Analysis
Well-being survey: ‘inhumane’ shifts leave no time even for a sip of water
Exclusive research carried out by Nursing Standard shows understaffing and issues with management are risking nurses’ health

Exclusive research carried out by Nursing Standard shows understaffing and issues with management are risking nurses’ health
- Three quarters of nurses surveyed said they often work shifts without breaks
- Only one in five say they always have a chance to hydrate during their shift
- RCN brands survey findings ‘inhumane’ and raises patient safety concerns
Eight out of ten nurses have gone an entire shift without a single drink of water, with more than half saying it happens at least once a week, an exclusive survey for Nursing Standard has revealed.
Nurses responding to our survey cited a lack of staffing – and in some cases, 'uncaring' management – as
...Want to read more?
Unlock full access to RCNi Plus today
Save over 50% on your first three months:
- Customisable clinical dashboard featuring 200+ topics
- Unlimited online access to all 10 RCNi Journals including Nursing Standard
- RCNi Learning featuring 180+ RCN accredited learning modules
- NMC-compliant RCNi Portfolio to build evidence for revalidation
- Personalised newsletters tailored to your interests
Already registered or subscribed? Log in

This article is not available as part of an institutional subscription. Why is this?
