The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) recently released its latest annual report between April 2023 and March 2024. This report, which compiles data on nurses, midwives, and nursing associates in the UK, provides a wealth of insights into the state of the workforce, revealing notable trends and challenges. Let’s explore some of the key findings from the report and examine what they mean for the future of healthcare.
The NMC register now boasts a record 826,418 registered professionals. This includes nurses, midwives, and nursing associates—a number that has grown by 37,723 (4.8%) since last year. In a broader context, this figure represents an 18.4% increase compared to five years ago. The uptick is encouraging, particularly given the growing demand for healthcare services and ongoing workforce pressures.
Interestingly, the report highlights the closure of the COVID-19 temporary register, which had been set up in March 2020 to help manage the pandemic. While 2,533 professionals from the temporary register transitioned to the permanent register, the closure marks a significant milestone in the post-pandemic recovery phase.
One of the most striking findings from the report is the nearly equal split between UK-educated and internationally-educated professionals joining the register. In the last year alone, 59,991 professionals joined the register, with 30,363 from the UK and 29,628 from abroad. The report noted a particularly sharp rise in international joiners, with a year-on-year increase of 18%, largely driven by professionals from India, who accounted for almost half (14,615) of the international joiners.
While international recruitment is crucial for bolstering the UK workforce, the report also emphasises the need to adhere to ethical recruitment practices, especially with professionals from ‘red list’ countries. The NMC reminds employers to follow ethical recruitment codes to ensure that global health equity is upheld.
The NMC report illustrates ongoing shifts in the demographic makeup of the nursing and midwifery workforce. Male professionals, for example, now make up 11.1% of the total register—a slight increase from 10.7% in 2019. However, the proportion of UK-educated male joiners has been declining, standing at just 4.7% compared to 7.1% in 2019. By contrast, internationally educated male professionals are joining in greater numbers, with the figure rising to 7.8% from 5% over the same period.
Moreover, the ethnic diversity of the workforce continues to evolve. Of the new UK-educated joiners, almost a third (29.4%) are from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds. Overall, professionals from these backgrounds now constitute 30.6% of the entire register, a significant increase from 19.8% in 2019.
Despite the rising number of joiners, the report shows that 27,168 professionals left the register in the past year. While this number represents a slight increase (1.5%) from last year, it’s important to note that the proportion of leavers relative to the total register has been steadily decreasing—from 4.2% in 2018-2019 to 3.4% in the most recent year.
However, there’s a concerning trend emerging: a growing number of professionals are leaving earlier in their careers. Of those who left in the past year, 20.3% did so within the first ten years of joining the profession, compared to 18.8% in 2020-2021. The report points out that nearly half of those who left (49%) did so earlier than expected, citing reasons such as poor physical and mental health, with burnout being a major factor.
The NMC’s findings highlight both positive growth and concerning trends. The increasing number of internationally educated joiners and the overall growth in the workforce are encouraging, especially as the healthcare sector faces increasing demand. However, the rise in early-career leavers is troubling, particularly in the context of burnout and mental health challenges.
The NMC stresses the importance of long-term strategies to retain professionals. Initiatives like preceptorship, which provides structured support for newly registered and internationally educated professionals, are vital for ensuring that the workforce is skilled, confident, and able to provide safe, effective care. Furthermore, addressing inequalities in the workplace—whether related to gender, ethnicity, or disability—is critical for improving the experience of professionals and patients alike.
The latest NMC register report paints a complex but hopeful picture of the nursing and midwifery workforce in the UK. Record numbers of professionals, rising diversity, and increased international recruitment are clear positives, but challenges remain, particularly around retention and workplace well-being.
As the NMC continues to gather and share data, this report provides a valuable tool for healthcare providers, policymakers, and employers to address workforce challenges and improve the working environment for nursing and midwifery professionals. By focusing on creating a supportive, inclusive, and resilient healthcare workforce, the UK can continue to provide safe and compassionate care for all.
To view the full report, click here
