Nearly nine in 10 nurses in England work when they are sick, research shows

Almost nine in ten nurses go to work when they are ill, according to research that reveals the enormous pressure staff are under within the NHS.

Last year, 85% of nurses still showed up at least once last year, despite complaints such as stress, back pain, colds, anxiety or depression.

Almost half (46%) did this between two and five times and almost one in five (19%) did this more than five times, according to a Royal College of Nursing (RCN) survey of more than 11,000 members in The United Kingdom.

The number of nurses working due to illness is also growing. Last year, 85% did this, compared to 77% in 2021.

Nurses are feeling forced to work while ill to plug gaps in rosters and ensure patients receive the best possible care, the RCN said.

Pat Cullen, general secretary and chief executive of the union, said: “In desperate attempts to keep services together, more and more nurses are coming into work sick. They sacrifice their own well-being to care for patients.

“These dedicated professionals should not have to sacrifice their health and wellbeing to keep neglected services afloat. But that is the daily reality, and it is the patients who ultimately suffer.

“The stress and anxiety associated with meeting patients’ needs forces them to work while they are sick.”

The RCN’s biennial survey into the state of the nursing profession also painted a picture of a workforce that is unhappy, overworked, oppressed and increasingly frustrated with pay. It appeared that:

• 71 percent think they are under too much pressure at work.

• Sixty-six percent say they are too busy to provide patients with the ideal level of care.

• Forty-five percent plan to quit or are considering doing so.

• Only two in five would recommend nursing as a career – and 21% regret becoming a nurse.

The NHS in England alone has a shortage of 34,709 nurses, the latest vacancy figures show.

Payment emerged as the biggest frustration. Nearly nine in ten (88%) said a pay rise would make the most difference to them, far ahead of more flexible working hours (30%), more holidays (30%) and shorter hours (25%).

Many nurses face financial problems. Some are leaving their pension schemes to free up money to help them through the cost of living crisis, while the inability to make ends meet is leaving 70% of nurses anxious or sleep deprived, the RCN has found.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “We greatly value the work of NHS nurses and remain committed to supporting the career development and wellbeing of all NHS staff.

“The latest NHS workforce survey showed improvements in staff morale and experience, and the number of nurse vacancies in NHS trusts is at its lowest level since records began in 2017.

“In addition, the NHS long-term workforce plan – supported by more than £2.4 billion of government funding – will increase the number of nurses by up to 190,000 by 2036/37.”