NURSES in Wales called today for immediate Welsh government action as almost a third of newly qualified nurses will not get a job this year.

RCN Wales was calling for a graduate guarantee for newly qualified nurses in Wales as only 69 per cent of graduates this year are set to secure a job.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) announced that 809 roles will be made available across the NHS in Wales for nurses qualifying in Wales during the remainder of this year.

That means that only 69 per cent of nurses who have trained and been part of the NHS for the past three years will have a job within the NHS in Wales.

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales executive director Nicola Williams said: “We are calling on the new Welsh government for a graduate guarantee for all nursing students in Wales, to ensure a seamless transition from training to employment.

“When you look at the money being spent on agency nursing, for example, this cost could easily cover the outstanding roles for newly qualified nurses, which would lead to more consistent care and a sustainable career start for those wishing to care for the people of Wales.

“Our members are telling us that the NHS in Wales remains short-staffed in the areas that they work.”

The nursing union also said that there was a need for strategic workforce planning to ensure Wales has the right number of appropriately trained and skilled nurses in the workforce.

The RCN said it will be pushing for talks with the newly elected Plaid Cymru government to discuss this, and the Star asked the party to comment. The Welsh government, however, declined to comment until new ministers are appointed.