New state law provides Washington nurses with uninterrupted meal and rest breaks

[TexasTowelie]

While they likely won't be taking the time to 'play cards', a new law signed by Gov. Jay Inslee will provide nurses and other health care employees in Washington uninterrupted meal and rest breaks.

Rep. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane) sponsored the bill, which he says has been discussed in some form or another for years. He says it's a win for nurses and patients.

"This is a patient safety issue," Riccelli says. "We don't want our nurses fatigued."

The bill gained national attention when state Sen. Maureen Walsh (R-Walla Walla) argued for an exemption for Critical Access Hospitals. In her comments, Walsh said nurses in those smaller hospitals "probably do get breaks — they probably play cards for a considerable amount of the day." The comments drew swift backlash from nurses around the country who read national headlines making it seem like Walsh was referring to all nurses. (Walsh has since apologized for the comments.)

Read more: https://www.inlander.com/spokane/new-state-law-provides-washington-nurses-with-uninterrupted-meal-and-rest-breaks/Content?oid=17555554

[FloridaBlues]

1. Great idea for us nurses give us actual break times

Doubt Fla will do this, I would love uninterrupted lunch break and actual afternoon break.