Nursing leaders say patients are being put at risk “every day” due to the NHS crisis.
Fed-up staff are taking part in their biggest walkout yet across England until 11.59pm tonight.
Their unions voted to reject the Government’s 5% pay offer.
A&E and cancer staff are joining the walkouts for the first time, with unprecedented disruption expected for patients.
Royal College of Nursing general secretary Pat Cullen hit back at Tory claims that the strikes were putting people at risk.
She confirmed yesterday that nurses can be called in to offer minimal staffing in emergency and intensive care, after talks over the weekend to allow exemptions to protect “life and limb” services.
She said: “Why are nurses going on strike? They’re going on strike because patients’ lives are being put at risk every day, and why? Because we have tens of thousands of vacant nursing posts.”
In a message to NHS bosses, Ms Cullen added: “None of those people, I believe, have walked in the shoes of our nursing staff.
“It’s interesting that they’ve come today to talk about the risk that’s posed as a result of our nurses taking strike action, for the very reason that I’ve said, because of the crisis within the health service.
"And I would ask them, for those other 364 days of the year – speak up for their nursing staff, tell what risk they are carrying every single day.”
The BMA is asking doctors to show solidarity by visiting picket lines with snacks or drinks.
Labour leader Keir Starmer urged ministers to hold talks. He said: “The way to avoid strikes is to get in the room with the nurses and resolve these issues.”
Dame Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, said: “We are grateful to the RCN for agreeing a process of safety critical mitigations.
"The industrial action will still have a very significant impact on services and patients can expect to see longer waits.”
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: “I think this strike is premature and disrespectful to those trade unions that will be meeting on Tuesday.
