We are used to relying so heavily on the nursing profession to help care for our sick and elderly that we often fail to understand the stress that many of the nation's nursing staff are facing themselves.

A new study into the wellbeing of the nation's nurses has found that many are suffering from mental health problems, obesity and musculoskeletal conditions. Overall, nurses rate their health as either poor or average.

Another issue is that the profession is a rapidly ageing one, struggling to attract young people into its ranks to fill the gap being left by those retiring.

The study by Southern Cross University of almost 5500 nurses found that about 40 per cent are aged 50 or over.

While the number of diabetic nurses was on par with the general population, 35 per cent were at a high risk of developing the disease in the next five years.

About 10 per cent of nurses reported drinking more than two standard alcoholic drinks a day, with the same number being smokers. More than half felt that stress affected their health and 46 per cent said weight management was a problem.

This presents a major problem as the population ages in that, unless something is done about it, there will be fewer trained professionals to look after an increasing number of elderly or infirm Australians.

Our nurses are taken for granted, working long and often anti-social hours that are not conducive to a happy and healthy lifestyle.

They take care of us, but they are not being taken care of themselves.