So the unions say.
Under new rules for migrant workers non-European workers will have to leave the UK after six years if they are not earning at least £35,000. The unions say this could cost 3,300 nursing jobs.
So why not train more nurses? Currently about 10,000 are trained each year, but that is only 20% of suitable applicants. It is not as if the pay is bad as this helpful BBC table shows:
Nurse pay and roles
Band. Pay range. Typical role
5 £21,692 - £28,180 Entry level nurse or midwife
6 £26,041 - £34,876 Staff nurse, such as theatre nurse
7 £31,072 - £40,694 Senior nurse, such as ward sister / team leader
8 £39,632 - £81,618 Nurse consultant or matron
And in order to bring in more nurses in a shorter time a move back to the SRN/SEN system might help. It is not as if all nurses need a degree to work.