Nurses with a sense of teamwork more likely to take breaks, which mitigates burnout

Medical Xpress January 2, 2026
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

Nurses in critical care units who perceive higher levels of teamwork with their colleagues are more likely to take breaks during their shifts, according to new research from The Center for Health Design published in American Journal of Critical Care.

The article, “Unit Layout and Critical Care Nurses’ Perceptions of Visibility, Teamwork, and Taking Breaks,” examined how the physical design of a critical care unit influences the nursing culture, finding that units that foster connection and collaboration may encourage break-taking behaviors. For the study, a diverse sample of critical care nurses completed an online survey, with a total of 96 completed surveys.

The Center for Health Design is a nonprofit professional organization with members throughout the spectrum of the health...

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