I asked my instructor if I could take my 15-minute break and she looked at me dumbfounded. She said that none of them take their HR REQUIRED breaks, only lunch. I told her and everyone else that if that is the case, I will be taking my breaks, combined, at the end of the shift to go home early AFTER giving my relief a report.
They all told me to make sure I am not caught by our director. I told them that if I am caught, I will explain the why. They seemed wary but curious to see what happens.
What will happen is I will explain why and if my manager does not like it, I will leave.
This is ONE of the reasons people experience burnout at hospitals. Just last night, a coworker of mine told us that she did not even take her dinner break.
FIGHT for the little things or end up losing everything.