In the context of a global nursing workforce shortage, there is a responsibility for all countries, to increase and sustain a domestic supply of registered nurses. We would like to see concerted action from Scottish government to ensure nursing is an attractive career, in order to increase the number of people choosing to study nursing in Scotland, as well as retaining our experienced nursing staff.

International recruitment must be conducted fairly and ethically and government and employers across health and social care must enact policies which are aimed at ensuring internationally educated nurses and nursing support workers are valued and treated fairly. This must include a significant overhaul of the UK’s immigration system, which continues to make staff vulnerable to exploitative employment situations, restricts access to permanent settlement and social safety nets, and keeps families separated.