title: The law, nurses and coffee breaks.
abstract: During nurses' shifts, whether they are seven or 12 hours long, breaks are scheduled. The number and time of these breaks varies among institutions but is usually reflected in collective agreements or employment contracts. These breaks are important so nurses can, rest but they need to be scheduled and taken with care. The three cases reviewed below outline the responsibilities of both the charge nurse and staff nurse when scheduling and taking breaks.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Sweatman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000451:nursing; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D016528:Postanesthesia Nursing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence