Despite the economic recession, nursing recruitment in Scotland is still going strong. New figures suggest that nearly 700 nursing positions have been added to the Scottish NHS.

Since the 30th of September 2008, an average of 679.5 extra staff have been added to nursing and midwifery posts. There has also been an increase in the number of vacancies for midwife, nursing and nurse manager jobs over the past year according to a report on The Nursing Times.

40.4 percent of all NHS staff in Scotland work in nursing and midwifery. This figure includes all registered nurses as well as nurse managers and assistants.

The Royal College of Nursing Scotland's associate director, Ellen Hudson, said: "While the figures – showing that there has been a small increase in the number of nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants in post – are good news, this does not mean that the future is rosy"

“Highly experienced, registered nurses make a real difference to patients and to the quality of healthcare services in hospitals and the community. Health boards across Scotland must remember this as they plan their healthcare services and who is going to deliver them in the future.”