Nursing union ballots members on strikes for the first time in their history
It is the first time in the RCN's 106-year history that members in Scotland have been asked to consider such action.
Nursing leaders have said they had "no option" but to ask members to go out on strike for the first time in their union's 100-year history.
The Royal College of Nursing Scotland is balloting its members on industrial action, with chair Julie Lamberth urging staff to support a strike.
It is the first time in the union's 106-year history that members in Scotland have been asked to consider such action.
Ms Lamberth warned that without action, the situation facing nurses can only get worse.
"For years we have been overlooked and undervalued"
Speaking ahead of the ballot opening on Thursday, she said: "That we have got to this point is simply shocking, but we have been left with no option.
"For years we have been overlooked and undervalued. Expected to carry on regardless.
"Patient care is suffering, staffing levels are unsafe and members are facing a daily battle of how to feed their family, heat their homes and travel to their work.
"None of this is new, and as we head into another winter we know it's only going to get worse.
"This is our opportunity to take a stand, for our patients and our profession, to show the Scottish Government that they must act now, and is why I am urging members to vote in favour of strike action."
The trade union Unison is already balloting more than 50,000 health workers on strike action, while the Royal College of Midwives in Scotland opened its ballot last month.
Health Secretary doing "everything in his power" to prevent strikes
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has promised NHS staff he will make a "significantly improved" offer after the record 5% pay rise put forward by the Scottish Government was rejected.
Speaking on Wednesday, he said: "I will be doing everything in my power to prevent industrial action from taking place, which includes in our next meeting with trade unions coming forward with a significantly improved pay offer for them."
Colin Poolman, director of RCN Scotland, insisted nursing staff must be paid "fairly" for the "critical work" they do.
He said: "Nursing staff will always put patient safety first and our members will not take the decision to vote for strike action lightly.
"They have been forced into this position by the failure of the Scottish Government to address the nursing workforce crisis and to ensure nursing staff are paid fairly for the safety critical work that they do.
"Ministers must come back with a significantly improved offer that responds to our members' concerns."