Nursing Staff Feel More Undervalued Than Ever, Major RCN Survey Reveals
Nursing staff across the UK feel more undervalued than at any point in the past decade, according to the latest Royal College of Nursing employment survey, with the organisation now calling for urgent action to “make the next 10 years better than the last”.
More than 21,000 RCN members from across all health and care settings participated in the biennial survey, which paints a concerning picture of a workforce under significant strain. While there are small signs of progress, the findings reveal that nursing staff believe their skills and expertise remain unrecognised, with workload pressures preventing them from delivering the standard of care they aspire to provide.
Pay fairness emerged as the single biggest concern among respondents. Two-thirds believe their salary does not reflect the responsibilities, skills and risks they face daily. The survey shows record numbers of members dissatisfied with their pay band, reflecting widespread frustration with the current framework, which the RCN says is “not fit for purpose” and requires fundamental reform beyond annual cost-of-living increases.
Retention continues to pose a significant challenge for the workforce. Four in 10 nursing staff are considering or actively planning to leave their roles, citing feeling undervalued, low pay, excessive pressure and emotional exhaustion as the primary drivers. The RCN has warned this represents a serious threat to both workforce stability and patient care.
Workload pressures remain acute, with many nursing staff regularly working beyond contracted hours—often unpaid—and more than eight in 10 reporting working whilst unwell. These pressures are taking a toll on morale, health and the ability to provide quality care.
Perhaps most concerning is a dramatic decline in advocacy for nursing as a career. While most respondents still describe nursing as rewarding, only a third would now recommend it as a profession—the lowest figure since the survey began 10 years ago.
The survey also highlights the impact of rising living costs, with some nursing staff reconsidering pension contributions and struggling to meet basic expenses.
When asked what would make the biggest difference, nursing staff overwhelmingly prioritised a pay rise, followed by more annual leave and greater flexibility in working arrangements.
Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said:
“Ten years on from our first employment survey and the results continue to paint a worrying picture—many nursing staff are considering or actively planning to leave their roles.
“The current pay framework is broken and long overdue reform to the pay structure is needed. No annual cost of living pay increase is ever going to be enough to deliver the fundamental change we need.
“Despite these challenges, nursing is an amazing profession. Our challenge now is to make the next 10 years better than the last, for nursing as a profession but crucially for patients too.”
Professor Ranger outlined the key priorities: securing fair pay and recognition for all nursing staff; investment in safe staffing, including mandated minimum nurse-to-patient ratios across all settings; and employer action to create safer workplaces where every member of the nursing workforce is supported, valued and protected.
“These ambitions are not new—but they need to be realised now more than ever,” she concluded.
