“No jobs to go to”: A national mixed methods study of final year nursing students’ perceptions of employment prospects during National Health Service (NHS) recruitment freezes

Aim To examine final year student nurses’ perceptions of employment prospects, role expectations, and readiness for practice during national NHS recruitment freezes, and to consider implications for nursing education and transition support. Background NHS recruitment freezes during 2024 and 2025 created widespread uncertainty for final year student nurses approaching registration. This occurred within the context of an ongoing workforce shortage and raised concerns regarding workforce supply, student well-being, and the sustainability of nursing education. Design Sequential explanatory mixed methods study with integrated analysis, reported in line with the Good Reporting of A Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS) framework. Methods A nationwide UK questionnaire survey was administered using JISC Online Surveys to final year pre-registration nursing students, generating responses from n = 350 participants across all four fields of nursing (adult, children’s, mental health, and learning disability nursing within the UK). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with n = 15 purposively sampled students. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, and qualitative data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Integration occurred through survey-informed interview design, joint displays, and integrated interpretation of findings. Results Integrated findings indicated low confidence in securing NHS employment following qualification, alongside widespread financial strain and fragmented communication from some NHS employers. Qualitative data explained how uncertainty during active job applications, emotional strain, and concerns regarding role expectations combined to produce anticipatory transition shock prior to registration. Conclusions Final year nursing students experienced transition-related disruption before workforce entry, reframing transition shock as a process that can occur prior to registration under workforce instability. Improved alignment between education and employment, clearer communication, and strengthened transition support are required to protect student well-being and the sustainability of the nursing workforce and nursing education pipeline.