The Royal College of Nursing has raised urgent concerns about the lack of vacancies within Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBUHB), following direct correspondence from final-year nursing students.
65 adult nursing students who qualify in March 26 currently have no jobs to apply for in the health board. This revelation comes despite students completing more than two-thirds of their courses in Swansea Bay hospitals.
Helen Whyley, Executive Director of RCN Wales, said: “These students have studied locally, contributed to patient care, and were assured that their skills would be in demand. The lack of posts feels like a slap in the face and risks damaging morale at a critical point in their careers as well as destabilising future recruitment into nursing.”
We are working closely with Swansea University and seeking urgent clarification from Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), SBUHB, and Welsh Government for our effected student members and to find workable solutions. It is becoming increasingly clear that this situation is being driven by financial constraints, including the freezing of vacant posts within the health board. This is deeply concerning and requires immediate, coordinated action between the health board and the government to find sustainable resolution.”
“RCN Wales is committed to supporting students by raising concerns and seeking interim solutions, this alone is not enough. The glaring contradiction between the urgent calls to address nursing shortages and the lack of meaningful opportunities for newly qualified nurses demands immediate action. If we are serious about safeguarding the future of our healthcare system, this disconnect must be resolved — not eventually, but now!”
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Notes to editors
RCN Wales is calling for:
• Immediate review of workforce planning and job availability.
• Assurance that bursary conditions will not penalise students due to system-level failures.
• A coordinated response from Welsh Government, HEIW, and Health Boards to ensure fair and equitable access to employment for newly qualified nurses.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK, including around 30,500 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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