Scotland’s independent social care nursing workforce is under ‘immense pressure’ to recruit and retain staff amid rising levels of burnout, a new report has revealed.

In its Nursing Workforce Report 2025, care sector body Scottish Care highlights the challenges facing care homes, employers and more than 780 nurses who shared their experience.

Scottish Care CEO, Dr Donald Mackaskill said the report “shines a stark light on the reality facing social care nurses” across Scotland.

The survey shows levels of stress among nurses has increased by 37% since 2021, alongside rising sickness absence and increasingly ‘fragile’ retention of nurses in the care home sector.

More than half of the social care organisations employing nurses said nurses had left their roles in social care to move to the NHS.

Three in four report difficulties in filling nurse vacancies, pointing to insufficient numbers of nurses in Scotland, pay rates, and there being ‘better opportunities’ elsewhere.  

Around 70% said that nurses exit within their first five years.

Dr Macaskill continued:

“For too long, social care nurses have been undervalued, underpaid, and unsupported despite the skilled, complex and essential care they deliver every single day.

“Unless we address pay inequality with the NHS, invest in proper training and career development, and create fair pathways for international recruitment, we risk losing an irreplaceable workforce.

“The future sustainability of our health and social care system depends on a strong and respected nursing profession in care homes.

“We cannot afford to ignore this crisis any longer.”

The report says improving pay, providing more training and development opportunities, and in-work professional support will be most important for staff wellbeing.

Challenges faced by organisations when they try to recruit international nurses are also raised in the report, with employers saying a complex visa process, high costs and home office practices pose barriers.

Scottish Care is calling for greater investment to support safe staffing, delivering pay parity with NHS roles to prevent further loss to the NHS, alongside the introduction of a a fairer immigration system to support international recruitment.

It also recommends more social care professional development and training opportunities be put in place, and targeted and accessible pathways for new and returning nurses from different backgrounds be developed

Scottish Care says, without urgent action, these issues will continue to impact the continuity of care, hospital discharges, and the wider health and social care system.

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