Nurses getting ready to bend on pay

The Australian Nursing Federation has all but conceded its members will have to accept the state government's offer of a 3 per cent pay rise, rather than pursue a 10 per cent claim.

At a press conference on the way into the Industrial Relations Commission, ANF state secretary Janet Reah said it had become clear the government wasn't going to budge.

"We're still under discussions, but it's a probable point that we'll have to go back to the three (per cent) on the headline wages policy," she said.

"We're trying to make it up in other ways."

Nurses and midwives started out demanding a 5 per cent a year increase over two years before doubling their claim at a city rally last month.

Premier Mark McGowan has repeatedly said 3 per cent a year, plus a $3,000 cost-of-living bonus payment, was the final offer.

"Unfortuntately, because of the government's wages policy we are having to look at ways around the pay offer," Ms Reah said. "We would be willing to move."

If the pay rise component is resolved, nurse-to-patient ratios will remain the sticking point as the ANF members ramp up their industrial action heading into Christmas.

As of 3pm Wednesday, part-time workers will no longer commit to any overtime.

ANF chief executive Mark Olson said some members were keen to move straight to strike action.

He held up an esky containing food and drinks to demonstrate his union was prepared to stay at the IRC for as long as it takes to get a good deal.

Mr Olson said WA won't be able to recruit enough nurses until the ratio of one nurse to four patients was in place, as is in other states.