A recent report by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has brought to light the severe financial challenges faced by internationally educated nurses in the UK. These dedicated professionals, many of whom moved to the UK to contribute to the nation’s healthcare system, are now struggling to make ends meet. The report warns of a potential “mass exodus” of these nurses, with two-thirds considering leaving the UK due to the rising cost of living and the financial strain imposed by UK immigration policies.
Patricia Marquis, the executive director for the RCN in England, emphasized the gravity of the situation: “Migrant nursing staff pushed into poverty will simply choose somewhere else to do their nursing.”
Financial Struggles Under Restrictive Visa Conditions
Internationally educated nurses make up more than one in five professionals on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register. However, unlike their UK-trained counterparts, these nurses face significant financial barriers due to UK immigration policies. Many are in the UK on temporary visas, such as the Health and Care Worker visa, which subjects them to the “no recourse to public funds” (NRPF) rule. This rule denies them access to essential benefits like universal credit, child benefit, and housing assistance, which are crucial in navigating the high cost of living.
Nurses can only access these benefits once they obtain indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which requires a minimum of five years of residency in the UK. However, the cost of an ILR application has soared to £2,885, leaving many migrant nurses trapped in a cycle of poverty and financial instability.
The Human Cost of Financial Hardship
The RCN’s survey, which included responses from over 3,000 internationally educated nursing staff, highlights the harsh realities these nurses face. A staggering 62% of respondents revealed that they had considered leaving the UK and returning to their home countries due to the financial pressures. Many reported working beyond their contracted hours, reducing pension contributions, and even going into credit card debt to cover basic living expenses.
For those with young children, the situation is even more dire. Over a third of nurses with children under five reported significant financial struggles, and the figure rises to 40% for those with school-aged children. These nurses are often responsible for covering all household expenses, further exacerbating their financial burden.
One respondent shared the emotional toll of the NRPF condition, stating: “The impact of [NRPF] is enormous as I’m really struggling to make ends meet. Struggling to feed and clothe [my] children with no help from anywhere. I’m exhausted and financially drained.”
Another nurse described how they had to take on extra weekend and night shifts, leading to increased reliance on friends for childcare and further isolation from their own family.
Calls for Government Action
The RCN is urging the UK government to address these issues by removing the NRPF condition and reducing visa fees, including the cost of ILR applications. The union argues that the current system not only undermines the wellbeing of migrant nurses but also threatens the quality of patient care in the UK.
Patricia Marquis stressed the importance of equitable treatment: “Ministers must lead from the front and show that migrant nursing staff are welcome here and have the same value as their domestic colleagues. The no recourse to public funds condition applied to migrant workers must be ended immediately.”
Government Response
In response to the RCN’s findings, a government spokesperson acknowledged the critical role of nurses in the UK and the challenges posed by the current economic climate. “We hugely value the vital work that our nurses do day in, day out to care for patients. We recognize that people are still struggling with the cost of living, which is why this government wants to restore economic stability.”
The spokesperson also highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting NHS staff, including accepting the recommendations of the NHS Pay Review Body for the 2024-25 pay cycle.
As the UK grapples with these issues, the plight of internationally educated nurses underscores the need for urgent reforms to ensure that those who care for the nation’s health are not left in financial jeopardy.