I know that many final-year students due to qualify in spring and summer 2026 are already thinking ahead about finding their first permanent nursing role – feeling excited about finishing their studies and receiving their NMC PIN. But for some students – especially in some regions in England – there are concerns already about being able to find a job next year.
We know that for some newly registered nurses in England, it took time for them to find their first permanent nursing role after graduating this summer – and for some who graduated earlier in the year, it has taken even longer. We knew we needed to act, and we spoke up loudly to employers, NHS England and the government to make sure that no newly registered nurse felt unable to pursue a career in nursing.
Since our student-led action in the summer, which led to the Graduate Guarantee for England, we’ve continued to gather evidence from our newly registered nurse members about their experiences job hunting, highlighting to NHS England when Band 5 roles were unsuitable for NRNs, and brought our members and NHS England together with England-wide and regional webinars to discuss challenges and opportunities together.
The most recent information we’ve gathered from our members, and through our discussions with health system leaders and universities, seems to suggest that this issue has lessened and most of our recently graduated nurses have now entered the workforce. So while it may have taken time, I want to reassure you that jobs have been found. And for those recent graduates who haven’t yet found a role – I want to encourage you to not give up. Keep applying for roles and you will find a job that’s right for you.
The delays that some nursing graduates have faced finding roles is not acceptable. But we’re confident that the pressure we’ve put on health system leaders has ensured a sharper focus on making sure that going forward, jobs are made available and NRNs are eligible to apply to the roles.
And we’ve continued to tell the Westminster government that they need to properly support student nurses – you are the workforce of tomorrow. You need to have financial support that allows you to thrive during your studies and loan forgiveness once you begin working to improve your experience and keep you in nursing.
Just this week we handed in our petition signed by thousands of you to HM Treasury calling for a UK review of financial support for nursing students ahead of the Budget on 26 November. And we’ll be submitting to the 10 Year Workforce plan for England consultation closing on Friday – within our submission we will reiterate our calls for student nurses to get the quality education and training they need, to deliver the everchanging and complex nursing needed for the future.
Securing your first permanent role may take time. It’s important to give yourself the best possible chance when opportunities do come up so you are as prepared as possible. We have lots of resources to support you on our website including tips for applying for jobs and how best to prepare for the interview process.
Your career in nursing is just beginning - it’s an exciting time. And the RCN will be there to support you, every step of the way.
We know that for some newly registered nurses in England, it took time for them to find their first permanent nursing role after graduating this summer – and for some who graduated earlier in the year, it has taken even longer. We knew we needed to act, and we spoke up loudly to employers, NHS England and the government to make sure that no newly registered nurse felt unable to pursue a career in nursing.
Since our student-led action in the summer, which led to the Graduate Guarantee for England, we’ve continued to gather evidence from our newly registered nurse members about their experiences job hunting, highlighting to NHS England when Band 5 roles were unsuitable for NRNs, and brought our members and NHS England together with England-wide and regional webinars to discuss challenges and opportunities together.
The most recent information we’ve gathered from our members, and through our discussions with health system leaders and universities, seems to suggest that this issue has lessened and most of our recently graduated nurses have now entered the workforce. So while it may have taken time, I want to reassure you that jobs have been found. And for those recent graduates who haven’t yet found a role – I want to encourage you to not give up. Keep applying for roles and you will find a job that’s right for you.
The delays that some nursing graduates have faced finding roles is not acceptable. But we’re confident that the pressure we’ve put on health system leaders has ensured a sharper focus on making sure that going forward, jobs are made available and NRNs are eligible to apply to the roles.
And we’ve continued to tell the Westminster government that they need to properly support student nurses – you are the workforce of tomorrow. You need to have financial support that allows you to thrive during your studies and loan forgiveness once you begin working to improve your experience and keep you in nursing.
Just this week we handed in our petition signed by thousands of you to HM Treasury calling for a UK review of financial support for nursing students ahead of the Budget on 26 November. And we’ll be submitting to the 10 Year Workforce plan for England consultation closing on Friday – within our submission we will reiterate our calls for student nurses to get the quality education and training they need, to deliver the everchanging and complex nursing needed for the future.
Securing your first permanent role may take time. It’s important to give yourself the best possible chance when opportunities do come up so you are as prepared as possible. We have lots of resources to support you on our website including tips for applying for jobs and how best to prepare for the interview process.
Your career in nursing is just beginning - it’s an exciting time. And the RCN will be there to support you, every step of the way.
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