UCAS figures released today show a dramatic decline in the number of applications made to institutions providing nursing courses in England with a fall of 18% in the last year.
The figures show 27,370 applications to providers in England this year compared to 33,410 in 2022. This comes after a high of over 36,000 in 2021 at the height of the pandemic.
In the context of a record 47,000 nursing vacancies in England and many leaving the profession these figures are a real cause for concern, the RCN says.
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, said:
“These figures are damning for the government. Not only are they losing a record number of experienced nurses from the NHS but they are compounding the problem by deterring the next generation.
“With tens of thousands of unfilled nurse jobs across the country, ministers should urgently consider a set of measures to turn this situation around. Nursing staff, today’s and tomorrow’s alike, need to know they are valued and that starts with fair pay.
“A sharp drop in mature student applicants to nursing courses across the UK is deeply concerning too.
“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.”
Ends
Notes to editors
The UCAS data on applications is available here
