Backing out: nurse wastage associated with back pain

Results from a survey of 1008 National Health Service nurses and nursing auxiliaries leaving their current position are reported. These indicate that 1.3% of nurse leavers are leaving their positions for good solely because of back pain. Further, one nurse leaver in 29 is leaving their position with back pain as a main or contributory cause and 12% of all nurse leavers intending to leave for good cited back pain as either a main or contributory factor. The findings from this survey have implications for Health Authorities in relation to costs and manpower planning, and emphasize the need to provide further education and prompt referral and treatment to prevent long-term back morbidity and wastage, not only for registered nurses but also for nursing auxiliaries and aides.