In North Carolina, workers are allowed a 30 minute break after five hours of working. This also applies to hospital staff who work 12-hour shifts. Those shifts are often extremely busy, staff often having to work in difficult situations such as really sick patients or those who are really demanding. These 12-hour shifts are extremely taxing to staff’s mental state, often leaving them burnt out and unable to enjoy the time they do have outside of work due to fatigue. 30 minute breaks do not offer adequate time to decompress during a shift and will often be interrupted, leading to an even more inadequate break.

Staff stress levels can continue to be high if breaks are kept to 30 minutes. Offering hour long breaks can allow staff to decompress during their shift. They can come back to their shift with clearer minds. Their quality of life outside of work can improve if they are allowed the time to rest. Hospital staff, with all that they do, should have the time to not think about work during this time.

The typical 30 minute break will feel like it ends as soon as it begins, leaving staff feeling like they haven’t even had a break. The hour long break can offer hospital staff the time to eat and read a book if they want just for the chance to rest their mind during a stressful shift.