Nearly 400 nursing and midwifery graduates left without NHS Wales jobs after summer matching process
More than a third of newly qualified nurses, midwives and operating department practitioners in Wales have been left without an NHS job after completing their training this summer, as the Royal College of Nursing calls on the Welsh Government to intervene urgently.
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) confirmed on 25 June that 383 graduates remain unmatched to Band 5 posts following the initial phase of Student Streamlining Summer 2026, the national process used to place final-year students into NHS Wales roles. Of those, 306 are nursing graduates.
A total of 1,086 graduates went through the matching process. Of those, 703 were placed. The remaining 383 — 35 per cent of the total — were not.
The RCN said 131 NHS Wales nursing vacancies went unmatched to graduates during the same process, putting the net shortfall of nursing posts at around 175.
Nicola Williams, Executive Director of Nursing at RCN Wales, said:
“We are deeply concerned that around 175 newly registered nurses in Wales could be left without a job when they graduate. These are highly skilled professionals who are ready to work, support patients and strengthen our NHS.”
HEIW said improved staff retention in recent years has meant fewer vacancies have arisen than expected. Financial pressure on health boards has reduced the number of Band 5 posts available this year.
The RCN said the situation is causing significant anxiety and financial concern for affected graduates, many of whom cannot plan their futures or meet basic living costs. It called on the Welsh Government to introduce a graduate guarantee, ensure greater transparency on workforce planning, and take coordinated action across Welsh Government, HEIW and NHS organisations.
Ms Williams said: “At a time when we are spending large amounts on temporary staffing, our members continue to tell us of the significant pressures they face every day, with increasing demand and insufficient staff, we cannot justify a position where newly qualified nurses are unable to secure employment.”
NHS Wales health boards continue to rely heavily on bank and agency staffing to fill gaps, the RCN said, while newly trained nurses face limited opportunities for permanent employment.
The figures land days after Welsh Conservative MSs raised the nursing graduate employment crisis on the floor of the Senedd. During a debate on hospital services on Tuesday, Darren Millar MS told the Senedd that almost a third of nursing graduates in Wales cannot find a position in the Welsh NHS. The HEIW figures put the proportion higher — 35 per cent across nursing, midwifery and operating department practitioners combined.
Mr Millar, who represents Bangor Conwy Môn, also told the Senedd that a recruitment freeze has been placed on newly trained paramedics in Wales.
Cabinet Minister for Health and Care Mabon ap Gwynfor convened a Graduate Employment Summit earlier this month, bringing together NHS Wales organisations, Welsh Government, universities and professional bodies to consider the position. The RCN attended and said the summit demonstrated willingness to act, but that delivery is now needed.
HEIW chief executive Alex Howells said: “These graduates represent an important part of the future NHS Wales workforce and we remain committed to supporting their future careers. Alongside supporting those affected by the current position, partners will also be working together to strengthen workforce planning and improve opportunities for future cohorts of nursing, midwifery and Operating Department Practitioner students across Wales.”
Graduates who were not matched in the initial phase have been given information on wellbeing support, professional registration, bursary arrangements and employment opportunities inside and outside NHS Wales. All unmatched graduates will receive a further update during the week of 24 August.
Ms Williams said: “We have a cohort of dedicated, motivated nurses ready to contribute. Wales needs nurses and we must not allow these talented nurses to be lost to the profession.”
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