The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said no services will be exempt, meaning the strike will involve for the first time nursing staff working in emergency departments, intensive care units, cancer care and other services that previously were not involved.

The union has accused the government of refusing to engage in negotiations.

The strike will run continuously for 48 hours from 6am on 1 March.

A series of two-day strikes held by the RCN in December, January and earlier this month ran for 12 hours each time only during the day shift.

The RCN said it will reduce services to an "absolute minimum" and ask hospitals to rely on members of other unions and other clinical professions instead.

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'Choose talking over strike action'

RCN general secretary Pat Cullen told Sky News it was "with a very heavy heart" she was announcing the escalation.

"It is simply because we can find no resolution with this government," she said.

"What I'm saying to the prime minister today is please choose talking over strike action and saving the NHS is really important to every single nurse that I have written to today."

She said she would be "absolutely delighted" if Prime Minister Rishi Sunak or the government would sit down for talks.

"I will be there to represent the 100,000 plus nurses in England that will have to take part in this strike action in the beginning of March if this government continues to not get into a room and start to negotiate.

"So we will not be found wanting within the Royal College of Nursing to try and bring an end to the strike. We will do that on behalf of every single nurse and every patient that deserves better in this country."

The RCN initially demanded a pay increase of up to 19% to cover soaring inflation and falls in real term wages over the past decade, but last month Ms Cullen said it could accept a pay rise of around 10% to end the ongoing dispute.

The government has refused to re-open pay negotiations, saying it was right to stick to the recommendation of the independent pay review body of around 4% when public finances are struggling.

Escalation 'will risk patient safety'

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: "Failure to provide cover during strike action for key services like cancer care is a significant escalation from the Royal College of Nursing that will risk patient safety.

"We are working closely with NHS England on contingency plans, but this action will inevitably cause further disruption for patients.

"I've had a series of discussions with unions, including the RCN, about what is fair and affordable for the coming year, as well as wider concerns around conditions and workload."

Increased financial support

The union also announced the initial strike benefit rate will be increased from £50 to £80 per day, with the rate increasing to £120 from the fourth day of action.