Almost nine out of 10 nurses in England work when ill, survey finds

Nurses ‘sacrifice their health and wellbeing’ to help plug gaps in rotas, Royal College of Nurses says

Almost nine out of 10 nurses come into work when ill, according to research that lays bare the intense pressures staff are under in the NHS.

Last year 85% of nurses still turned up for a shift at least once last year despite having issues such as stress, back pain, a cold, anxiety or depression.

Seventy-one per cent feel they are under too much pressure at work.

Sixty-six per cent say they are too busy to give patients the ideal level of care.

Forty-five per cent are planning to quit or considering doing so.

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