The government has announced that thousands of new jobs for newly qualified nurses and midwives will be unlocked across the healthcare sector.
The new Graduate Guarantee will ensure thousands of new posts are easier to access by removing barriers for trusts, creating a wealth of opportunities for graduates and ensuring a seamless transition from training to employment.
The newly announced measures aim to tackle concerns graduates have about job availability, with record numbers of people choosing to study nursing during the pandemic and fewer nurses and midwives leaving the profession.
In some areas, there are up to three times as many graduates as there are vacancies.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said: "It is absurd that we are training thousands of nurses and midwives every year, only to leave them without a job before their career has started.
"No one who dedicates themselves to a nursing or midwifery career should be left in limbo, when their skills are so urgently needed in the effort to rebuild our NHS
"I am sending a clear message to every newly qualified nurse and midwife We’re here to support you from day one so you can provide the best care for patients and cut waiting lists. This new guarantee will benefit nurses, midwives and patients, helping to build an NHS fit for the future as part of our Plan for Change."
Chief Nursing Officer for England, Duncan Burton, said: "Having been a student nurse, I know how important it is to feel supported, valued, and able to get on with the job you have trained so hard to do.
"Every nurse and midwife deserves the guarantee of a job to apply for when they graduate, so we’re unlocking more opportunities right across health and care and providing refreshed online advice and support with applications to help ensure a smooth transition into employment.
"We have more nurses and midwives than ever before choosing to stay working in the NHS, which is fantastic for patients, but we must ensure our newest graduates get the same opportunity to put their skills and passion to use without frustrating delays."
