RCN: University application rise is misleading

Published: 20 July 2009

The Royal College of Nursing has written to the Guardian in response to an article which reported that applications for nursing degrees have increased by 24%.

In his letter to the editor, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter said that the use of the 24% figure is misleading and masks a worrying recruitment crisis in the nursing workforce.

Dr Carter reiterated the RCN's warning that 200,000 nurses will retire in the next ten years and the UK does not currently have the staff needed to replace them. This he said was in part due to the way that the bursary system operates in England:

"This is partly because of an unfair and discriminatory method of handing out nursing bursaries in England which results in a quarter of would-be nurses dropping out of their courses. This alone costs the taxpayer an estimated £99 million every year" said Dr Carter.

The RCN highlighted that whilst applications may continue to rise, the number of nursing places fall. Dr Carter added:

"With universities cutting available places and the government not funding students in a manner that keeps them in education the reality is we are facing a recruitment time bomb."