The survey for health workers' union Unison says poor pay is the reason half the nurses want to leave the NHS.

Of the 2,000 nurses questioned, 83% said they did not think they were paid enough for the job they do.

Of the 71% who are considering leaving, 84% are seriously considering alternatives to nursing.

Almost 75% of the nurses said they would not recommend a nursing career.

This is an increase of almost 15% on a similar survey last year.

Frequent staff shortages as well as increasing stress and workload were a growing cause of concern.

The nurses said recruitment problems were playing an increasing role in staff shortages.

Regrading

The survey results will be presented to the nurses', midwives' and health visitors' pay review body on Monday.

Unison is seeking a substantial pay rise for nurses.

But it is also suggesting that salary structures be regraded to tackle low pay at the bottom of the profession as well as for staff nurses.

It wants the starting salary for unqualified nursing staff to be raised from �8,315 to �9,215.

It says this would tackle low pay and recognise the shifting boundaries between non-registered and registered staff.

It also wants a regrading for staff nurses, lifting their starting salary from �12,855 to �17,030.

Unison's head of nursing Malcolm Wing said: "For the health of the NHS, Unison appeals to the government to introduce a new pay system designed to stop the cycle of boom and bust in nurses' pay. Otherwise we will all pay the price."

On Friday, nursing and midwife organisations called for a substantial pay rise.

Doctors have already demanded a 10% increase.