The recent 93% decline in overseas nurses underscores the UK's growing dependency on international recruitment to address domestic healthcare shortages. Experts argue that this reliance reveals a fragile workforce model, exacerbated by insufficient investment in local training and retention. The tightening of migration policies without enhancing self-sufficiency only highlights these shortcomings. Furthermore, the countries from which the UK recruits often face their own nursing shortages, making the situation ethically complex. To address this, Howard Catton, CEO of the International Council of Nurses, proposes a co-investment mechanism, potentially a global fund for nurse education, which would ensure that nations benefiting from international recruitment also support the development of their own nursing workforce. This approach advocates for migration policies that are ethical, planned, and mutually beneficial, rather than reactive.