4 | Nursing in Practice | Summer 2022
NEWS
All you need to know on current issues for nurses working in general practice and the community nursingin practice . co . uk
WORKFORCE
NMC issues warning as number of nurses leaving the register rises
The number of nurses , midwives and nursing associates registered to practise in the UK has grown , but so has the number of people leaving the register , the NMC has revealed .
The NMC annual report for 2021-22 showed the register of nurses , midwives and nursing associates grew by 26,403 to 758,303 – including almost 705,000 nurses , more than 40,000 midwives and nearly 7,000 nursing associates .
However , the number of people leaving the register also rose by 3,199 to 27,133 , an increase of 13 % on the year before . This brought an end to four consecutive annual falls in the number of leavers .
The most common reasons for leaving were retirement ( 43 %) and a change in personal circumstances ( 22 %). However , these were followed by too much pressure ( 18 %), poor workplace culture ( 13 %) and the influence of the pandemic ( 12 %).
The number of people joining the register for the first time also rose by
ONLINE Scan the QR code for daily news updates
13,919 to 48,436 , and almost half of first-time joiners trained outside the UK . Chief executive and registrar at the NMC Andrea Sutcliffe said : ‘ Our register is at the highest level ever . But a closer look at our data reveals warning signs .’
Ms Sutcliffe said a focus on retention as well as recruitment needed to be part of a sustainable workforce plan to meet rising demand . She also cautioned that workforce growth had become more reliant on staff trained overseas .
‘ These [ international ] professionals make a welcome and vital contribution to our nation ’ s health and wellbeing . But we can ’ t take them for granted ,’ she said .
RCN chief executive Pat Cullen also questioned the sustainability of recruiting half of all new nurses from overseas . ‘ The UK ’ s health and care workforce is proudly diverse , but it must be done ethically and at the same time as increased investment in education and domestic staff ,’ she said . See comment , page 18 .
In brief
NHS launches review into ‘ digital readiness ’ of nurses and midwives The NHS has launched a review to ensure the nursing and midwifery workforce is equipped to deal with future technological challenges .
Led by Dr Natasha Phillips , chief nursing information officer at NHS England , and international vice-chair Dr Jeanette Ives Erickson , the Phillips Ives Nursing & Midwifery Review will call on evidence from healthcare professionals from within the NHS and aboard , and take around a year to complete . For details on getting involved , go to bit . ly / 3NAJSSj . See comment , page 20
NMC to consider accepting employer English language references The NMC is considering accepting employer English language references as part of a proposed overhaul of requirements for overseas applicants , with a view to implementing any changes from October .
It plans to consult on three specific changes : the scores it accepts for language tests ; whether to accept evidence of non-registered practice in English supported by an employer reference or other evidence ; and whether to accept non-nursing or midwifery postgraduate qualifications taught and examined in English .