Newly qualified nurses in UK working in pubs, bars, shops as not getting jobs in hospitals despite shortages

LONDON Sept 25: Newly qualified nurses across the UK are struggling to find jobs despite severe staffing shortages in hospitals, leaving many considering temporary work in pubs, bars, or nannying, Daily Mail reported.

The paradox, described as a “newly registered nurse jobs crisis,” has raised concerns about wasted talent, red tape, and barriers to entry that prevent graduates from filling the 34,000 vacancies across the NHS.

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) reported about the crisis in an article in July 2025 titled “Newly registered nurse jobs crisis: ‘Use us or lose us’. RCN says that they are already lobbying UK governments to ensure there are enough jobs available for newly registered nurses this year and to identify sustainable long-term solutions for future years.

Nursing in Practice reported in May 2025 that newly qualified nurses (NQNs) are choosing to work in coffee shops and look for non-nursing posts before they’ve received their pin because there are ‘no jobs’ available when they graduate.

The Issue
Many graduates are leaving nursing courses with no immediate employment opportunities, even though wards remain understaffed.

Data from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) shows 81% of nurses believe staffing levels are unsafe, with shortages in every setting.

Graduates are told jobs require previous experience, creating a cycle that leaves them unable to gain the necessary skills.

Graduate Struggles
Rachel White, 21, has applied in multiple cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Durham and Birmingham, but has not secured a role. She said she may resort to hospitality work to cover rent despite completing 48-hour hospital shifts during training.

Other new nurses describe placements where they were treated as “extra hands” rather than learners, and express frustration at the lack of job openings. Some are considering moving abroad to countries such as Australia for better opportunities.

University lecturers and the RCN have warned some students may face a year or more of job hunting before finding NHS work.

Contributing Factors
There were 4,000 more nurse and midwife graduates than vacancies last month, with some areas facing three times more graduates than jobs.

Bureaucratic barriers, underfunding, and a focus on hiring staff with experience are cited as reasons for the employment bottleneck.

Despite a record number of students training to become nurses, fewer staff are leaving the profession, reducing turnover and available posts.

Responses
Patricia Marquis, RCN Executive Director, said patients and the NHS cannot afford to lose newly qualified staff due to poor job prospects.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted it was “absurd” to train thousands of nurses only to leave them jobless and announced a “job boost” to reassure graduates.

The Department of Health launched a Graduate Guarantee, pledging to:

Remove hiring barriers for trusts

Allow recruitment of graduates before vacancies are officially posted

Ensure graduates transition smoothly into permanent employment