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Fears for NHS workforce as applications for nursing courses drop

Applications for undergraduate courses have fallen for a second consecutive year as ministers urged to consider measures to turn the situation around

Applications for undergraduate courses have fallen for a second consecutive year as ministers urged to consider measures to turn the situation around

Fears for NHS workforce as applications for undergraduate nursing courses drop
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Nursing courses in the UK have seen another drop in applications this year, prompting fears it could worsen the NHS workforce.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) received 33,570 applications for undergraduate nursing courses by 25 January 2022, compared to 41,220 by the same time last year.

Drop in nursing applications ‘damning’ for UK government

It is the second consecutive year applications have fallen across the UK. The figures represent a drop of around 19% from 2022 and 27% from 2021’s record-breaking 46,040 applicants.

The RCN said the numbers were ‘damning’ for the UK government, calling on ministers to ‘urgently consider a set of measures to turn this situation around’.

RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said: ‘During the pandemic, people were drawn to apply to study nursing by the professionalism that was showcased. These figures show that has been reversed entirely. Ultimately, it is patient care that will continue to suffer.’

Nurses at North Durham Hospital took to the picket line over lack of staff and poor pay
Nurses at North Durham Hospital took to the picket line over lack of staff and poor pay. Picture: John Houlihan

‘Worrying to see these figures going in the wrong direction’

The largest decrease was in Scotland (24%), with RCN Scotland associate director Eileen McKenna also calling on the Scottish Government to make nursing a more rewarding career for prospective students.

‘It’s very worrying to see these figures going in the wrong direction. Scotland desperately needs more nurses… and a reduction in the number of people applying to study nursing will only add to the workforce crisis,’ she added.

Nurses are embroiled in a dispute with ministers over poor pay and working conditions, with thousands taking part in strikes for the first time in NHS history.

Breakdown of UK nursing applications in 2023

  • England – 27,370 (down 18% from 2022)
  • Scotland – 5,070 (down 24% from 2022)
  • Wales – 2,820 (down 22% from 2022)
  • Northern Ireland – 2,380 (down 17% from 2022)

Soaring cost of living forcing students to reconsider choice of subject

UCAS chief executive Clare Marchant said the soaring cost of living was forcing students to reconsider their subject choice, with more looking at subjects that could lead to better career prospects and salaries such as computing and law.

She added: ‘Demand for undergraduate courses during COVID-19 was unprecedented and so a slight recalibration in the number of applicants might be expected, particularly for courses related to nursing and healthcare.’

The Department for Health and Social Care insisted there continues to be a ‘strong interest’ in nursing careers, with more applications now than in 2019.

Scottish health secretary Humza Yousaf said funded places on undergraduate nursing and midwifery courses had doubled in the past decade.

He added that Scotland’s support package for nurses was the ‘most generous in the UK’, with a £10,000 nursing and midwifery bursary, free tuition and support with placement expenses, uniforms, disclosures and health checks also on offer.


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