PRESS RELEASE

Embargoed until 00:01 Monday 12 May

Londoners encouraged to pursue a career in nursing

On international nurses’ day (12^th May), the NHS in London is encouraging potential nurses to apply for a career in the NHS to strengthen the future NHS workforce in the capital.

Studying a nursing degree opens a world of possibilities, with a rewarding role that has more than 50 different specialisms across mental health, learning disability, adult, and children’s nursing.

The overarching multi-year theme of international nurses’ day, organised by the International Council of Nurses (ICN), is ‘Our Nurses, Our Future’.

Karen Bonner, NHS England London’s Chief Nurse, said: “Nurses and midwives have always been at the heart of London healthcare services and are integral to delivering the three big shifts in the future-focused NHS 10-Year health plan.

“International nurses’ day is a chance to highlight the unique and vital contribution of NHS nursing professions, and to celebrate those in training to become nurses of the future. Thank you for all you do and the difference you make to people’s lives and our communities every single day.”​

Matty Asante-Owusu, a Sickle Cell Community Matron at Wittington Health NHS Trust was inspired by her mother who trained as a midwife.

She said: “My advice to people interested in training as a nurse would be to find a specialism that you truly love, because nursing is more than just a job – it’s a vocation. When you’re passionate about your area of work, it won’t always feel like work.

“A nursing degree offers exciting and hands-on training via a range of placements while you learn, giving you the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Magda Nyczak-Kal, District Nursing Team Lead at Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, began her nursing career as a theatre nurse in Poland, before moving to the UK in 2008 and achieving her nursing and midwifery council (NMC) registration. Since then, she has mentored countless nurses and students to deliver care to exemplary standards.

She said: “I could not speak English when I arrived and so I like to be proactive in supporting staff, especially those recruited internationally, to develop their skills and adapt to a new working environment. I feel enormous satisfaction to see members of our team to flourish in their roles.

“My favourite thing about my role as an NHS nurse is supporting staff to provide the highest quality healthcare to our patients. Showing them exactly what can be achieved through hard work, diligence, compassion, and dedication.

“To someone thinking about applying for nursing in the NHS, I would highly recommend it. The NHS is a place where you can learn new skills and play an instrumental role in providing quality healthcare to patients. You can feel proud to be a part of an organisation that is dedicated to improving the health of its communities.”

This year’s UCAS figures show that nursing degree application numbers in the capital have increased by +5.7% since 2019.* Once qualified, retention levels in London are high with the current annual turnover rate at just 9.4%, and a total headcount of nearly 75,000** nurses across the capital.

Those who choose to attend university to study nursing could be eligible for the NHS Learning Support Fund, which will guarantee at least £5,000 a year, as well as specialist payments for studying mental health or learning disability nursing, and for parental support

You can still apply to study nursing at universities across the country. Search ‘NHS Nursing Careers’ to find out more. (www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/we-are-the-nhs/nursing-careers)

*Information provided by UCAS, which shows the number of applicants who applied before the January Equal Consideration Deadline (The UCAS equal consideration deadline was 29 January 2025).

**Represents the workforce on 28 Feb 2025

Notes to Editors

• Karen Bonner, Chief Nurse at NHS England London is available for interviews at 10am Monday 12 May. Please contact london.commsteam@nhs.net to arrange.