NMC welcomes guaranteed job opportunities for nursing and midwifery graduates

The government’s new Graduate Guarantee aims to help future nurses and midwives move into roles more quickly by removing barriers to recruitment, opening up opportunities across health and social care.

It will be important to ensure that every new nurse and midwife is able to make best use of their knowledge and skills in their new roles. Our research shows that those professionals who have a positive early experience in practice are more likely to stay in the professions for the long term.

That is why the NMC emphasises the importance of 'preceptorship’ programmes, which are designed to welcome and integrate newly registered professionals into their new team and place of work.

Our Principles for Preceptorship set out what high-quality programmes looks like – helping employers to provide structured support that gives professionals the confidence and competence they need to thrive.

Consistent implementation of these principles will support more new staff to integrate into their teams, grow in confidence, and begin their journeys as knowledgeable and skilled practitioners – providing safe and effective care that protects the public.

Paul Rees MBE, Chief Executive and Registrar, said:

“A guaranteed opportunity for a role after years of hard work in education is excellent news for future nursing and midwifery graduates.

“It means highly educated professionals can move into roles more quickly, utilising their skills and knowledge for the benefit of patients and communities. This is critically important at a time of rising demand for health and social care.

“We will continue working to place all new graduates on our register quickly and safely, so they can begin their roles at the earliest opportunity.”

He added:

“We would particularly call on employers to ensure that as the Graduate Guarantee is rolled out, they use 'preceptorship’ programmes, where possible, to welcome and integrate newly registered professionals into their new team and place of work.”

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