Stress is through the roof for health care workers. Front-line workers are bearing the terrible brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, and one group feeling it the most is nurses. Nursing has always been a difficult job, says Holly Carpenter, senior policy advisor for nursing practice and work environment and innovation at the American Nurses Association. “We find that, year after year, between 60% and 80% feel at risk for anxiety. To me, common sense dictates, yes, it’s getting worse,” she says. A recent ANA survey of 22,000 nurses asked respondents over the past 14 days how they were feeling. The results found: — 51% feel exhausted.