RCN report shows many nurses leave profession at start of their career

The report sets out the issues contributing to the poor retention of nursing staff and includes data from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), showing that many nurses are leaving the nursing profession in the UK in the early stages of their career.

‘Valuing Nursing in the UK – Staffing for Safe and Effective Care’, published today (13 February), reveals that nurses are leaving long before retirement age, due to stress, burnout, being unable to deliver the care they want, negative workplace culture, the COVID-19 pandemic and feeling that they are underpaid.

Commenting on the report, RCN Wales Director Helen Whyley said:

“Nurses in Wales are leaving, not just the NHS, but health and social care altogether. Our nursing staff want to nurse, but the mental strain the current conditions are having on the nursing profession is plain to see.

“The Welsh government has increased student nurse places year after year, but recent UCAS data shows these places are not being filled*. With over 3,000 registered nurse vacancies in the NHS in Wales alone – and less staff joining the profession – there is a desperate need for action to improve current conditions for nursing.

“The report cites several measures, including increasing nursing pay, opportunities for nurse leadership and career progression, which are vital for keeping young nurses in the profession. Supporting the nursing workforce throughout their careers is crucial for ensuring the NHS can deliver high quality and safe patient care.

“In ‘Retaining Nurses in the Profession: What Matters?’, a report published by RCN Wales last year, we explored what a national nurse retention strategy for NHS Wales could look like and I was pleased to see the Welsh government recognised the importance of retention and referenced our report in the recently published workforce implementation plan.

“However, whilst I welcome an all-NHS Wales approach at last, I am of the view that a ‘plan’ for retention will not suffice and that a clear NHS Wales retention policy for nursing is urgently needed. That retention policy must include the significant and substantial pay rise that our members have been calling for”.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The new RCN retention report, ‘Valuing Nursing in the UK’, is available online Valuing Nursing in the UK
‘Retaining Nurses’ in the Profession: What matters?’, is available to download here.

*Between 2022-23, applications to nursing courses in Wales fell by nearly a third (29%) – the highest fall in all UK nations. The UCAS dashboard and accompanying tables can be found on the UCAS website.

For more information, please contact the RCN Wales Communications team on 02920680769.