Nurses reveal fears over future of the profession in new survey
Published: 26 September 2011
Nurses working in the NHS are being pushed to breaking point amid a backdrop of poor career prospects, financial worries, bullying in the workplace and plummeting morale according to the new Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members’ employment survey.
With mounting concern over NHS pensions and with a special RCN Council meeting next Friday (30 September) to discuss possible next steps, only a third (35 percent) of nurses would opt to stay in the NHS pension scheme if pension contributions were increased by three percent or more. More widely, less than one in three nurses (32 per cent) believed nursing would continue to offer a secure job in the future – a huge fall from 74 percent from 2009. Nearly 8,000 nurses and healthcare assistants responded to the survey, carried out every two years, outlining fears over finances, their future career and work pressures.
The survey paints a grim picture for the profession, with other key findings including:
• Nearly three quarters of nurses (71 percent) reported increased stress at work.
• 54 percent have considered leaving their job, potentially storing up long term staffing problems.
• 56 percent say they are under too much pressure at work (51 percent in 2009).
• Less than half of nurses (48 percent) feel they are able to balance work and home lives (61 percent in 2009).
One particular area of concern for nurses was the state of their finances. A total of 86 percent of respondents said their household expenses have increased, while a third said concerns over personal debt have risen. Nearly two-thirds of nurses (65 percent) say concerns about their financial situation have increased since 2009.
Nurses and healthcare assistants also spoke out about bullying in NHS organisations. Nearly a third (31 percent) have personally experienced harassment or bullying from patients or their family. And just half of respondents were confident that they would be treated fairly if they reported being harassed by a colleague.
RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said: “Today’s report lays bare the true state of what is happening in hospitals and NHS workplaces up and down the country. Nurses are clearly hugely concerned about the not only the current state, but also the future of their profession. It is extremely worrying when the number of nurses who feel the profession will continue to offer a secure job falls from 74 percent to 32 percent just two years later.
“Equally worrying is the high numbers of nurses and healthcare assistants experiencing bullying. This is completely unacceptable and all NHS staff should be able to care for patients, while feeling safe and properly supported by employers and without the threat of bullying, harassment and violence.”
Ends
Notes for Editors
1. The survey was conducted by Incomes Data Services for the Royal College of Nursing.
2. The figures are from the RCN’s 23rd Employment Survey and covers the views of almost 8000 nurses.
3. The RCN Council will stage a special meeting next Friday (30 September) to discuss proposed changes to pension arrangements and possible RCN action.
4. For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
5. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations