Analysis
‘Super nurse’ myth: the sickness absence rules that pressure staff
More than half of NHS nurses in England have gone to work despite being unwell, a phenomenon some link to management pressure and punitive sickness absence policies, as well as a harmful ‘super nurse’ culture that makes nurses feel they should be invincible. Nurses also say they feel a duty to work when ill and not let down colleagues and patients. Nursing leaders warn that against a background of stress and burnout in the profession this trend of presenteeism poses a threat to staff well-being and patient safety – and say there is a better way.
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