Completing your nursing or midwifery training is a huge achievement, the culmination of years of study, placements, and personal commitment. Yet for many, the joy of qualifying is quickly tempered by a nagging worry: will there be a job waiting?
The Government’s new Graduate Guarantee aims to remove that uncertainty. Here’s what it means, why it matters to the sector, and how LSW Care Solutions can help employers make the most of it.
What’s Changing and Why It Matters
In recent years, more people than ever have entered nursing and midwifery training. With improved retention, experienced staff are staying in post for longer. That’s good news for patients, but in some areas, it has left up to three times as many graduates as there are vacancies, a frustrating imbalance.
The Graduate Guarantee is designed to fix that, offering:
- Thousands of new posts across the NHS in England, so every newly qualified nurse and midwife has a genuine opportunity to secure employment.
- Proactive recruitment, where NHS trusts hire based on projected need instead of waiting for formal vacancies to open.
- An online ‘student hub’ offering clear, practical advice on applications, interviews, and starting work.
- An £8 million investment to temporarily convert maternity support worker posts into Band 5 midwifery roles, creating more entry-level opportunities for new midwives.
Voices That Matter
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care:
“It is absurd that we are training thousands of nurses and midwives every year, only to leave them without a job before their career has started… I am sending a clear message to every newly qualified nurse and midwife: we’re here to support you from day one.”
Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England:
“Having been a student nurse, I know how important it is to feel supported, valued… Every nurse and midwife deserves the guarantee of a job to apply for when they graduate.”
Professor Nicola Ranger, Royal College of Nursing:
“Our student members have led the way in calling for ministers and healthcare leaders to provide certainty and clarity on jobs… When the health service urgently needs nursing staff, it was absurd to leave people in limbo.”
Paul Rees, Nursing and Midwifery Council:
“A guaranteed opportunity for a role after years of hard work in education is excellent news… We would particularly call on employers to ensure that… ‘preceptorship’ programmes… welcome and integrate newly registered professionals.”
These statements make it clear: the Graduate Guarantee is welcome news, but its success depends on effective implementation and proper support for graduates.
What It Means for You and Your Organisation
- For newly qualified nurses and midwives: it means a clear path from graduation into work — no more lengthy waits or uncertainty.
- For NHS employers: it’s a chance to secure motivated, well-trained professionals before positions are advertised more widely. That helps with planning, reduces reliance on agency staff, and strengthens teams.
Top Tips for Graduates Entering Their First NHS Role
- Use the Student Hub
The new NHS online hub is there to guide you through applications, interviews, and induction. Make it your first stop. - Understand Preceptorship
Your first months as a registered professional should be supported by a formal preceptorship programme. Read the NMC’s preceptorship principles so you know what’s involved and what good practice looks like. - Stay Open to Location and Specialism
The perfect job might be in a neighbouring trust or a slightly different field than you expected. Flexibility now can open doors later. - Leverage University Resources
Many universities continue to offer career support to alumni, including CV reviews and mock interviews. It’s worth asking what’s available. - Find a Mentor
A mentor can offer guidance, reassurance, and perspective in your first year. You could explore:
- Your NHS Trust or employer’s mentorship programme – ask HR or your line manager if one exists.
- Royal College of Nursing Mentorship Schemes – offers resources and guidance for finding or becoming a mentor.
- NHS England Coaching and Mentoring Directory – searchable list of registered mentors and coaches within the NHS.
- Florence Nightingale Foundation Mentoring Programme – specialist leadership and professional mentoring for nurses and midwives.
Top Tips for Employers Welcoming Newly Qualified Staff
- Invest in a Strong Preceptorship Programme
It’s vital for retention and confidence. Make sure it’s well-structured and that preceptors are trained for the role. - Plan Ahead
Work with your workforce planners to forecast vacancies and recruit proactively under the Graduate Guarantee. - Create a Supportive Culture
Encourage questions, value learning, and make new staff feel part of the team from day one. - Use Buddy Systems
Pairing graduates with experienced colleagues can ease the transition and reduce early stress. - Give Regular, Constructive Feedback
Early guidance helps new staff grow in confidence and prevents avoidable errors.
Handy Resources for Graduates and Employers
For Graduates
- NHS England’s Student Hub – job listings, application tips, and interview prep.
- RCN ‘Starting Out’ resources – support for newly registered nurses.
- NMC Preceptorship Principles – what effective early-career support should look like.
For Employers
- NMC Preceptorship Guidance – integrating new registrants effectively.
- NHS Provider Letter on Graduate Guarantee – expectations for proactive recruitment.
- RCM Guidance – supporting new midwives in practice.
How LSW Can Support
- Onboarding and Induction Support – helping providers create structured, compliant programmes that set new staff up for success.
- Employer Coaching – working with trusts and care providers to embed proactive recruitment and workforce planning aligned to the Graduate Guarantee.
- Mentorship Development – helping organisations establish sustainable internal mentor and buddy systems that boost retention and confidence.
Final Thoughts
The Graduate Guarantee is more than a government pledge. It is a tangible step towards turning years of training into meaningful careers without delay. For employers, it offers a structured way to secure new talent and strengthen services.
Its real success will depend on how organisations prepare for and support these new recruits. At LSW Care Solutions, we work with providers to make that transition as smooth, confident, and productive as possible.
If you’d like to explore how we can help your organisation benefit from the Graduate Guarantee, contact us directly.