The morning tea break ritual: A case study

The study employed an ethnographic methodology and found that the morning tea break ritual provided time, space and an environment where nurses can ventilate their feelings and gain each other's support.

Abstract

Many nursing scholars have examined the negative effects of rituals in nursing practice, and have argued for nurses to abolish these ritual practices; however, rituals remain resilient. There must be reasons that nurses are keeping these rituals alive. This study aimed to explore the meanings of the 'morning tea break ritual' to a group of nurses in a medical ward. The study employed an ethnographic methodology and found that the morning tea break ritual provided time, space and an environment where nurses can ventilate their feelings and gain each other's support. Thus, the morning tea break ritual has positive contribution to nurses' work and both nurses and patients are the beneficiaries of this ritual act.