Responding to the latest NMC register data, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, said:
“These figures bear out our concerns over the failure to retain experienced staff. Thousands of nurses are leaving the profession early citing burnout, physical or mental health, and concerns about the quality of people’s care.
“With half of all new starters coming from overseas, it is clear the government's failure to deliver a domestic workforce plan is hitting home. While internationally educated nursing staff are a vital and valued part of the NHS, the overreliance on staff from overseas, including those countries with shortages of their own, is not sustainable.
“When the workforce plan for England finally comes it must tackle these issues head on.”
Ends
Notes to editors
The NMC register 1 April 2022 - 31 March 2023
The number of professionals whose initial registration was outside the UK increased from 142,432 to 164,198 - an increase of 21,766 (15.3%).
26,755 professionals left the NMC register in the 12 months to March 2023.
Five compounding factors were cited frequently in people’s decisions to leave:
• burnout or exhaustion
• lack of support from colleagues
• concerns about the quality of people’s care
• workload
• staffing levels.
