Do nurses get paid for lunch break?
Christopher Davis
Updated on April 04, 2026
At present the nurses work three 12.5 hour shifts a week. During that time they have one 30 minute break, which is unpaid, and two 15 minute breaks, which are paid. As of October the two paid 15 minute breaks will be unpaid.
Is my lunch break included in working hours?
You should only count lunches in your working time if you were actually working, for example having lunch with a client. You should also leave out any lunch breaks that you choose to work through. Working time doesn’t include rest breaks, so you shouldn’t count any time you spend on breaks during or between shifts.
Do you get paid for 30 minute breaks?
Under California law, non-exempt employees are entitled to one unpaid 30-minute meal break, and two paid 10-minute rest breaks, during a typical 8-hour shift. Employees must receive their off-duty meal breaks before the end of the fifth hour of work.
Do nurses get meal breaks?
Nurses are entitled to meal and rest breaks, the same as all other employees in California. That is, you are entitled to a paid 10 minute rest break for every 4 hours or major fraction thereof that you work. In addition, you are entitled to a 30 minute unpaid meal break for every 5 hours that you work.
What does a 37.5 hour work week mean?
In the United States, the “standard workweek” is generally considered to be 40 hours, with employees working five days a week, for eight hours per day. Some employers consider 37.5 hours to be full time, giving 30-minute unpaid lunch breaks each day, while others give an hour and consider 35 hours to be full-time.
Why do nurses not get breaks?
Why is this? The reason some nurses don’t get breaks is simply because many healthcare agencies are under-staffed as it is, and the nursing shortage certainly doesn’t help. Plus, you have to account for jobs such as the emergency room, and other similar positions within nursing that can get extremely busy.
Where do nurses get no pay for lunch?
A nurse recently sued Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston for automatically deducting pay for lunch breaks and then discouraging nurses from going through the process of claiming their lunch pay when they get no break. [ 5] Another case is pending against Dallas Methodist Health. [ 6]
What are the work hours and meal periods for nurses?
This article examines nurses’ work hours, break and meal period laws and regulations, and the role of the occupational health nurse in caring for this group of employees. Overall findings suggest that the expertise of an occupational health nurse in the hospital setting could significantly improve the health and safety of staff nurses.
How are nurses getting paid for no breaks?
The best way to cover breaks is not yet clear. The block break relief system to be implemented at St. Joseph, which calls for the hiring of extra nurses to cover breaks, is an improvement on the “break buddy” system used at some hospitals. In 2010, the WSNA sued another hospital—MultiCare Health System’s Tacoma General—for back pay for nurses.
What to eat when a nurse calls in sick?
When someone calls in sick and can’t make it to work, you’ll have no choice but to cover his shift. To stop yourself from turning to junk foods and unhealthy foods, it’s wise if you can have a batch of healthy freezer meals on stock. You can try freezing pasta, chicken meals or even just fruits and vegetables.