In England, 20,930 students have been placed onto undergraduate nursing courses.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has said it remains sceptical despite a record number of student nurses who have been accepted onto undergraduate nursing courses in England.
In England for the 2021 – 2022 academic year, 20,930 students have been placed onto undergraduate nursing courses – a rise of 11.5% from 2020.
The picture isn’t as good in other areas of the UK. In Wales, there was a marginal increase of less than 1%. While in Northern Ireland, the number of acceptances for nursing courses has dropped by 11%, and in Scotland, there has been a fall of 3%.
The boost in numbers has been attributed to the “Nightingale Effect”. With an already high attrition rate compared to other undergraduate degress, many are fearful that this large number of student nurses won’t translate into an increase in registered nurses after students experience the harsh realities of the profession.
Nursing remains one of the lowest-paid graduate professions which also currently has a record level of mental health-related sickness absence.
Not equate to record numbers of nurses.
The RCN says that “acceptance numbers are still not keeping pace with vacancies” and with nursing staff exhausted that may only further rise.
RCN England Director, Patricia Marquis said: “This latest increase in acceptances to nursing courses is encouraging and is no doubt a result of the high profile and professionalism of nursing staff during the pandemic.
“But record numbers of acceptances does not equate to record numbers of nurses entering the workforce, as many of these students won’t qualify until 2024 and beyond.
“There are already significant staff shortages in nursing and it is clear acceptance numbers are still not keeping pace with vacancies.
“Pressures of the pandemic have also left nursing staff exhausted. This not only puts patient care at risk but means students risk not completing their studies and entering the workforce.
“Ministers must reverse the 3% pay deal if we are to discourage many from abandoning the profession, leaving future nurses without the expert teaching they need.”
