Concerns Dargaville Hospital nurses could leave the industry - if current staffing drags on

They've downed tools for an hour this afternoon - protesting having no overnight doctor.

Since July the hospital's used nurses and a telehealth service for most overnight shifts, transferring the sickest patients to Whangarei.

Nurses Organisation spokesperson Rachyl Randell says no-one's resigned yet.

She says she wouldn't be surprised if some do - if Health New Zealand expects them to continue without an overnight doctor.