RCN Wales welcomes a small increase in applications for nursing studies next year.
This increase appears to be because of a substantial increase in applications from international students, while there is a decline in Welsh student applications by 6%.
Helen Whyley, Director RCN Wales, said:
“We wholeheartedly welcome applications from international students who bring with them a diverse wealth of experience and perspectives to offer to the people of Wales. However, we need to ensure that they stay practicing in Wales when they complete their studies, otherwise we will have a significant deficit in the nursing workforce in years to come.
“The Welsh government must invest in nursing to ensure that all newly qualified nurses, domiciled and international, want a career here in Wales. This needs to include fair pay as well as flexible working opportunities and career pathways. Without this there is a real risk that international newly qualified nurses will seek to work elsewhere in the world.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Please find a breakdown of application data for 2019-2024 below provided by UCAS:
-Applicants by country of provider (Number of applicants applying to Universities in Wales) - APPLICANTS DOMICILED IN THE UK WHO SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS TO UNIVERSITIES IS WALES
|
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
% change 2024-23 |
% change 2024-22 |
|
Wales |
3,160 |
2,990 |
3,890 |
3,390 |
2,550 |
2,290 |
-10% |
-32% |
-Applicants by country of provider (Number of applicants applying to Universities in Wales) - APPLICANTS DOMICILED IN WALES WHO SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS TO UNIVERSITIES IN WALES AND THE OTHER HOME COUNTRIES
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 % change 2024-23 % change 2024-22 Wales 1,980 1,920 2,250 1,770 1,270 1,200 -6% -32%
-Applicants by country of provider (Number of applicants applying to Universities in Wales) - INTERNATIONALLY DOMICILED APPLICANTS WHO SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS TO UNIVERSITIES IN WALES
|
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
% change 2024-23 |
% change 2024-22 |
|
Wales |
140 |
100 |
190 |
240 |
280 |
760 |
171% |
217% |
Further information can be found on the UCAS website.
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. The RCN promotes the interests of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies, and voluntary organisations.
For more information, contact the RCN Wales press office at 02920 680 769 or email mediawales@rcn.org.uk
