A scheme aiming to bring more people into the nursing profession has been re-launched by King Charles III.
At a visit to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) headquarters in central London today, the King told a room of current and future nurses that he was “proud” of them and that the country would be relying on them “more and more” in the coming years.
“The cadet scheme has now helped me pursue my career”
Charlie Karim
His Majesty was visiting the RCN to reinstate his backing for the scheme, rebrand it to recognise his new title, and to celebrate its 1,000th participant.
In 2019, before he was King, he launched the RCN Prince of Wales Nursing Cadet scheme.
This scheme, which gives young people skills and information on becoming a nurse, began in Wales and has since expanded, now accepting people aged 16 to 25 across the UK.
Cadets take part in 40 hours of practical and theoretical taster nurse training, including some simulated clinical exercises, as well as 20 hours of placement at a hospital or other healthcare environment to observe frontline nurses.
King Charles visiting the RCN to re-launch the union’s cadet scheme
Today’s re-launch saw the scheme renamed as the RCN King’s Nursing Cadets. At the event, the King met cadets, nurses and RCN leaders and watched practical learning sessions on choking first aid, infection control and life support.
The latter session included a demonstration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a bespoke mannequin; the King was invited to have a go at chest compressions in front of the cadets.
He was presented with gifts on behalf of the RCN by the 999th and 1,000th cadets: twin brothers Harrison and Jefferson Rigby, both aged 16, who began the scheme in October 2024 and aim to go into healthcare in the future.
King Charles with Jefferson Rigby
Professor Nicola Ranger, general secretary and chief executive of the RCN, told Nursing Times that the King’s attendance was a “real boost” to everyone on the scheme and, she hoped, the profession as a whole.
“The King was so personable, he’s so interested in us, the staff and leadership of the college, but also the cadets,” she said.
“He is our royal patron, he has now moved this from the Prince of Wales scheme to the King’s cadets – which we think is really symbolic of his commitment… he didn’t pass it on, he kept it with him and we’re delighted.”
Professor Ranger said the scheme’s 1,000th cadet milestone was particularly pertinent, given ongoing issues in generating interest for nursing across the country.
In February, new Universities and Colleges Admissions Service data showed yet another fall in university applications for nursing in the 2025-26 academic year.
Meanwhile, the future of nursing education in Wales remains uncertain after Cardiff University announced plans to cut all nurse degree courses.
“Nursing, whether we like it or not, is in crisis in the UK,” Professor Ranger said. “We’re not bringing enough people into nursing.
Nicola Ranger presenting King Charles III with a picture of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, visiting the RCN before she had the crown
“We’re not retaining enough because of the conditions that people are working in and, actually, a real focus on that strong domestic supply of nurses is absolutely vital for the nation.”
She continued: “A lot of cadets have gone on to [study nursing at] university… one of the cadets has gone on to do law, but they work as a nursing assistant in their spare time – how brilliant.
“Even if they don’t go on to have a job in healthcare, an understanding of what nursing is and the value of nursing is something that is valuable for society.”
The RCN boss added that she was impressed by the King’s CPR skills during the practical learning sessions.
So too was Rosalind Mabey, cadet advisor for Wales and Scotland: “He was very good, actually… he said he learned in the Red Cross.
Rosalind Mabey
“He had a few pointers from the cadets: he needed to keep his elbows straight. But other than that, his rhythm was great, he had good depth and his timing was right.”
Ms Mabey, a registered nurse of more than 30 years based in Wales, oversaw the life support session at the event.
She said: “We teach skills and attributes valuable in nursing, but if at the end they don’t feel they want to be nurses, they’ve got those skills with them for life.
“Things like basic life support, communication, teamwork – it builds their confidence and self-efficacy throughout the scheme.”
Charlie Karim, who took part in the scheme in 2022 with Durham Army Cadets, said he would recommend it to anyone and described it as a “massive stepping stone” towards becoming a nurse.
Mr Karim recently accepted an offer to study adult nursing at Northumbria University in September; he credited the scheme with his success in applying for university.
“My dream was to become a combat medical technician, but I couldn’t get into the Army due to medical reasons,” he said.
“So the cadet scheme has now helped me pursue my career, getting into nursing.”
Charlie Karim
Mr Karim added: “I got to chat to His Majesty the King, it was an honour. I was telling him about how this scheme is absolutely brilliant, and how it benefits people – how I’ve benefitted from it.
“The team are absolutely brilliant. They set you up, guide you there and they’re there all the time for help and support.”
He said a placement at Sunderland Royal Hospital was his personal highlight of the scheme.
According to the RCN, 1,156 people have either completed or are currently taking part in the cadet programme, with more than half of alumni either studying or working in nursing or other healthcare fields.
