In a recent survey conducted by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), it was revealed that nearly nine out of ten NHS nurses in England are working while ill
This situation coincides with Mental Health Week 2024, emphasising the crucial need to address the well-being of healthcare workers.
The survey, which collected responses from over 11,000 nurses across the UK, showed a concerning trend of NHS nurses struggling to cope with increasing demands and insufficient support.
Struggles within the nursing profession
The RCN’s biannual research further shows the struggles within the nursing profession. 71% of NHS nurses reported being under excessive pressure at work, and 66% felt too busy to provide the ideal level of care to their patients.
These conditions are contributing to a workforce that is increasingly unhappy, overworked, and frustrated. Nearly half of the respondents (45%) indicated they were planning to quit or consider leaving the profession, and only two in five would recommend nursing as a career. 21% also expressed regret about their decision to become a NHS nurse.
Working through illness
The findings showed that 85% of nurses turned up for shifts at least once last year despite dealing with issues such as stress, back pain, colds, anxiety, or depression. 46% of these nurses did this between two and five times, while 19% worked while sick on more than five occasions. This trend has worsened since 2021, when 77% of nurses reported working through illness.
Nurses, often disregard their health to fill gaps in staffing and ensure the best possible care for patients. Although this shows their commitment to both their job and their patients, it also highlights the need for change in the NHS to support their workers.
Better working conditions for NHS nurses
The staffing crisis adds burden on existing staff, making many work beyond their physical and mental limits. The RCN survey also revealed that pay is the biggest source of dissatisfaction among nurses. 88% of respondents indicated that a pay rise would significantly improve their situation. Other factors including more flexible working hours, increased holidays, and shorter shifts would also make a difference to a nurses quality of life.
Like many other, nurses are faced with the ongoing cost of living crisis, some nurses are choosing to opt out of their pension scheme to free up cash to help with financial burdens.
As Mental Health Week 2024 raises awareness about mental well-being, the difficulty of nurses working through illness should be a focal point for employers and healthcare leaders.
Enhancing pay, reducing workloads, and providing better mental health support can help create a more sustainable and supportive environment for nurses, ensuring they can continue to deliver high-quality care without compromising their well-being.
