EU nurse figures in decline long before Brexit vote

Area of Science:

• Healthcare workforce dynamics
• International nursing recruitment

Background:

• The number of European Union (EU) nurses applying to work in the United Kingdom (UK) has decreased.
• This decline has been attributed to the UK's departure from the EU (Brexit).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the trend in EU nurse applications to the UK.
• To identify factors influencing this trend beyond Brexit.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of application figures for nurses from EU countries.
• Examination of the timeline of application trends relative to the Brexit referendum and regulatory changes.

Main Results:

• Data indicates a decline in interest from EU nurses several months prior to the June 2016 Brexit referendum.
• Experts suggest that enhanced language proficiency requirements implemented by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) may be a contributing factor.

Conclusions:

• The decrease in EU nurses applying to the UK predates Brexit.
• Stricter language requirements by the NMC are a potential reason for the waning interest among EU nurses.