Research shows psychological impact of pandemic on UK nursing and midwifery workforce

Surveys taken during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020 show experiences consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
SNaM stress anxiety headache sickness depression

Extremely concerning levels of psychological distress are reported in results from a longitudinal study of the UK nursing and midwifery workforce during COVID-19. The findings could help how staff are supported in healthcare services now and in future.

The results from surveys of the UK nursing and midwifery workforce taken at three time points during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020 have found concerning levels of psychological distress, including experiences consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stress and anxiety in respondents.

A combination of pre-existing workforce challenges, rapid changes to professional life and ways of working, high patient mortality rates, risk of illness to both the individual and their family, and the way in which healthcare organisations responded to the pandemic may have important and demonstrable psychological impacts on the UK nursing and midwifery workforce.

The results, published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies provide important information to help identify potential factors associated with psychological distress and inform workforce support planning for future pandemics for healthcare services in the UK and across the globe.

What did the study involve?

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Nursing and Midwifery workforce (ICON) study is a longitudinal national survey which aimed to assess the mental health effects of the pandemic over time on the nursing workforce and identify the personal and workplace factors associated with wellbeing to inform the response to the current pandemic and support preparation for future pandemics. The surveys were taken at three time points between 2-14 April 2020 (during the first wave), 28 April-12 May 2020 (during the first wave), and 30 July-20 August 2020 (three-months following the first wave) and provide insight into psychological impact of the pandemic during the first wave and into the recovery period.

The ICON study was developed by the Royal College of Nursing Research Society and led by the University of Warwick and King's College London, with collaborators including Barts Health NHS Trust, City University of London, University of Nottingham, Cardiff University, University of Plymouth, and University of Surrey.

All members of the UK nursing and midwifery workforce were eligible to complete the survey, including registered nurses, registered midwives, student nurses, healthcare support workers, nursing associates, and trainee nursing associates. The survey was distributed by social media, the Royal College of Nursing, and other key professional organisations.

Across the three surveys, a total of 7,840 analysable responses were received.

At all three time points, both personal and workplace factors were associated with probable PTSD, although some specific associations changed over the course of the pandemic. Key workplace-related factors were associated with adverse psychological effects, including redeployment to other clinical areas without adequate training and inadequate infection control training. A key individual-level factor associated with probable PTSD was having a personal caring responsibility.

What were the key survey findings?

  • A significant proportion of participants were identified as having probable PTSD. While this declined over the three surveys, almost 29.3% continued to report experiences indicative of a probable post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis three-months after the first pandemic peak.
  • Severe or extreme stress was reported by almost 17.5% respondents three-months after the first pandemic peak.
  • 63.2% of redeployed respondents reported that training to prepare for redeployment either did not occur or was inadequate.
  • 40% reported that they lacked confidence in infection prevention and control training that they had received, or that training had not been received.
  • 22.6% felt that the correct personal protective equipment was not always available.
  • Prevalence of some psychological issues decreased following the first pandemic peak, but a significant proportion of participants continued to experience negative psychological effects during the pandemic recovery phase.

These findings can inform how healthcare organisations should respond to staff wellbeing needs both during the current pandemic, and in planning for future pandemics.

The study concluded that healthcare organisations should urgently implement evidence-based strategies to support the wellbeing of members of the nursing and midwifery workforce affected by the pandemic, and develop robust workforce plans in preparation for future pandemics.

What the experts say


Dr Keith Couper, Assistant Professor in Emergency and Critical Care at the University of Warwick and project lead, said: 

“We know that even prior to the pandemic, the UK nursing and midwifery workforce was under significant strain due to high levels of attrition and ongoing recruitment challenges. Our study clearly highlights that staff experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic has had significantly exacerbated this strain. The findings of our research show that the psychological impact of the pandemic on the UK nursing and midwifery workforce has been extremely concerning. The ongoing challenges during subsequent pandemic waves have likely exacerbated this impact.”

Ruth Harris, Professor of Health Care for Older Adults in the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care at King’s College London, said: 

“Our findings should drive healthcare employers throughout the world to address shortcomings in their organisational response to COVID-19, and future health emergencies, to both prevent psychological issues developing and ensure that those affected receive timely high-quality evidence-based support during the pandemic and as needed thereafter.”

Professor Bridie Kent, who herself returned to practice to help in the fight against COVID-19, added: 

“I’ve seen first-hand how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nursing colleagues, so to see the study findings echo the huge pressure they’ve been under comes as no surprise. 
"These findings can inform how healthcare organisations should respond to staff wellbeing needs both during the current pandemic, and in planning for future pandemics. We need to look after our workforce.”


Bridie Kent

The full study, entitled The impact of COVID-19 on the wellbeing of the UK nursing and midwifery workforce during the first pandemic wave: a longitudinal survey study, is available to view in the International Journal of Nursing Studies (doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.104155).


Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research

From basic research discovering the causes of disease, through to evaluating novel ways of delivering care to the most vulnerable people in society, our thriving community conducts adventurous world-leading research.

Transformation in life course, ageing, methodologies, e-health, technology and interventions in health, social care, lifestyle and wellbeing.

Find out more about our research
People walking and talking in a modern setting.