The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Prince of Wales Nursing Cadet Scheme, founded in 2019 in partnership with His Majesty King Charles III (then Prince of Wales), represents a strategic initiative to address the declining recruitment levels in the nursing profession.
Originally launched within army cadet groups in Wales, the scheme has demonstrated considerable success and has since expanded into a variety of settings, including schools, colleges and youth organisations throughout all four nations of the UK. The initiative is specifically aimed at young people aged 16 to 25 years who are considering a career in health care, offering the opportunity to gain theoretical knowledge alongside valuable work experience through observational placements.
The overarching objective of the nursing cadet scheme is to inspire and support young people to explore nursing by equipping them with the foundational knowledge and experience required to make informed career decisions.
Scheme structure
The scheme consists of 40 hours of theoretical learning alongside 20 hours of observational experience, providing cadets with a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare environment. The theoretical elements of the course are flexible, with delivery formats ranging from an intensive 1-week programme to several weekends or 2 hours per week integrated into the curriculum as an extracurricular subject. The content is delivered primarily by the scheme's youth partners, with RCN nurse advisers contributing up to 20% of the instruction, ensuring expert input on crucial healthcare topics.
A small but dedicated team manages the scheme, consisting of a head of scheme, project manager, four project co-ordinators, two nurse advisers, and a scheme administrator.
The project manager plays a pivotal role in securing funding through health boards and integrated care boards, and the project co-ordinators liaise with youth and placement partners to arrange the programme's delivery, manage placements, and ensure cadets have access to travel expenses. They also oversee evaluations to ensure the quality of the programme.
The nurse advisors are responsible for the writing, development and delivery of 20% of the curriculum, including ensuring the educational rigour and quality assurance of the cadets' workbooks.
Scheme curriculum
The curriculum has been designed to cover a broad range of healthcare topics essential for nursing cadets. These include safeguarding, adult life support, infection control, moving and handling, teamworking, and leadership skills. The scheme also features a two-part module on healthcare careers, where cadets are required to undertake an in-depth exploration of different healthcare roles.
Cadets complete an online questionnaire to identify which healthcare careers align with their interests and strengths. They research their top three career choices, focusing on the required entry qualifications, training pathways, and the personal attributes necessary for success in those roles. Each cadet delivers a five-minute presentation to their peers, fostering not only individual research and presentation skills but also peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
This process enables cadets to gain insight into a variety of health professions, ranging from traditional roles such as nursing, midwifery, and health visiting, to more specialist or lesser known careers such as physiotherapy, paramedic work and even hospital chaplaincy.
Placements
In addition to theoretical learning, the scheme offers 20 hours of observational work experience, facilitated by healthcare partners including NHS hospitals, primary care facilities, mental health services, research institutions, and independent healthcare providers. These placements allow cadets to observe health professionals in real-world settings, providing them with a valuable understanding of how multidisciplinary teams work collaboratively to deliver patient care.
Some placements also provide hands-on experience through simulation suites, where cadets can practise using training manikins and monitoring equipment to develop essential clinical skills such as recording blood pressure and other vital signs. This practical exposure is invaluable, offering cadets a realistic insight into the demands and responsibilities of healthcare roles while reinforcing the theoretical knowledge they have acquired.
To further promote professionalism and a sense of identity cadets are required to wear a designated uniform consisting of a red polo shirt, black trousers and black shoes during both their theoretical sessions and placements. This not only helps to cultivate a professional attitude but also enhances the visibility of the scheme and its participants within healthcare settings.
Other benefits
On successful completion of the programme, cadets are awarded a certificate recognising their achievements, along with a pin badge symbolising their participation. Additionally, cadets who are part of the armed forces are presented with a further badge for their uniform, acknowledging their dual role.
Alumni of the scheme also gain access to ongoing support for job applications, interview preparation, and UCAS submissions. Web pages for the cadet alumni are currently being developed to offer further resources, such as interviews with health professionals working in unique and specialised fields, including roles on cruise ships and within custody suites, thereby expanding cadets' understanding of the diverse opportunities available within the healthcare sector.
Feedback from those who have completed the programme has been overwhelmingly positive. Many participants have said that the scheme not only provided them with valuable knowledge and skills but also helped them to gain clarity and confidence regarding their future career paths. One cadet reflected:
‘It was a good experience. I loved every minute of it, learning new things and realising what I might be doing in the future and what skills I need. It was a good experience that I'm glad I had the choice to have.’
Advocacy for health care
The RCN Prince of Wales Nursing Cadet Scheme has emerged at a crucial time for the nursing profession, with recruitment levels at an all-time low and the media often painting a discouraging picture of the sector. By offering young people the opportunity to engage directly with health professionals and environments, the scheme serves as an important advocacy tool, highlighting the rewarding and diverse career options within health care.
The success of the scheme lies not only in its ability to inspire future health professionals but also in the support and mentorship provided by those already working in the field. In an era where healthcare recruitment is a national priority, initiatives such as this are essential for cultivating the next generation of skilled and passionate healthcare workers.