The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales is calling on the Welsh government to intervene urgently after student nurses due to graduate in September 2026 received their outcomes through the national recruitment scheme.
The RCN understands that, following the initial job-matching phase, 306 nursing graduates have not been allocated an NHS Wales post. However, there are 131 nursing vacancies that have not been matched to graduates which means the actual shortfall of jobs is close to 180 posts. RCN Wales hopes that these remaining vacancies can be matched with graduates, helping to reduce the gap before the recruitment process is complete.
RCN Wales knows the situation is causing significant anxiety, uncertainty and financial concern, with many students unable to plan their futures in Wales and worried about how they are going to house and feed their families. Wales very much needs the nurses we have trained as we cannot risk losing this talent in Wales or for the profession.
RCN Wales welcomed the opportunity to attend the Ministerial led graduate summit held last week, which brought together ministers, government officials and senior leaders from across Wales to focus on what actions can be taken across Wales to provide health care graduates with a job when graduating. Now is the time for the new Welsh government to act and ensure that these actions are delivered, ensuring that no nursing graduate is left without a job.
Nicola Williams, Executive Director of Nursing at RCN Wales, said: “We are deeply concerned that around 175 newly registered nurses in Wales could be left without a job when they graduate. These are highly skilled professionals who are ready to work, support patients and strengthen our NHS.
“We are calling on the Welsh government to intervene urgently as there are a number of solutions that can be put in place to provide each graduate with a job.
RCN Wales has highlighted the wider system pressures and contradictions, noting that NHS Wales continues to rely heavily on bank and agency staffing, while newly trained nurses face limited opportunities.
“We know the difference registered nurses make to patient outcomes and to improving the lives of people across Wales. At a time when we are spending large amounts on temporary staffing, our members continue to tell us of the significant pressures they face every day, with increasing demand and insufficient staff, we cannot justify a position where newly qualified nurses are unable to secure employment.
“The College is also warning that failure to act risks undermining efforts to transform health and social care services in Wales, particularly as policy shifts towards delivering more care in people’s homes and communities.
“If we are serious about transforming services, shifting care out of hospitals and building a sustainable workforce for the future, we must make full use of all of the nurses we are educating here in Wales.”
RCN Wales is calling for immediate action, including:
- urgent measures to maximise employment opportunities for newly qualified nurses using the actions described in the recent summit
- consideration of a graduate guarantee, ensuring a clear pathway into employment
- greater transparency on workforce planning and job availability
- coordinated action across Welsh Government, HEIW and NHS organisations.
The RCN is continuing to work with partners across the system and will be engaging directly with the Welsh government, ensuring that the concerns of our student members are represented and addressed.
Alongside national advocacy, RCN Wales is providing direct support to student members, including careers advice, financial guidance, and immigration support, and working to ensure that student voices are heard by decision-makers.
Nicola Williams added: “We have a cohort of dedicated, motivated nurses ready to contribute. Wales needs nurses and we must not allow these talented nurses to be lost to the profession.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
• The NHS Wales Streamlining process matches final-year nursing students to Band 5 roles.
• Students will receive outcomes on 25 June 2026.
• RCN Wales estimates that over 200 graduates may not secure roles in the initial phase.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK, including around 35,000 members in Wales. The RCN promotes the interests of nursing and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape health care policy.
For more information, contact the RCN Wales communications and media team on 02920 680 769 or mediawales@rcn.org.uk
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