Nursing is a rewarding yet demanding profession requiring resilience in physical, emotional, and mental capacities. Despite their critical role in healthcare, breakrooms—designed to support nurses’ well-being during shifts—often fall short, affecting their ability to maximize break time.
As the nurse shortage continues to worsen, healthcare organizations must prioritize their nursing staff’s health. Workload demands, staffing shortages, and poor work environments contribute to nurse burnout, impacting the healthcare system and patient care. The Health Resources and Services Administration projects a shortage of over 78,000 registered nurses in the U.S. by 2025 and about 64,000 by 2030. The 2025 State of Nursing Report reveals that 57% of nurses experienced burnout in 2023, and 63% said their mental health had taken a toll due to their work.
When nurses have access to comfortable, well-equipped breakrooms, they experience reduced stress, improved mental health, and increased job satisfaction. However, studies show many nurses struggle to take breaks during their shifts. One study found that nearly one-third of nurses rarely take a rest break, often due to high workloads and staffing issues.
The National Academy of Medicine’s National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being advocates for “meal and rest breaks” to be routine, not exceptional. This cultural shift encourages nurse engagement in breaks, fostering health and well-being. Below are five steps for creating a better healthcare breakroom to boost nurse morale and retention:
Step 1: Prioritize Comfort and Functionality
Breakroom design and functionality impact nurses’ engagement with breaks. Ideally, breakrooms should be located near nurse stations for easy access. Well-designed spaces with ergonomic furniture, flexible layouts, and quiet respite areas demonstrate that healthcare organizations value staff well-being. A comfortable, functional space helps nurses unwind and reduce stress.
Step 2: Offer Healthy and Convenient Refreshments
Long shifts often make it difficult for nurses to maintain a healthy diet. A well-stocked breakroom with nutritious snacks like yogurt, fruit, and nuts ensures nurses have easy access to energy-boosting food. Hydration is equally important, so offering coffee, tea, water, and low-sugar drinks helps maintain focus and performance.
Step 3: Incorporate Relaxation and Stress Relief Features
A breakroom should serve as a sanctuary for relaxation. Features such as natural light, indoor plants, and calming colors help reduce stress. Wellness tools like massage chairs, stress balls, and mindfulness apps can further enhance the space, helping nurses rejuvenate during breaks.
Step 4: Foster a Sense of Community and Collaboration
Creating a sense of community in the breakroom improves morale and engagement. Digital displays or bulletin boards can highlight team achievements, upcoming events, and important announcements. A breakroom that fosters positive interactions and inclusivity can build camaraderie among nurses, which is crucial for retention.
Step 5: Solicit and Act on Employee Feedback
Regular feedback from nursing staff is key to ensuring the breakroom meets their needs. Surveys, suggestion boxes, and focus groups can identify preferred features, from seating arrangements to snack options. A responsive breakroom design boosts nurse satisfaction and engagement. Improving nurse breakrooms is a powerful way to enhance well-being and morale. By prioritizing accessibility, comfort, and functionality, healthcare organizations can support nurses’ physical and emotional needs, ultimately boosting retention and reducing burnout. To find out how to create a comprehensive breakroom solution, download the full report here. Learn more about Staples’ full-service breakroom solution, offering everything from coffee, water, snacks, and drinks to brewers, along with complete maintenance and service.
