The Royal College of Nursing in Wales today released alarming figures from its 2023 Employment Survey, shedding light on the critical state of the nursing workforce in Wales.
The survey of nearly 1,000 nursing staff from across Wales reveals a profession under immense strain.This strain is taking a toll on the workforce, with 44.9% considering leaving the profession. The reasons are clear: 68.7% feel undervalued, 62.9% feel they are under too much pressure and 58.2% are exhausted.
Nicky Hughes, RCN Wales Associate Director of Nursing (Employment Relations), said: “It’s a perfect storm. Nursing staff stand as the unwavering pillars of care, yet they face a tempest of strain. Without them, there would be no NHS. For a workforce that gives beyond measure, it’s our turn to give back – support, value and respect for nursing staff are not just deserved, they’re due”.
The survey indicates a worrying trend of increased unpaid overtime. 73.5% of Welsh nurses are working additional hours each week. Among those respondents who work beyond their contracted hours at least once a week, around seven in 10 (71.7%) at least three additional hours a week. This unpaid labour represents a substantial contribution to the NHS, equating to the work of approximately 1,354 full-time registered nurses every week.
Financially, the impact is profound. In 2022/23, NHS Wales health boards spent £161.2m on agency nursing. This amount would pay the salaries of 5,591 full-time newly qualified nurses.
The survey also highlights the critical role of nursing staff in the financial stability of households, with 58.6% of respondents indicating that their earnings account for half or more of their household income.
Nicky Hughes added: “Unpaid hours are a silent testament to our nursing staff’s commitment to health care. Yet this is a double-edged sword, as the financial burden looms over both their lives and the health system they uphold. The health of our caregivers reflects the health of our society.
“RCN Wales calls for immediate action to address these issues, emphasising the need for a sustainable workforce plan that values and supports nursing staff, ensuring they can provide the highest standard of evidence-based care to the people of Wales”.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
View the Employment Survey 2023 report findings.
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 with over half a million members in the UK, including around 30,500 members in Wales. The RCN promotes the interests of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy.
For more information, contact the RCN Wales communications and media team on 02920 680 769 or mediawales@rcn.org.uk
