Aim: To examine how personality and attitudes to sick leave influence nurses self-reported rates of absenteeism and presenteeism.

Background: Despite the significant economic cost and negative impact of absenteeism and presenteeism in health care, there has been limited research looking at personality (using the five-factor model) and absenteeism and presenteeism in nurses.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of 320 nurses.

Results: Low emotional stability was significantly associated with higher presenteeism. Shift work predicted more absenteeism, whereas those who believed that a culture of entitlement to sick leave existed in the health service were less likely to be absent from work. Increased work-related stress was also a significant predictor of presenteeism.

Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the role of personality, stress and attitudes in nurses' decision to be absent or present at work when they are sick.

Implications for nursing management: Nurses are the largest workforce in health care settings. Reducing absenteeism and presenteeism in nursing through a greater understanding of the influencing factors will limit the economic impacts of this behaviour and improve patient safety.