Graduate Entry Nursing: An Underutilised Solution to Workforce Shortages in the UK and Globally

Abstract

The global nursing workforce is experiencing unprecedented shortages, with an estimated deficit of 5.9 million nurses worldwide. Graduate Entry Nursing (GEN) programmes, designed for individuals with prior degrees, offer a rapid and flexible pathway to expand the nursing workforce across diverse healthcare systems. This article examines GEN programmes in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom, comparing their structures, benefits, and challenges. GEN pathways attract mature, motivated students, often career changers, who bring a wide range of skills and perspectives to the profession. Despite their potential, barriers such as limited clinical placements, restrictive visa policies, and funding constraints impede the growth of GEN programmes, particularly in the UK. The findings support the need for strategic investment and policy reform to fully harness GEN’s capacity to strengthen national and global nursing workforces and address context-specific shortages.

Keywords: Graduate Entry, Nursing, Shortage, Workforce Development