Will the Welsh Government implement a graduate guarantee for newly qualified nurses during this Senedd term?
The Welsh Government recognises the importance of supporting newly qualified nurses to transition into employment and remain within NHS Wales.
Health Education and Improvement Wales work closely with NHS organisations to plan and commission training places based on workforce need, with the expectation that sufficient employment opportunities will be available for graduates. The NHS Wales Bursary Scheme also includes a requirement for eligible students to work in Wales for a period following graduation, supporting retention within the workforce.
We are aware of concerns raised about the availability and timing of posts for newly qualified nurses. We will convene a stakeholder summit in June to consider immediate actions to support graduates who have not yet secured a post and to identify longer-term measures to reduce the risk of this situation recurring. We continue to work with key stakeholders across the NHS, education sector and professional bodies to improve workforce planning, align education commissioning with service demand, and support smooth transition into employment.