Degree Name
Nursing Practice, DNP
Publication Date
8-4-2025
First Advisor
Sandy King
Second Advisor
Kristie Givens
Abstract
Nurses are essential to the healthcare system, yet their demanding 12-hour shifts in hospital settings often leave little opportunity for adequate rest. The absence of structured rest breaks not only endangers nurses' well-being but may also compromise the quality of patient care. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to evaluate the effects of implementing structured, mandatory 15-minute rest breaks on nurse burnout and job satisfaction. The initiative addressed a critical gap at the project site, where nurses typically received only one 30-minute lunch break per shift, despite evidence supporting the benefits of more frequent rest breaks. A quasi-experimental pre- and post-intervention design was used. Fifty full-time registered nurses participated in the pilot implementation. Burnout levels were assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS), while job satisfaction was measured using a project-specific survey. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. The intervention was a statistically significant predictor of reduced emotional exhaustion (p < .001, R² = .803) and depersonalization (p < .001, R² = .734), and it also led to a notable improvement in job satisfaction (p < .001, R² = .475). No statistically significant change was observed in the personal accomplishment subscale (p = .165, R² = .156). This QI project supports the implementation of structured rest breaks as a low-cost, high-impact intervention to enhance nurse well-being. The findings provide evidence for nurse leaders and hospital administrators to adopt policies that support sustainable work environments, reduce burnout, and improve staff retention and patient outcomes.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Njang, Elise, "Enhancing Nurse Well-Being Through Mandatory Rest Breaks at a Hospital" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 157.
https://arch.astate.edu/dnp-projects/157
