When Scotland first went into lockdown in March 2020, nurses became the nation’s lifeline. They were the steady hands holding frightened patients’ lives, the reassuring voices behind PPE masks, the ones who never stayed home when the rest of us were told to. The early days of the Covid-19 pandemic were marked by long shifts, constant risk of infection, and the heart-breaking duty of holding phones to dying patients so families could say goodbye. Many nurses describe those months as a form of “collective trauma.”

From Pandemic Trauma to a Prolonged Crisis

During 2020–21, Scottish nurses faced extreme workloads, staff shortages, and high mortality rates. Many experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. Instead of a short recovery period, nurses walked into a health system burdened by record waiting lists, chronic understaffing and the task of clearing backlogs — all while still managing the daily demands of patient care.

• Covid Trauma: intense exposure to death, PPE fatigue, and repeated high-pressure shifts.
• Lingering Pressures: long-term understaffing and growing waiting lists created relentless demand.
• Rising Absence: anxiety, stress and depression have become leading causes of sickness absence in NHS Scotland.
• External Stressors: pay disputes and cost-of-living pressures add financial and personal strain.

Why Nursing Feels “Unsustainable”

Nurses describe a vicious cycle: under-staffing increases workload; heavier workloads drive burnout and sickness absence; more absence deepens staff shortages — and morale falls. This cycle erodes clinical supervision, makes protected breaks rare, and forces experienced nurses into managerial or locum roles where clinical continuity suffers. The consequence is worse working conditions and increased risk of mistakes — a double threat to both staff and patients.

"We were applauded in 2020, but applause doesn't pay the bills, reduce the caseload, or take the trauma away." — anonymised frontline nurse testimony

Recruiting New Nurses into a System in Crisis

The Scottish Government has ambitious recruitment targets and more training places — but recruitment alone is not enough. Student nurses face unpaid placements, heavy academic demands and the emotional weight of clinical work. While many graduates enter nursing with passion and commitment, the fear that the workplace will damage their mental health deters some and pushes others away after a few years.

If workplaces do not change, Scotland risks a revolving door: bringing in new nurses only to see many leave early due to stress or burnout. That scenario would leave services permanently short-staffed and increase the pressure on remaining staff.

What Needs to Change

Experts and frontline staff consistently point to a multi-layered response that includes:

• Safe staffing levels so shifts are manageable and safe.
• Accessible, on-site mental health support — counselling, trauma-informed supervision, and protected time to access these services.
• Fair pay and flexible working to reduce financial pressure and improve retention.
• Leadership that listens — visible, accountable leaders who act on staff feedback.
• Investment in retention — mentorship, career development and routes to flexible, less intense roles for experienced staff.

A Call to Value the People Who Care for Us

Scotland owes its nurses more than applause. The Covid pandemic showed the country how vital, skilled and courageous nurses are. If we fail to care for their mental health now, we risk a future where there simply aren't enough nurses to care for the rest of us.

Want this article with stats, quotes or links to current campaigns? I can add up-to-date figures (absence days, per-1,000 staffing rates), union statements, or a short policy action checklist you can publish alongside the post. Request updates & stats