Michael McHale , 2025-05-09 07:20:00
More than half said they had experienced aggressive behaviour in the workplace, with one-in-five being subjected to physical violence
Six-in-ten nurses have thought about leaving their job in the past month, with workplace stress cited as the primary reason, a new survey has found.
A poll of members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) showed that almost three-in-four nurses believe current staffing levels and skill mix did not meet the required clinical and patient demands in their work area.
Four-in-ten said their work negatively impacted their psychological wellbeing ‘a great deal’ or ‘a lot’, while 69 per cent said their physical health was being affected by their jobs.
More than half (55 per cent) said they were ‘always’ or ‘very often’ physically exhausted, while almost one-in-four (24 per cent) said they attended their GP due to work-related stress.
Emotional exhaustion and burnout was a significant factor in responses, with almost 70 per cent saying they often or always felt worn out at the end of the working day, and 49 per cent feeling exhausted in the morning at the thought of the working day ahead.
The findings were revealed at the union’s annual conference, which took place in Wexford this week.
Staffing was a major concern for members in terms of both staff and patient safety. Among those citing inadequate staffing, over 90 per cent expressed concern about compromised patient safety, and almost half (49 per cent) said they felt pressured to work additional hours or shifts in order to make up worker shortages.
The number of respondents working between one and 10 hours unpaid each month has increased on last year with 65 per cent stating that this was their experience.
More than half of nurses (53 per cent) said they were ‘always’ or ‘very often’ available for periods that were supposed to be lunch/coffee breaks during their work shift.
Phil Ni Sheaghdha, INMO General Secretary
Over half of respondents (55 per cent) reported that they had experienced aggressive (verbal or threatening) behaviour in the workplace, and one-in-five stated that they had experienced physical violence in the workplace.
“Our members have been very clear in this survey that staffing levels are having a detrimental effect on patient care and a severe impact on nurses’ and midwives’ ability to protect their own health and safety,” said INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha.
“To have one in five workers attending their GP for work-related stress would be a scandal in many workplaces and industries, but this is the level of sacrifice that is expected from our members and it is simply not sustainable.
She added: “It is absolutely critical that improvements come into effect in the coming months regarding both staffing and workforce planning, and this needs to include legislation that underpins clinically safe staffing levels. This needs to happen not simply to protect these healthcare workers and their patients but to protect the future of the health service.”
Meanwhile, St James’s Hospital (SJH) in Dublin has become the first hospital on the island of Ireland to be awarded the ‘Pathway to Excellence’ designation.
The accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) recognises healthcare organisations that demonstrate a commitment to establishing and sustaining a positive practice environment for the nursing team.
This milestone coincides with International Nurses Day, a celebration of the vital contributions that nurses make to healthcare worldwide.
“This award was made possible through teamwork, something the 2,200 nurses at St James’s Hospital value hugely and live every day,” said SJH assistant director of nursing Charlotte Stuart.
“Through the designation process, SJH nurses showcased initiatives, projects and policies that highlight how our hospital and nursing team work tirelessly to deliver the best care for patients and to constantly improve safety and quality.”
