses are entitled to 3 breaks and 2 meals.

Both your meal(s) and your breaks must be uninter­rupted. If you are inter­rupted and can’t restart the break or meal, then you should record it as missed. You must be completely relieved of duties during breaks and meals or they are paid, and you should clock them as missed.

Why do I need to indicate my missed breaks in Kronos?

You worked the extra time and deserve to be paid for it. It’s ultimately Management’s respon­si­bility to make sure you have break coverage, but the nurse should be making sure the breaks are taken.

What if my ANM or Manager objects to my reporting my missed breaks?

Remind them you must report your breaks truth­fully. If you receive any type of negative response from your leadership notify one of the Officers or the Nurse Rep listed below.

In addition to logging your missed breaks or meals in Kronos, take 60 seconds complete on online ADO form so that your staffing committee designee has a record of all missed breaks on the unit. When you click on the ADO form, select your employer from the drop-down menu, fill in your name and shift info, check the box that applies to you, then scroll down and hit ​‘submit’

Our WSNA contract, and the law, both prohibit retal­i­a­tion against nurses for filing a Staffing Complaint/​ADO.

In Solidarity!

Cheryl Howe, Chair, skaternurse@gmail.com

Mindy Thornton, Co-Chair, melindaleeann@gmail.com

Dawn Morrell, Grievance Officer, fivecentd@gmail.com

Aaron Bradley, Treasurer, plankeye02@juno.com

Stephanie Troftgruben, Secretary, stephenieburr@gmail.com

Terri Williams, MS, RN, WSNA Nurse Rep, twilliams@wsna.org