The RCN says the Westminster government’s graduate guarantee measures are a testament to the determination of RCN student members, who’ve led the way in calling for certainty and clarity on jobs for newly registered nurses (NRNs).  

Now, after student members raised the alarm about a jobs crisis, new measures are set to tackle graduates’ concerns around job availability in England. In some areas, there are up to three times as many graduates as there are vacancies, according to the government.  

With student members, we’ve been lobbying UK governments to ensure there are enough jobs available for NRNs this year and to identify sustainable long-term solutions for future years. We’ve also surveyed final-year students to gain an understanding of recruitment issues and been in conversation with England’s Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Duncan Burton, as well as CNOs in trusts around the country and NHS England (NHSE) colleagues.  

Nursing students are the future of the profession and workforce; they’re critical to health and care services and patient safety. 

The government says the guarantee will ensure thousands of new posts are easier to access by removing barriers for trusts, creating opportunities for graduates and ensuring a seamless transition from training to employment.

It also says NHS providers will begin recruiting NRNs and midwives before vacancies formally arise, with trusts supported to employ staff based on projected need rather than headcount, ensuring the NHS has the right number of staff to provide the best possible care to patients everywhere. 

Additionally, every NRN and midwife will get access to an online hub with important information and advice for those applying for roles, the government says.  

We believe that NHSE and the Department of Health and Social Care must set out clear plans for monitoring to ensure that this pledge is upheld. 

RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said: “Our student members have led the way in calling for ministers and health care leaders to provide certainty and clarity on jobs. This announcement is welcome news that should provide hope to students as they come towards the end of their education and training. 

“When the health service urgently needs nursing staff, it's absurd to leave people in limbo. The test of this will be if students can find jobs, vacant posts are filled, and patients receive the care they deserve. 

“Ministers have to continue listening to nursing staff who are crying out to have their critical work valued, this action takes us all a little closer.”  

We will continue to monitor the impact of the measures closely.