The survey by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) found that 90% of nurses say they are facing mental exhaustion as a result of the pandemic.
97% of the almost 2,000 nurses and midwives surveyed said COVID-19 has had a negative psychological impact on their jobs.
62% of nurses said they had cared for patients who passed away as a result of COVID.
As many as 68% of nurses questioned in the survey said they are considering finding a new profession.
"This survey paints a bleak picture of how emotionally and physically taxing the pandemic has been on our nurses and midwives right across the country," said Steve Pitman, INMO's head of education and professional development. "While nurses and midwives deal with and care for dying patients normally, the level of death in this short period far exceeded previous levels in circumstances that were far from ideal in many instances."
Pitman said Ireland's nurses and midwives "have faced an unprecedented increase in workload demands resulting directly or indirectly from the pandemic."
"Coupled with caring for patients with the virus, witnessing the physical and emotional effects on patients, families and loved ones has taken a psychological toll," he added.
Pitman fears that the mental and emotional exhaustion felt by nurses may affect their safety and that of their patients.
"The INMO has provided mental health supports for members through an online digital mental health support hub, free counselling help line and emergency funding through the INMO benevolent fund, but it is clear that the State must provide more practical resources and mental health supports for nurses and midwives, recovery must be prioritised," he said.
