RCN Last shift survey - Scotland briefing

In March 2022, the Royal College of Nursing invited nursing and midwifery staff from across the UK to tell us about their experiences of the last time they were at work. The survey provides valuable insight into the realities of staffing levels across Scotland, and the impact on our members and the people they are caring for. 

The survey was open to all nursing and midwifery staff working in different settings across the UK and addressed a number of issues relating to staffing levels. The response from staff working in Scotland was significant, more than 2,300 responded, accounting for 13% of total responses.

The survey also provided respondents with the opportunity to describe in their own words, the impact that staffing levels have had on them and those they care for. Some of these examples are set out within this report, to illustrate the impact of the survey responses.

The contents of this report are part of a growing body of evidence that we are facing a nursing workforce crisis in Scotland.

The UK wide report shows that pressure on the nursing workforce is a concern across all four nations and includes actions the RCN expects to see in every part of the UK.