Employment Destinations and Professional Registration of Dual-Qualified Nurses and Social Workers in England

Purpose

This study explores the employment destinations and professional registration of dual-qualified nurses and social workers in England.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory cross-sectional survey design was used. An online survey was conducted between July and August 2024 with graduates of integrated Nursing and Social Work programmes in England. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

Findings

Eighty-two participants completed the survey. Most participants (85.4%) had never held a role explicitly requiring a dual-qualification, yet 79.3% reported applying their dual-qualification skills in practice. Dual-qualified nurses and social workers were employed in roles across multiple sectors, particularly within integrated care contexts such as learning disability, mental health, and integrated discharge services. Most current roles required Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) professional registration (52.4%), with fewer requiring both (25.6%) or Social Work England (SWE) only (18.3%).

Practical implications

The findings suggest that dual-qualified nurses and social workers contribute valuable skills across the health and social care workforce, even when not in formally recognised roles. Findings highlight the need for greater recognition of dual-qualified roles within health and social care organisations, and the development of integrated roles that fully utilise the combined skill set of these professionals.

Originality/value

This study offers the first empirical insight into the employment destinations and professional registration of dual-qualified nurses and social workers in England. It strongly supports the case for explicitly recognising and promoting dual-qualification pathways as a strategic component of integrated care workforce development.