The Guardian newspaper has reported that in 2009 almost 85% of nursing degree graduates found full-time employment, with 94% of those finding jobs as healthcare professionals.
Just over 74% of those nursing degree graduates working in healthcare went straight into nursing, while the rest took other roles supporting the delivery of healthcare, according to the report.
Of the nursing degree graduates who did not enter full-time employment: some opted for extra study, whilst others combined further study with work. Only 1.7 % remained unemployed.
Journalist Angela Foster wrote: Work placements give an insight into what it is like to work in a busy department and the skills needed. And a degree rather than a diploma puts you a step ahead on the employment ladder.
With this apparently high level of employability, particularly in the current economic climate, enrolling on a nursing degree has become an attractive option for many.
Margaret Holbrough, a careers adviser with Graduate Prospects, said:”Nursing graduates are trained to work within the health sector and other related environments with all types of patient, but often specialise in caring for particular types of patient, such as adults, children or people with mental health or learning disabilities.”
In addition to good career prospects, nursing degree students also benefit from a government funded bursary to help them meet the cost of studying.
The University of Southampton is just one higher education institution that is routinely flooded with applications to study for a nursing degree. It was the first university in the country to win accreditation for its Bachelor of Nursing, or BN, nursing degree courses in 2011.
Southamptons employability rates for nursing degree graduates in 2009 were an impressive 8% better than the average national statistic of 85% reported in the Guardian.