KEY TAKEAWAYS

UK nurses face crisis as 74% report weekly emotional exhaustion by 2026

According to a 2026 report by Joyce University of Nursing & Health Sciences, 74% of nurses have felt emotionally exhausted multiple times a week over the course of a month.

One in four Gen Z nurses reported that they chose not to use the mental health resources available to them because they were concerned about confidentiality or impact on their careers.

In the survey, 55% of nurses reported regularly skipping meals or breaks.

Higher patient acuity, understaffing, and workplace violence are all key factors that CNOs must keep trying to address. New data from a 2026 report by Joyce University of Nursing & Health Sciences underscores the importance of leadership modeling sustainable practices, Brittany Cooper, director of communications explained.

"When senior nursing leaders visibly prioritize rest, boundaries, and well-being, it signals that those behaviors are supported throughout the organization," Cooper said.

Here are some key takeaways that CNOs need to know.