Nursing students at Swansea University are facing renewed hope after the Swansea Bay University Health Board reversed its earlier decision regarding job availability for newly graduated nurses. Initially informed in October 2025 that there would be no positions for adult branch nurses upon graduation, the 65-member cohort experienced significant distress over potential unemployment and uncertainty in their future careers.
The health board’s announcement came as a shock to the students, who had invested considerable time and effort in their training, believing they were entering a profession with high demand for their skills. Many were left feeling misled, as they had been assured of job security in a sector known for its staffing shortages. In light of this turmoil, health board officials have since stated they are “urgently exploring all possible options” to rectify the situation.
Response from Students and Health Professionals
The revelation led to widespread backlash from the nursing students, who articulated their frustrations in an open letter to the health board. In their correspondence, they emphasized the demanding nature of their training, which included working long, unsociable hours and providing critical patient care under challenging circumstances. One student referred to the health board’s initial announcement as a “fraud,” expressing disbelief that they were sold a narrative of job security only to face the reality of no available positions.
“We were sold this training as a ‘no need to worry about jobs’ training. It is an absolute nightmare,”
the student stated, highlighting the extensive unpaid hours they contributed while training to support the National Health Service (NHS).
The situation drew the ire of the Royal College of Nursing, which criticized the health board’s lack of suitable posts as “like a slap in the face” for students who had been led to believe their skills would be in high demand.
Health Board’s New Commitment
In response to the uproar, the health board has announced the opening of “substantive posts and fixed-term rotational posts” aimed at accommodating the graduating students. A spokesperson explained that while there were no current inpatient ward nursing vacancies, the board has been actively adjusting its staffing model to create additional opportunities.
“While as a health board we did not and do not have any substantive inpatient ward nursing vacancies, we do constantly juggle a mixed staffing model involving different bands of staff and a blend of permanent staff, agency staff, bank staff and overtime,” the spokesperson noted. This adjustment is designed to facilitate job placements for the nursing cohort eager to start their careers locally.
Professor Sandy Harding, associate director of nursing at RCN Wales, expressed satisfaction with the health board’s collaborative efforts with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) to establish pathways for nursing students. She stated, “We want to see students who have dedicated their studies in Wales to be able to build their expertise to nurture the workforce in Wales.”
The health board’s renewed commitment to providing job opportunities comes as a relief to many within the nursing community, offering a glimmer of hope for those who have invested years in their education and training. As the situation continues to develop, the focus will remain on ensuring that these dedicated nursing students can transition smoothly into their professional roles.
