The number of individuals pursuing nursing as a career has significantly decreased across England, with some regions experiencing a 40% decrease in successful applications, as reported by the largest nursing union. The latest data from Ucas, the university admissions service, reveals that the number of individuals accepted into nursing courses has dropped across all parts of England between 2020 and 2023.
In north-east England, acceptances onto pre-registration courses have plummeted by 40%, making it the region most severely impacted, according to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). Other regions such as Yorkshire and Humberside, south-west England, eastern England, the south-east, the north-west, the East Midlands, the West Midlands, and London have also recorded declines ranging from 12% to 25%.
The RCN has expressed concerns that entire regions are being left behind due to an inadequate education system for nurses. They are urging the government to implement a loan forgiveness program and provide funding for living expenses for students who commit to working in the NHS post-graduation, emphasizing the importance of attracting more individuals to the profession.
Prof Nicola Ranger, the chief executive and general secretary of the RCN, highlighted the financial burdens and lack of support deterring prospective nurses, ultimately jeopardizing patient care. The RCN stresses the need to revamp the nurse education model to address the current challenges facing the NHS and ensure a sustainable workforce.
Despite the government’s efforts to modernize the NHS and enhance community care, the declining number of nursing students poses a significant challenge. The RCN emphasizes the importance of forgiving tuition fee loans for those entering the health service and providing financial support to make nursing an appealing career choice once again.
The decline in nursing student acceptances for the past two years has raised concerns, with Labour expressing alarm over the trend. The government’s 10-year plan to transform the NHS aims to increase the number of nurses from 350,000 to 550,000 by 2036-37, but the current trajectory indicates a shortage of nursing professionals.
The RCN calls for specific funding commitments tailored to nursing students’ needs to boost domestic recruitment and address the workforce shortages in the NHS. A fully staffed NHS is essential for achieving the government’s healthcare objectives and transitioning towards community-based care.
In response, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the longstanding workforce challenges in the NHS and reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding the healthcare workforce. They emphasized the need for time to recruit and train additional staff, highlighting the government’s goal of the largest expansion of NHS staff in history to improve patient care and access to services.
