One in three newly registered midwives unable to secure a job

Almost one in three newly registered midwives have been unable to find employment despite ‘chronic staffing shortages’, a new survey has suggested.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) surveyed 312 graduate midwives at the end of last year and among the respondents who have received their Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) PIN, some 31% had not secured a position.

Among those unable to secure a midwifery post, 61% said they were not working at all, while others reported accepting roles in retail or hospitality, office-based work, cleaning jobs and prison services.

The news comes after the RCM reported ‘chronic staffing shortages’ in maternity services at the start of the year with midwives reporting they were ‘exhausted and overstretched’.

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It was also revealed in the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) report, published earlier this month, that some graduate nurses are being put on job waiting lists with the transition into employment being ‘variable’ and ‘inconsistent’ for newly registered nurses.

This is despite government promises for new roles for graduate nurses and midwives under its ‘Graduate Guarantee’ scheme which planned to convert existing healthcare assistant vacancies into registered nurse posts and vacant maternity support worker posts into Band 5 registered midwifery roles.

However, staff and management across different NHS trusts have reported that the scheme was operating ‘differently’ and being ‘influenced’ by financial positions, according to the PRB report.

Fiona Gibb, director of midwifery at the RCM, said its latest survey were ‘deeply worrying’ and warned that graduates were being ‘failed’.

‘It is troubling that newly qualified midwives, who have worked hard and are ready to contribute to care, are being left unemployed, working in non-clinical roles or trapped in insecure jobs,’ she said.

‘This uncertainty is having a serious impact on graduates’ wellbeing, with many experiencing anxiety, stress and loss of confidence at the very start of their careers.’

Of the respondents who had secured midwifery roles, many reported ‘less than ideal conditions’ – including 55% being on fixed-term rather than permanent contracts, raising concerns about job security and retention, and 53% only working part-time.

One quarter said they were not working the hours they had hoped for, which impacts on their earning potential.

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The RCM said its findings highlight a ‘disconnect between the number of midwives being educated and the number of secure, sustainable roles available to them’.

The college is now urging the government and NHS employers to address these concerns, warning that ongoing recruitment freezes and financial constraints risk ‘pushing graduates out of the profession before they have even started their careers’.

Ms Gibb said: ‘For years, the RCM has warned that maternity services are operating without enough midwives to provide consistently safe, personalised care.

‘Yet this survey shows newly qualified midwives, registered and ready to work, are being left without jobs.

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‘The government needs to urgently invest in permanent posts so newly qualified midwives can enter the profession and help deliver the safe care that maternity services urgently need.’

Ms Gibb added: ‘At a time when maternity services are struggling with staff shortages, we should be doing everything we can to bring these newly qualified professionals into the workforce.

‘Instead, they are being failed which is undermining the future maternity workforce we so desperately need.’