'even more' nurses considering quitting the profession, survey reveals | nursing times

There has been a sharp rise in the number of nurses considering quitting the profession compared to this time last year, suggest results from a new survey. The research also found that

“existing tensions” among the workforce appeared to have been “exacerbated” by the Covid-19 crisis. > “Existing tensions have been exacerbated by the pandemic” >  > Donna Kinnair

The survey findings feature in a new report published by Royal College of Nursing and cover the views of almost 42,000 of its members across the UK and Channel Islands. Of those who

responded to the survey, 36% of nurses were thinking of leaving the profession, an increase from 27% reported in a similar piece of research carried out at the end of last year. When

considering the reasons for quitting, 61% of staff indicated that the level of pay was the “main driver”, while others said they were dissatisfied with the way nursing staff had been treated

during the pandemic (44%). Meanwhile, 43% of nurses cited low staffing levels and 42% a lack of management support as key reasons for wanting to leave nursing. The report warned that the

increase in those thinking about leaving was a cause for serious alarm, especially as before the pandemic the workforce was already 40,000 members short in the NHS in England alone. When

asked what would make nurses feel more valued, 73% of respondents cited higher pay. This was “true for all staff in every sector of health and social care and whether they are considering

leaving the profession or not”, noted the report. In addition, half of respondents said improved staffing levels would help make them feel more valued, while 45% cited safe working

conditions and 43% identified adequate equipment and materials. The authors of the report, published today, said these findings in particular “indicate members’ concerns around safety during

Covid-19”. > “Investment in staffing and pay is about both patient safety and > the health of our workers” >  > Donna Kinnair Overall, the report said the “majority” of

participants said it was “important to them that pay improvements reflect their level of responsibility, and for pay to be comparable with other sectors”. One in three NHS respondents

reported that they were “working a higher level of responsibility” during the coronavirus crisis, while in both social care and private health providers, four in 10 were working at a “higher

level”. However, it was highlighted that a “vast majority” across all sectors were not being paid for this increased responsibility. Concerns were also raised in the report about the number

of respondents working longer hours during the pandemic. Donna Kinnair In addition, the new findings found that, while 74% of respondents felt more valued by the general public, just 18%

said they felt more valued by the government. Meanwhile, 54% of respondents said they felt more valued by patients and service users. On the whole, the report said its findings meant

messages for those in authority “could not be clearer”. These were that nurses are “working harder than ever but feel less valued; even more of us are now considering leaving the profession

we love; pay us fairly for our professional practice and address the dangerous staffing shortages”. Commenting on the survey, RCN chief executive and general secretary, Dame Donna Kinnair

said: “The responses from our members working in all sectors reveal how their professional lives have been changed by the pandemic. “Existing tensions have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

Earlier sticking plasters are no longer covering gaping holes.” Dame Donna said the government needed to “take steps to retain the nursing staff we have, as well as to increase entry into

the profession”. “Investment in staffing and pay is about both patient safety and the health of our workers,” she said. “That is how to strengthen all NHS and care services to help keep

patients safe.” A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We are incredibly grateful for the dedication NHS nursing staff have shown during the pandemic. "We want to

attract and retain brilliant nursing staff, make the NHS the best possible place to work and have 50,000 more nurses by end of this Parliament, with already over 12,000 more nurses joining

since last year." They added: “More than one million NHS workers continue to benefit from the three-year Agenda for Change pay deal, under which the starting pay for a newly qualified

nurse has increased by over 12% since 2017/18. “The independent NHS Pay Review Body makes recommendations to government on pay increases and we will consider their advice when we receive

it.” NEWS ON PREVIOUS RCN SURVEYS