Over 250 nursing graduates secure NHS Wales positions following summit
Graduates from Aberystwyth and Bangor universities celebrate new roles
More than 250 nursing graduates have secured positions within NHS Wales, attributed to efforts following the Graduate Summit convened by Health and Care Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor in June.
This significant placement achievement involved collaboration between health boards, universities, Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP) and the Welsh Government.
Integral to this success was the Additional Allocation Phase, which facilitated graduate positioning across various NHS Wales posts.
While a further 28 graduates secured employment through alternate routes or are unavailable for work, there are enough vacancies to support remaining unallocated graduates in finding roles.
Efforts continue to match the remaining graduates with suitable opportunities.
Health and Care Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor visits Aberystwyth University on 19th October, celebrating the employment of all nursing graduates from Aberystwyth and Bangor into NHS Wales roles.
Significant advancements have been made across Welsh universities, driven by a collaborative approach to support graduates and ensure their skills benefit NHS Wales.
HEIW has coordinated an all-Wales response, setting the stage for future workforce planning and aligning education commissioning with service needs.
Before his visit to Aberystwyth, Mabon ap Gwynfor expressed satisfaction with the progress, acknowledging concerns of newly qualified healthcare professionals and highlighting the ongoing commitment to supporting graduates and retaining their skills within NHS Wales.
“It is great that all nursing graduates from Aberystwyth and Bangor universities have now secured employment, but this progress extends much more widely across Wales,” Gwynfor said.
Mirain Breese, an Aberystwyth University graduate, shared her pride in beginning her nursing career at Bronglais Hospital, highlighting the importance of studying locally and through the Welsh language.
She reflected on the challenges of balancing academic work, clinical placements, and family, noting the invaluable support received during her studies.
“Being able to study through the medium of Welsh, close to home, was so important to me.
To complete the course, qualify as a nurse, and secure a local job caring for patients in my own community is something I am immensely proud of,” said Breese.