Number of nurses entering education in Wales falling, Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), shows

Figures from UCAS released today show a 22% drop in the number of nurses entering education in Wales in 2022, compared to the year before. 

Helen Whyley, RCN Wales Director, said: “This is massively disappointing. With 3,000 registered nurse vacancies in the NHS in Wales, service demands ever increasing and the quality and safety of patient care at risk, Wales simply cannot afford to see a drop in nursing student application and acceptance rates. 

Clearly, people in Wales are seeing the pressure that the nursing profession is under – and the poor pay and benefits that nursing staff receive in return for the safety critical work that they do – and are choosing not to enter into the profession. 

The Welsh government must ensure that nursing is seen as a rewarding profession, and with strike action due to take place over the next couple of weeks, it needs to significantly increase the 2022 pay award now.” 

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  

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. 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, please contact the RCN Wales Communications Hub on 02920680769.