Hundreds of graduates in Wales could be left without jobs, warns RCN

Hundreds of nursing graduates in Wales could be left without jobs amid a shortage of Band 5 posts, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned.

According to information obtained by RCN Wales, a shortage of roles for newly registered nurses across the country means up to half of this year’s graduate nursing students – around 600 – could be left without a job to go to.

The union has now called for urgent clarity of the scale of the shortfall of Band 5 roles, as well as for credible, long-term workforce planning, and immediate, system-wide solutions to recruit, retain and deploy the nursing workforce in Wales.

Professor Sandy Harding, associate director of nursing for RCN Wales, said: ‘The situation facing newly registered nurses is deeply concerning and exposes serious failures in workforce planning.

Related Article: Nursing in Practice takes general practice nurse pay concerns to Parliament

‘It is becoming increasingly clear that this situation is being driven by financial constraints, including the freezing of vacant posts within the local health boards.

‘Our NHS is under intense pressure, yet hundreds of newly qualified nurses may have no posts to enter.

‘This is simply unacceptable. These students stepped forward for Wales, trained through immense challenges, and now face uncertainty at the very moment the system needs them most.

‘They deserve far better. Every newly qualified nurse will be vital to meeting Wales’s care needs.’

She added: ‘The RCN will continue to demand transparency, accountability and long-term planning from the system.

‘We will not stop speaking up for students, for our safety critical nursing workforce, and for the people who rely on safe, high-quality care.’

Related Article: NHSE sets out instructions for trusts on Band 5 nurse role review

Rhian, a third-year student from south Wales, added: ‘As students nearing qualification, we’ve committed years of time, training and financial sacrifice with the expectation of entering the NHS workforce upon completion.

‘It’s deeply concerning that many of us are now facing the possibility of being left without a job, despite ongoing pressures and the clear need for more nurses and midwives to support patient care.’

RCN Wales has confirmed that newly registered nurses will not be penalised where posts are unavailable, including being released from any work‑in‑Wales obligations and not being required to repay tuition fee support when workforce shortages prevent them from securing employment.

The news comes after it was revealed in the NHS Pay Review (PRB) report, published in February, that graduate nurses are being put on job waiting lists despite government promises to provide more roles for newly registered nurses and midwives.

Related Article: NMC unveils ‘anti-racism’ principles for nursing practice and education

The report revealed that the transition into employment was ‘variable’ and ‘inconsistent’ for newly registered nurses.

However, it follows the government announcement in August last year of the ‘Graduate Guarantee’ scheme which pledged to provide more jobs for newly registered nurses and midwives in England.