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Number of nurses entering education falling, UCAS shows

Press Release 08/12/2022

Responding to UCAS figures showing that the number of nurses entering education is falling in the UK, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, said:

“It is deeply troubling to see things heading in the wrong direction. People are put off nursing by the poor and unfair treatment this fantastic profession gets, often at the hands of politicians.

“With record waiting lists, we need the pipeline of the nurses of the future to be expanding, not contracting.

“That acceptances on to nursing-degree courses, and applications to them, is falling does not bode well for our profession – or for the safety of patients.

“Tomorrow’s staff need to know that a career in nursing shouldn’t come with a personal financial sacrifice. A lifetime of service must not mean a lifetime of poverty.

“In a week’s time up to 100,000 nursing staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be striking because they lack that assurance and because staff shortages are putting patients at risk.“Nursing students in higher education should have access to adequate financial support for tuition and the cost of living – and fair pay for the work they do. Until this happens, this downward trend in interest in the profession is likely to continue.”

Ends 

Notes to Editors

Figures from UCAS released today show there were 29,440 accepted applicants onto nursing courses in 2022 in the UK. This is a fall of 3,265 (-10%) from 2021 when 32,705 applicants were accepted. Applicants has also decreased from 59,860 in 2021 to 56,155 in 2022, a fall of 3,705 (-6%).

Acceptances by country of provider

Country of Provider

Year

Difference between 2021 and 2022

Difference between 2019 and 2022

2019

2020

2021

2022

%

#

%

#

England

19,770

25,510

25,815

23,240

-10%

-2,575

18%

3,470

Northern Ireland

845

1045

910

940

3%

30

11%

95

Scotland

3760

4365

4290

3950

-8%

-340

5%

190

Wales

1515

1655

1690

1315

-22%

-375

-13%

-200

Total Acceptances

25,890

32,575

32,705

29,445

-10%

-3,260

14%

3,555

 

Press Office Contacts

Nick Spears, Senior Media Officer
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Claire Nelson, Senior Media Officer
029 2054 6401

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020 7647 3555

Michael Finlayson, Media Officer
020 7647 3459

Out of hours duty press officer
020 7647 3633