New plan to ‘guarantee’ more jobs for newly qualified nurses

Measures to make it easier for NHS employers to hire newly qualified nurses and midwives in England have been announced by the government.

A ‘Graduate Guarantee’ for nursing and midwifery aims to ensure new job posts are easier to access by ‘removing barriers’ for NHS trusts and delivering ‘seamless transition’ from training to employment.

In the plan, NHS providers will begin recruiting newly qualified nurses and midwives before vacancies formally arise, with trusts being supported to employ staff based on ‘projected need’ rather than headcount.

Newly qualified nurses and midwives will be given additional support when applying for roles. An online hub will share information and advice on applying for different roles.

‘Thousands’ of new jobs will be ‘unlocked’ across the healthcare sector said a statement from the government, which promised a ‘comprehensive package of reform’ and see healthcare professionals being deployed across a variety of sectors.

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It is as yet unclear whether or not new funding for the initiative will be available.

Health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting, said: ‘It is absurd that we are training thousands of nurses and midwives every year, only to leave them without a job before their career has started.

‘I am sending a clear message to every newly qualified nurse and midwife. We’re here to support you from day one so you can provide the best care for patients and cut waiting lists.’

Nursing in Practice has previously reported on the struggle many newly qualified nurses face when applying for work, with some looking for non-nursing posts before they’ve received their pin because there are ‘no jobs’ when they graduate.

The package follows collaboration with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in an effort to address the crisis.

RCN general secretary and chief executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, said: ‘When the health service urgently needs nursing staff, it was absurd to leave people in limbo. The test of this will be if students can find jobs, vacant posts are filled, and patients receive the care they deserve.

‘Ministers have to continue listening to nursing staff who are crying out to have their critical work valued, today’s action takes us all a little closer.’

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The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for England, Duncan Burton, said that ‘every nurse and midwife deserves the guarantee of a job once they graduate’.

‘We have more nurses and midwives than ever before choosing to stay working in the NHS, which is fantastic for patients, but we must ensure our newest graduates get the same opportunity to put their skills and passion to use without frustrating delays,’ Mr Burton said.

New measures will also see some midwifery support worker posts be temporarily converted to band 5 midwifery roles to create job openings for graduates.

Paul Rees, chief executive and registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) said trained professionals should be able to move into jobs ‘quickly’ after they complete their studies.

‘This is critically important at a time of rising demand for health and social care. We will continue working to place all new graduates on our register quickly and safely, so they can begin their roles at the earliest opportunity,’ Mr Rees said.

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The RCN has demanded talks with ministers over pay after a recent ballot saw members reject the proposed 3.6% pay award, with future strike action now on the cards.

Earlier this year, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) warned that the global nursing workforce is ‘in the midst of an unprecedented crisis’ with two-thirds of countries struggling to provide a safe environment for patient care due to nursing shortages.

Nursing in Practice has asked government for more information on how the package will be funded. Updates to follow.