RCN welcomes rise in applications for nursing degrees

Published: 08 February 2010

The Royal College of Nursing welcomes the news that applications to study nursing at degree level have risen by over 70 percent.  

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter says it is very encouraging that so many people of all ages are choosing a career in nursing, and that they are pursuing the graduate route into the profession. 

“Due to increasing demands on the health service, nursing care in the future will only become more valuable, and at the same time more complex. We need to ensure that there is a good supply of well trained, caring people going into nursing,”  he says.

The RCN highlights the impact of the recent change to make the nursing an all-graduate profession in England. Dr Carter adds:

“We also need to ensure that an adequate number of places are available for people with the skills and the commitment to study nursing. We need to ensure that students have the right financial support and the right pastoral care to ensure that they continue their studies and become excellent nurses.”