Most 'Scottish Nurses' have considered leaving the job

Damning new research has revealed that most nurses working in Scotland have considered leaving their job, because of the cost-of-living crisis.

A survey from The Royal College of Nursing has shown that 60% of nursing staff thought about leaving in the last year because of rising living costs.

The survey also suggested that 21% had difficulties managing their finances or missed bills in the last year, while 23% had gone without food or skipped meals.

The RCN also said that 91% of staff have had mental health struggles because of their finances, while 43% said they've worked longer than their contracted hours.

Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland Director, said: “These results are really concerning. I feel for all nursing staff who, at the same time as they try to hold together services under extreme pressure and provide high-quality care, are struggling to stay afloat financially.

“Since the pandemic, we have seen growing numbers of staff quitting nursing altogether.

“Our results show that those numbers could rise even more steeply. That’s a trend health and social care services cannot afford to see with nursing vacancy rates already at stubbornly high levels.”