A new UK‑wide survey by the Royal College of Midwives has revealed significant employment challenges facing newly qualified midwives, with around one in three graduates unable to secure a job despite ongoing staffing shortages in maternity services.
The survey found that 31% of respondents with their NMC PIN – the professional registration required to practise – had not secured a midwifery post. This comes despite the introduction of the Graduate Job Scheme in England last August and widespread vacancies across maternity units.
Of those unable to obtain a midwifery role, 61% reported they were not working in any job. Others said they had taken roles in sectors such as retail or hospitality, cleaning, or prison services.
The RCM warned this is a clear sign that recruitment freezes and financial pressures are preventing new clinicians from entering the profession at a time when services urgently need staff.
Even among those who have secured roles, conditions are challenging:
- 55% of newly employed midwives are on fixed‑term rather than permanent contracts
- 53% are not working full‑time
- One quarter said they are not working the hours they hoped for, limiting earning potential
The RCM said this disconnect between the number of trained midwives and the number of secure jobs represents a significant threat to workforce retention.
The findings reinforce concerns raised through the RCM’s Safe Staffing = Safe Care campaign, which urges governments across the UK to address chronic staffing shortages in maternity services.
The RCM is calling for:
- Stronger workforce planning across the UK
- Sustainable long‑term funding for maternity services
- More permanent, well‑resourced roles for new midwives
- Alignment between government commitments and actual job availability
The College warns that gaps between policy announcements and real‑world job opportunities risk pushing midwives out of the profession before they begin their careers.
This is the second major student survey undertaken by the RCM. The first, conducted in 2025, revealed that more than 80% of student midwives were “not confident” they would find work after qualifying – despite being ready to practise.
The latest findings, the RCM says, indicate that many of those fears have now become reality.
The RCM has stressed that without more secure posts, better planning and investment, maternity units across the UK may struggle to retain the next generation of midwives, worsening already well‑documented staffing shortages.
Director of Midwifery at the RCM, Fiona Gibb, said:
“These results are deeply worrying and it is troubling that newly qualified midwives, who have worked hard and are ready to contribute to care, are being left unemployed, working in non-clinical roles or trapped in insecure jobs.
“This uncertainty is having a serious impact on graduates’ wellbeing, with many experiencing anxiety, stress and loss of confidence at the very start of their careers. Alongside this, financial pressures are mounting, as graduates struggle to meet living costs, repay student loans, and plan for their futures without stable employment.
“At a time when maternity services are struggling with staff shortages, we should be doing everything we can to bring these newly qualified professionals into the workforce. Instead, they are being failed which is undermining the future maternity workforce we so desperately need.”
The organisation is urging NHS employers and governments to treat the issue as a workforce priority to ensure women, babies and families receive safe and high‑quality care.
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