Professional strategy for nursing and midwifery
We are calling on registered nurses, midwives, nursing associates and students across England to help shape the Professional Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery in England.
Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England:: “The Professional Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery in England represents a defining moment for our professions – a collective opportunity to shape the next era of nursing and midwifery practice, education, research and leadership.
“Nurses, midwives and nursing associates are at the heart of every community. This strategy will set out a long-term vision for our professions, recognising our vital role in transforming health and care to meet the needs of our changing population, supporting the health service to reform, including elective care and reducing waiting lists, and improving the health of our nation, now and for the future.
“From career development to flexible opportunities and wellbeing – this strategy will also set out how we will better support colleagues throughout their careers and ensure that nursing and midwifery are modern careers of choice for more people.
“I am urging all nurses, midwives, nursing associates – wherever you work, and whatever stage of your career you’re at, including students and newly qualified colleagues – to please get involved. Together, we can set out a compelling vision for the future of our professions in England”.
The landscape in which nurses, midwives and nursing associates work has evolved significantly in recent years and as we look to the future, it will continue to do so. Shifts in population health needs, new models of care with a greater focus on prevention, advancements in research and technology and wider determinants of health have dramatically changed the world in which we work.
As the landscape has evolved, so has the role of our professions.
Modern nursing and midwifery span a vast range of roles and settings. We work in people’s homes, communities, schools, hospitals, research and academic institutions, prisons, the military and beyond. From clinical care to policy, research and innovation, digital transformation and education – our professions are leading delivery and driving transformation to meet the needs of our population.
The 10 Year Health Plan for England, includes a commitment to develop a new long term professional strategy for nursing and midwifery. As a professional strategy this will be much broader than the NHS – it will be for all nurses, midwives and nursing associates in England, wherever they work and at all stages of their careers.
The strategy will set out a long-term professional direction of travel up to 2040, that:
- considers the impact of system and societal changes on the professions
- defines the professions’ role in leading and delivering the ambitions for a modern health and care system for our population
- better supports nurses, midwives and nursing associates through a new career long approach to education and learning and modern career pathways
Get involved
Please take the time to share your views, experiences and ideas by completing this survey: Defining the next era of nursing and midwifery.
The survey will close at midnight on Monday 29 September 2025.
Alongside the survey there is a supporting pack that provides additional information that can be used to inform local engagement and discussions. We’d really encourage you to use this with your teams or representative groups
To keep up to date with news on the strategy and opportunities to get involved, please come back and check this page or sign up to receive the Chief Nursing Officer for England’s Bulletin.
If you have any queries about your involvement with this survey, please email: england.nursingpolicystrategy@nhs.net