Britain's National Health Service is funded by the government, and is the biggest employer in Europe, with 1.2 million employees. But nursing recruitment in the UK is at its worst level for 25 years, and 40% of new nurses come form overseas, often from South East Asia. In 2001, the Royal College of Nursing published the results of a survey of its members. These are some of the key results.
Most nurses work both day and night shifts
three fifths of NHS nurses work an average 6.5 hours overtime per week.
One third do this for no extra pay
90% think that they are poorly paid.