SCOTTISH nurses are "exhausted" after pandemic, a surrvey has found.

Three in four nurses and nursing assistants who responded to UNISON’s latest survey say they are tired or exhausted after working through the pandemic.

The study, revealed on International Nurses Day today, also showed more than half had considered leaving their job this year with 32% saying they thought it about it "very often"’.

While the majority of those who took part agreed they were "proud to be part of the nursing team" only one in three would recommend nursing as a career to their friends and family.

A third have decided to bring forward their retirement plans and will now retire within the next five years - 5% will now retire this year.

Margo Cranmer, chair of UNISON’s nursing sector committee, said: “This shocking survey makes grim reading, especially on International Nurses Day – a day we should be celebrating the nursing teams across the world.

“Scotland’s nursing team is stressed and exhausted. Substantial investment in extra staff and changes to their working lives are essential.