Two-thirds of nurses working in general practice in the UK are considering quitting their jobs in the next year . This is the stark finding that emerged from our survey of 393 nursing staff working in general practice earlier this year , as explored in full on page 8 .

It revealed that 18 % of those considering quitting are looking at early retirement , 11 % a different nursing role outside general practice , 8 % a complete change of profession and 5 % a different role within general practice . Six per cent favour retiring as planned , with 14 % unsure how they would leave . Many respondents told us staffing shortages have already hit their practices hard , with recruiting proving just as challenging as retaining existing staff . The full survey results can be found on page 8 .

The RCN called the findings ‘ desperately sad ’, saying they show a system in ‘ crisis ’ amid the pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic , worsening staff shortages and poor

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working conditions . While the past two years have shone a light on the value of nurses in general practice , that period has also demanded unprecedented levels of dedication , hard work and adaptation . And it ’ s not over : nurses ’ work continues to fight the virus , catch up on the backlog of care and deliver everyday services for patients .

Against this backdrop of extraordinary and relentless work , alongside the surge in nurses considering leaving their roles , we search for a light at the end of the tunnel – looking at the state of practice nursing , how it has changed and what must be done to convince more nurses to join the profession and , crucially , to stay .

Getting student nurses on board ‘ I ’ m really worried because I want to go into general practice but everyone is telling me how bored I ’ m going to be .’ This message from a student nurse was recently sent to Sumeya Gulam , a practice nurse in West Sussex

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