Urgent workforce intervention needed as nursing applications fall by 27% in 3 years

We’re calling for an urgent intervention from the UK government to rescue the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, as the latest UCAS figures show a further decrease in the number of students applying to study nursing in England.

UCAS data shows there’s been an 8% decrease in applications from last year, and a 27% drop since 2021.

There’s a similar picture in Northern Ireland and Scotland, with applications down 4% and 6% respectively. Though applications in Wales have increased by 16%, UK-wide, there’s been an overall decrease of 27% in 3 years.

Without an urgent and significant intervention from the new UK government, including the introduction of financial incentives for students, England’s NHS Long Term Workforce Plan will fall further off target. The plan’s 40,586 applicants target is still 7,000 nursing students short for the upcoming academic year. 

The RCN is reiterating calls for the return of government-funded nursing degrees and for the introduction of maintenance grants. For those already working in publicly-funded services, a loan forgiveness system should be put in place.

RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, said: “Nursing is a wonderful and rewarding profession, but huge debt and financial insecurity are putting off the next generation. Patients and nursing staff alike need the new UK government to come good on their promises to deliver the workforce plan for England – after its first full year things have headed in the wrong direction at the very time we know the NHS is struggling to retain current staff.

“Investment in nursing education means more nurses in our health and care settings. This is key to making the nation healthier and getting people back into the economy. Government-funded degrees and financial support for students will more than pay for themselves.

“Nursing stands ready to be part of the solution and work in partnership with government. Ministers must show political leadership to rescue failing nurse recruitment. It should be our collective mission to grow the workforce in the interests of patient safety.”