Scottish nurses are at "breaking point" over poor pay and conditions, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned.

The organisation issued the warning after a survey of its members found 74% of nurses felt financially worse off than they did five years ago.

The poll also found 61% of the NHS workers felt they were too busy at work to provide patients with the level of care they would like to.

Around 800 nurses took part in the biannual survey.

Financial worries kept 40% of those surveyed to lose sleep, while 36% said they were looking for a new job.

RCN Scotland director Theresa Fyffe called on the Scottish Government to give her members an above inflation pay rise when the finance secretary publishes the devolved budget on Thursday.

"For too long the concerns of Scotland's nursing teams have been ignored, and nurses have been suggesting they don't have the resources to fulfil their jobs properly," Fyffe said.

"The Scottish Government must fulfil its commitment to raise living standards and aid recruitment by confirming an above inflation pay award for hard-pressed nursing staff in the budget."

She added: "It shouldn't be the case that nurses and health care support workers are taking on a second job, or leaving a job that they love because they are struggling to make ends meet.

"The survey's findings should fire a warning shot across the bows, for the Scottish Government our nursing workforce is at breaking point."

In response to Fyfee's comments, health secretary Shona Robison said: "NHS staffing has increased by over 12,400 under this government.

"We've also maintained a policy of no compulsory redundancies in Scotland, ensuring greater job security, which has not been replicated in England.

"A qualified nurse in Scotland is paid up to £312 more than counterparts in England and Wales, and all entry level support staff earn over £1000 more than their counterparts in England.

"However, with inflation rising, the Scottish Government recognises that the present pay restraint policy is unsustainable, which is why we were the first government in the UK to commit to lifting the 1% pay cap."