The UK needs to raise its game if it isn’t to lose out to other countries in attracting skilled nurses and midwives.

Australia, New Zealand and Canada already offer attractive salaries and opportunities for career progression. For example, in Queensland, Australia, the average salary for a new nursing graduate is A$52,089 (£28,882) per annum, while experienced nurses can earn up to A$85,000.

However, because of the severe talent shortage, Australia has now placed many nurse occupations on the critical skills list, giving them priority and therefore speedier visa processing.

Guy Bradley, director of the Australian Visa Bureau, says: “With projected employment in this industry [health and care] to grow at a rate of 3% per annum, this means around 181,600 new jobs will be created in the next five years.

“This means employment opportunities and career development for nurses and midwives on top of Australia’s strong economy and enviable lifestyle.”

Career progression is also excellent in New Zealand, with many nurses entering into specialised positions or progressing into research, management or education roles. Postgraduate study can lead to opportunities to become nurse practitioners.

Nurses are also given special consideration by Canadian immigration, and are one of a very limited number of occupations, which Canada is still actively seeking. Nurses are exempt from needing a pre-arranged offer of employment.

Craig Tibbles, managing director of Orion Locums, told Recruiter: “The UK is danger of losing out as other countries are clearly pulling out all the stops to attract suitable professionals from other countries, including from the UK.”

See Recruiter, 25 November for more on the nursing shortage afflicting Canada.