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Nursing students in Scotland call for action to secure the future nursing workforce
Members of our Student Committee have written to Scotland's Chief Nursing Officer expressing serious concerns about support for nursing students and the growing uncertainty facing newly qualified nurses seeking employment in NHS Scotland.
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Despite ongoing staffing pressures and persistent nursing vacancies across health and social care services, some newly qualified nurses report difficulties in securing employment after graduation, raising concerns about workforce planning and the future sustainability of the profession.
RCN student members in Scotland are seeking clarification on the Scottish Government's commitment to introduce an NHS Job Guarantee, a pledge made in the SNP’s 2026 Scottish Parliament election manifesto, and have asked for details on how and when the policy will be implemented.
The letter points to evidence demonstrating the vital role registered nurses play in improving patient outcomes, as well as survey findings showing that many nursing staff believe staffing levels remain insufficient to meet patient needs safely.
Victor Omotayo Adedeji-Johnson, nursing Student and Scotland member of the RCN Student Committee said:
"Throughout our training, nursing students are repeatedly told that they will never be out of a job. Patients say it with confidence because they understand the crucial role nurses play and see the pressures facing our health services every day.
“However, this confidence does not always match the reality faced by a number of newly qualified nurses. Despite persistent levels of registered nurse vacancies within NHS Scotland, we continue to hear reports from fellow students that job opportunities are limited and that they are uncertain what the future holds.
“We are told to be flexible, but there must also be a commitment from health and social care leaders to invest in and employ the nursing workforce that Scotland clearly needs."
The committee has also raised concerns about the financial pressures faced by nursing students and recent graduates. While welcoming commitments to increase financial support, student representatives point out that inflation has significantly reduced the real-term value of the £10,000 nursing student bursary. Nursing students are also calling for a conclusion and recommendations from the long-awaited review of nursing student financial support and for action to strengthen support packages for future students.
The students say they remain committed to the profession but are seeking assurances that Scotland values and intends to retain the next generation of nurses.
Colin Poolman, Executive Director at RCN Scotland added:
"The public place enormous trust in nursing, but that trust cannot be taken for granted if members of the profession are losing faith in their own future within it.
“Nursing students are asking to be listened to, valued and given a real reason to stay.”
Scottish representatives of the RCN Student Committee have requested a meeting with Scotland's Chief Nursing Officer to discuss the challenges facing nursing students and newly qualified nurses, and to hear more about the Scottish Government's plans to support the profession and deliver on its workforce commitments.
RCN student members in Scotland are seeking clarification on the Scottish Government's commitment to introduce an NHS Job Guarantee, a pledge made in the SNP’s 2026 Scottish Parliament election manifesto, and have asked for details on how and when the policy will be implemented.
The letter points to evidence demonstrating the vital role registered nurses play in improving patient outcomes, as well as survey findings showing that many nursing staff believe staffing levels remain insufficient to meet patient needs safely.
Victor Omotayo Adedeji-Johnson, nursing Student and Scotland member of the RCN Student Committee said:
"Throughout our training, nursing students are repeatedly told that they will never be out of a job. Patients say it with confidence because they understand the crucial role nurses play and see the pressures facing our health services every day.
“However, this confidence does not always match the reality faced by a number of newly qualified nurses. Despite persistent levels of registered nurse vacancies within NHS Scotland, we continue to hear reports from fellow students that job opportunities are limited and that they are uncertain what the future holds.
“We are told to be flexible, but there must also be a commitment from health and social care leaders to invest in and employ the nursing workforce that Scotland clearly needs."
The committee has also raised concerns about the financial pressures faced by nursing students and recent graduates. While welcoming commitments to increase financial support, student representatives point out that inflation has significantly reduced the real-term value of the £10,000 nursing student bursary. Nursing students are also calling for a conclusion and recommendations from the long-awaited review of nursing student financial support and for action to strengthen support packages for future students.
The students say they remain committed to the profession but are seeking assurances that Scotland values and intends to retain the next generation of nurses.
Colin Poolman, Executive Director at RCN Scotland added:
"The public place enormous trust in nursing, but that trust cannot be taken for granted if members of the profession are losing faith in their own future within it.
“Nursing students are asking to be listened to, valued and given a real reason to stay.”
Scottish representatives of the RCN Student Committee have requested a meeting with Scotland's Chief Nursing Officer to discuss the challenges facing nursing students and newly qualified nurses, and to hear more about the Scottish Government's plans to support the profession and deliver on its workforce commitments.
