Today we launched the second report in our series ‘Building a better future for nursing’ following our member survey in May and June.
Over 42000 of you shared your experiences of working during COVID-19 and told us how your professional lives have been changed by the pandemic.
Whether you are working with COVID-19-positive patients or maintaining services elsewhere, your message was clear – we need fundamental change now.
Almost 90% of you told us that you remain positive about the nursing profession. And that is despite working under incredibly stressful conditions.
You told us staffing levels have gotten worse, you’re working longer hours and you’re working at a higher level of responsibility with patients with more complex needs.
This has taken its toll. Unsurprisingly half of you are worried about your own mental heath and nearly all of you said you’re concerned about the wellbeing of the nursing profession in general.
I share your concerns. Whether in hospitals, care homes or in the community, the entire health and care workforce has stepped up to care for patients and support your colleagues.
You deserve to be valued for the incredible work you do – day in, day out.
The pandemic is not over, but unless there is improved pay and working conditions, there is a risk many of you will choose to leave the profession at a time when the nation needs you more than ever.
The Governments in the UK need to help our existing workforce and ensure that nursing is attractive, well-paid and meaningfully supported. That is how to equip all NHS and care services to help keep patients safe. To get there, we need honest dialogue on the basis of the facts.
The RCN and our members are ready and waiting to have that conversation.
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Read the report: Building a better future for nursing: RCN members have their say
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