In response to the latest Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) figures for applications to nursing courses in Wales, Professor Sandy Harding, Associate Director, RCN Wales, said:
“We welcome this year’s 16% rise in UCAS applications for nursing in Wales, however, we are still short of where we need to be. The increase doesn’t outweigh last year’s 21% drop in applicants, so we must continue to build on this positive increase. At a time when health and care services are facing significant pressures, we need these figures to be so much better. “
The Welsh government must restart the review of the bursary system to ensure it meets the needs of nursing students adequately. It has been paused since 2023. Better financial support is essential to attract and retain nursing students. A nursing degree runs through the whole calendar year and students spend half that time on practical placements. Adequate bursaries and financial support are needed to make nursing education more accessible and ensuring a steady pipeline of future nurses.
Professor Harding added: “The number of applicants would have fallen again this year had it not been for strong international student numbers. Nursing must be seen as an attractive and sustainable career choice to prospective students – both at home and international. There needs to be an emphasis not only on fair pay and flexible working arrangements, but also on career progression opportunities and continued professional development in keeping with modern ways of living.”
The RCN always welcomes applications from international students who bring positive diverse experiences to Wales. However, it is crucial to ensure that we retain them in Wales after completing their education and training; otherwise we may face a more significant shortage in the nursing workforce in the future. These recent UCAS figures demonstrate that the Welsh government still needs to invest more in the nursing profession in Wales.”
Notes to Editors
The UCAS data can be found here: 2024 cycle applicant figures – 30 June deadline | Undergraduate | UCAS
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world with over half a million members in the UK, including around 30,500 members in Wales.
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