Posted 10 May 2023 - 09:00
Posted 10 May 2023 - 09:00
News
Apprenticeships: one third of all new nurses could train on the job
NHS hopes the extended scheme will help solve staffing issues while the RCN has criticised the plan, calling for greater investment in nursing degree courses
NHS hopes the extended scheme will help solve staffing issues while the RCN has criticised the plan, calling for greater investment in nursing degree courses
One third of new nurses could be trained on the job through apprenticeship schemes under new plans to tackle the NHS workforce crisis.
The much anticipated NHS workforce plan is expected to significantly ramp up the number of nurses and doctors trained through NHS apprenticeship schemes. Prime minister Rishi Sunak has promised the plan will be published ‘shortly’.
NHS England chief executive: ‘University is not right for every school leaver’
On a visit to her former school, NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard encouraged school leavers to ‘earn while they learn’, adding that university was not the right option for everyone.
Speaking to pupils at the Durham Johnston Comprehensive School on Friday she said: ‘One thing is clear, the NHS is nothing without its staff. That is why with more than 124,000 vacancies across the workforce, we know we need to increase training places in universities so more of our brightest and best can train to become doctors or nurses.
‘But university is not right for every school leaver and some young people want to start earning straight away, while others may decide on a career in healthcare later in life.
‘So the NHS is looking to expand apprenticeship schemes over the coming years, offering a different route into the NHS where students can earn while they learn, instead of going through the university route.’
Number of applications to nursing degree courses falls for second year running
There are currently 43,619 registered nursing posts vacant in England’s NHS, with 124,000 vacant posts overall.
The latest Universities and College Admissions Service (UCAS) data shows a drop in nursing applications across the UK for the second consecutive year, prompting fears the reduced take-up could worsen the NHS workforce crisis.
Figures show UCAS received 33,570 applications for undergraduate nursing courses by 25 January 2022 compared to 41,220 by the same time in 2021.
The RCN, which has been embroiled in a dispute with the government over nurses’ pay, has warned more needs to be done to make nursing an attractive career option.
RCN chief nurse Nicola Ranger said: ‘When the formal workforce plan comes this summer, we expect to see a funded expansion of nursing places in university.
‘Anything else will risk jeopardising the position of registered nursing as a graduate profession. All the research shows that patient outcomes greatly improve when in the care of the right number of degree-educated nurses. The apprenticeship route must be limited and not come at the expense of university-based nursing graduates.’
Poor pay and understaffing, coupled with the scrapping of the bursary for nursing students in England in 2017, are thought to be deterring young people from a career in the NHS.
Medical degree apprenticeship will be on offer to school leavers
Ms Pritchard asked pupils leaving school this year to consider a career in the NHS. Students finishing their A-levels this summer can apply for the first ever medical degree apprenticeship next year.
The expansion of NHS apprenticeship schemes may also entice people into a medical career later in life, she said.
Currently, nursing apprenticeships are available for nursing associates, adult, children’s, learning disability and mental health nursing.
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