Almost one in five nurses have taken 'hard steps' to quit, says NMC

Around a fifth of nurses, midwives and nursing associates have taken concrete steps to leave the profession, a major survey by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has revealed.

The findings, based on responses from 37,961 nursing and midwifery professionals – representing 5% of the NMC register at the time of the research – saw over a third (36%) of registrant’s report that pressure on workload and capacity had led them to consider or take steps towards leaving the profession.

Some 18% had taken ‘hard steps’ to do so, such as contacting recruiters or applying for roles outside the profession or retirement.

It comes as more than a third of nurses and midwives have said they would ‘reconsider’ renewing their NMC registration should a proposed fee increase go ahead. Unison’s survey of more than 3,000 registrants last week revealed that 6% felt they would ‘definitely leave’ as a result of a fee rise.

Workload pressures

The NMC’s 2025 spotlight report, published today, saw around a quarter (26%) of respondents report they were ‘struggling’ with workload.

More than half (51%) of registrants said they worked beyond their contracted hours at least once a week. This was highest for midwives (68%), followed by nurses (50%), then nursing associates (38%).

Meanwhile, 34% reported feeling ‘unable to cope’ with workload at least once a week, the NMC report said.

And more than half (54%) said it was difficult to take breaks because of ‘the intensity’ of their workload at least once a week.

Nurses and midwives were asked of the most ‘common adjustments’ they made because of workload or capacity.

The most common responses included refusing to undertake additional workload (24%), reducing contracted hours (19%) and moving to a role working less directly with people in care (11%).

Other findings showed that while 58% of nursing and midwifery professionals report satisfaction with their day-to-day work, most have experienced harassment, bullying or abuse and nearly a quarter are at high risk of burnout.

‘A perfect storm for patient care’

Royal College of Nursing chief nursing officer Lynn Woolsey said: ‘Nursing staff take pride in doing their best for patients, but this report shows the dashboard is flashing red for a workforce drowning under unmanageable workloads, unsafe staffing levels within toxic environments.’

She said the current situation and pressures facing nurses was ‘a perfect storm for patient care now and in the future’.

‘Turning around health and social care requires governments to listen to their largest workforce,’ added Ms Woolsey.

‘Investment to boost nurse numbers, alongside strategies to improve retention are crucial to easing workload pressures and freeing up staff to deliver care they are proud of.’