Responding to the latest NMC register data, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, said:
“The loss of 25,000 registered nurses last year is being felt profoundly by both patients and nurses alike.
“When we have tens of thousands of vacant nurse jobs, a sharp rise in leavers should not be overlooked while we welcome new recruits. Ministers should avoid overclaiming today - nursing staff tell us these shortages are biting more than ever.
“With an imminent government decision on NHS pay and the pay review body reports due this month, these figures are a reminder of the scale of the challenge and why radical action is needed to boost the nursing workforce.
“We again question how sustainable it is to recruit half of all new nurses from around the world. The UK’s health and care workforce is proudly diverse, but it must be done ethically and come at the same time as increased investment in education and domestic workers.
“In the interests of safe patient care, ministers across the UK must act decisively to retain today’s experienced nurses and inspire tomorrow’s.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
Latest data from the NMC shows
There has been an increase in the number of nurses leaving the register with 25,000 leaving in the last year.
This is an increase of 13% on the previous year and the first time the number of leavers has increased after 4 years of a decline in leavers.
The data also shows a rise in people joining the register – 43,417 newly registered nurses compared to 29,589 in 2021.
Of the new joiners almost half had trained overseas.