Almost half of those joining the profession have come from outside the UK.
The number of internationally trained nurses working in the UK is increasing rapidly.
New figures published by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) reveal around 24,000 internationally trained nurses joined the profession for the first time between September 2021 and September 2022.
This is an increase of more than 30% on the previous year and just under five times the number joining pre-pandemic.
Most of those joining the register are educated in India, the Philippines and Nigeria.
While international nurses make an important contribution to the workforce, the news comes amid concerns the UK is becoming too overdependent on an overseas workforce, the ethical implications of importing professionals and failing to train enough home-grown nurses.
A very busy and challenging winter.
Andrea Sutcliffe, NMC Chief Executive and Registrar said: “As we face a very busy and challenging winter this may be a particularly anxious time for almost 24,000 professionals who have joined the register since April, nearly half of whom have come from outside the UK.”
Mr Sutcliffe continues, “Going forward, it’s also essential for all employers and agencies in health and social care to follow the Department of Health and Social Care’s code of practice on ethical recruitment. While recruitment isn’t permitted from ‘red list’ countries, there are two, Nigeria and Ghana, in the ten most common countries of training for international professionals joining our register.
Before finally adding, “All international joiners make a welcome and valuable contribution to our nation’s health and wellbeing, and those who come must be fully supported. But It’s essential the UK doesn’t exacerbate workforce shortages and put health systems in other countries at further risk in seeking to address rising demand for health and care services here.”
