A UK-wide survey of newly qualified midwives (NQM) by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has revealed a troubling picture of the employment landscape facing the profession’s newest entrants.

Among the respondents who have received their NMC PIN – the professional registration which is necessary to be able to work as a midwife – 31% haven’t secured a position, equating to approximately one in three midwifery graduates. This is despite chronic staffing shortages in maternity services and the recently introduced Graduate job scheme for England announced in August.

For those unable to secure a midwifery post, 61% said they weren’t working at all. Others reported roles in retail or hospitality, office-based work, cleaning jobs and prison services.

Even among those who have secured midwifery roles, many are beginning their careers in less than ideal conditions. More than half (55%) are on fixed-term rather than permanent contracts, raising concerns about job security and retention. Working  patterns are also mixed, with 53% saying they were not working full-time, although most reported that the hours they were offered matched their preferences. One quarter, however, said they were not working the hours they had hoped for – which impacts on their earning potential.

The RCM says these findings highlight a disconnect between the number of midwives being educated and the number of secure, sustainable roles available to them. The College is calling on governments and NHS employers to urgently address this gap, warning that ongoing recruitment freezes and financial constraints risk pushing NQMs out of the profession before they have even started their careers.

Fiona Gibb, Director of Midwifery at the RCM, 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 findings underline the importance of the RCM’s Safe Staffing = Safe Care campaign. The campaign was launched last month at Westminster, calling for urgent action to address chronic staffing shortages in maternity services which are putting women and babies at risk.

Fiona said: “For years, the RCM has warned that maternity services are operating without enough midwives to provide consistently safe, personalised care. Yet this survey shows newly qualified midwives – registered and ready to work – are being left without jobs.

“The government needs to urgently invest in permanent posts so newly qualified midwives can enter the profession and help deliver the safe care that maternity services urgently need.”

Some of the comments on the survey from graduates paint a bleak picture of uncertainty:

• “Finding a job was very challenging, and the application process was very stressful due to the competition for jobs. I applied to 20+ jobs before getting my current role.”
• “I am still yet to secure a job as a newly qualified midwife. I cannot find any local Trusts advertising. It is heartbreaking.”
• “Jobs are few and far between, it’s been really difficult. I have had two interviews out of three newly qualified positions and was unsuccessful for both. Both interviews were at Trusts located miles and miles away. I really want to work as a midwife but finding a job is difficult.”
• I’m unable to find employment – there are a serious lack of Band 5 positions. When they do come up the interview process is extensive, some Trusts only take on internal candidates and some (like the one I trained in) take people from all Trusts making it seem unfair. I feel like I’m in a worse position now than I was before I started this degree, I’m financially struggling and feel completely stuck with no options.”
• “The job search this year was an incredibly stressful time. Within the Trust I trained in there were only 20 jobs and over 120 applicants interviewed which was really upsetting. It was a difficult time for my cohort as we were all competing against each other and many were still left without posts to go into.”
• “Trying to secure a job has been hard. So many people applying for minimum jobs. Since qualifying I cannot afford my rent, bills and food from Universal Credit. My mental health is at an all time low.”

The RCM is urging governments across the UK to strengthen workforce planning, ensure sustainable funding for maternity services and support Trusts and Boards to offer permanent, properly resourced roles for new midwives. Despite the announcement in the summer of the midwifery graduate guarantee scheme in England, many NQMs are still unable to secure the roles they were promised, highlighting a significant gap between Government commitments and the reality facing graduates.

This is the second student survey the RCM has carried out. The first, in 2025, showed that more than eight out of 10 student midwives due to qualify that year said that were ‘not confident’ they would find a job once graduating despite being ready to work. This survey shows that their worst fears have become reality.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk
• Read more about the RCM’s Safe Staffing = Safe Care campaign: org.uk/safestaffing
• The RCM surveyed 312 graduate midwives at the end of last year.
• The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team.  We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team