The NMC register of nurses, midwives and nursing associates has grown by 30,351 professionals to a record level of 788,638, annual NMC data has revealed.
The figure represents 1.2% of the estimated population and included a record 52,148 new joiners last year. Almost half of new joiners were internationally educated, with most from outside Europe. New joiners from the UK rose by 8.5% to more than 27,142.
Those joining the register from the UK are also becoming more ethnically diverse with almost a third of last year’s domestically educated joiners from Black and minority ethnic
backgrounds. The proportion of Black and minority ethnic registered professionals overall rose to 27.7%.
The number of professionals leaving the register has fallen slightly to just under 27,000. However, more than half of staff left sooner than planned, and most said they don’t intend on returning (including ‘younger leavers’). Burnout and concerns about quality of care heavily influenced decisions to leave, alongside workload, staffing levels, and a lack of support from colleagues.
‘While recruitment remains strong, there are clear warnings about the workplace pressures driving people away from the professions,’ said NMC chief Executive and registrar Andrea Sutcliffe. ‘Addressing those issues must be a collaborative effort aimed at improving staff wellbeing and retention, for the benefit of everyone using services.’
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