Responding to UCAS figures showing a fall in acceptances onto nursing courses, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, said:
“Every one of those accepted onto courses has made a fantastic decision and a rewarding nursing career awaits them. Seeing thousands of young people decide their future is in nursing spurs us on to keep fighting for the profession they will join.
“To address the staffing crisis and give the kind of care patients deserve, we need these figures to look even stronger. Sadly, they have headed in the wrong direction this year.
“The impact of this drop in acceptances to nursing courses, along with the drop in applications this year, must not be underestimated. It will only add to the growing nursing workforce crisis.
“Ministers across the UK have to urgently reward today’s experienced staff with a fair pay rise and show tomorrow’s that a career in nursing shouldn’t come with a personal financial sacrifice.
“Nursing students in higher education should have access to adequate financial support for tuition and the cost of living. This would encourage more to join nurse education. Our nursing students must be able to prioritise their education without heavy debts and worries.”
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Notes to editors
Figures from UCAS released today show there are currently 21,130 accepted applicants onto nursing courses this year. This is a fall of 1,560 (-7%) from 2021 when 22,690 applicants were accepted.
