The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has issued a stark warning that the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) reforms are at risk due to a broken nurse education model.  

The RCN contends that the current system is failing to attract and retain enough nurses, jeopardizing vital reforms for the NHS. 

It points to data showing that universities admitted only 130 additional nursing students this year compared to 2023. This meager increase falls far short of the government’s ambitious targets for workforce growth.  

Executive Director of the RCN England, Patricia Marquis apportions the blame to the “huge debt and inadequate financial support” placed on nursing students, which she says deters many potential nurses from entering the field. This financial burden, coupled with the perception of stagnant salaries, creates a discouraging environment for prospective nurses. 

To address this critical issue, the RCN is urging the government to implement immediate measures, including loan forgiveness programs for those who commit to working in public services like the NHS, increased financial support for nursing students, and pay reform to attract and retain qualified nurses. 

The College’s campaign to improve conditions for nursing students forms part of its campaign towards reforming the NHS. It proposes that solving the ongoing health crisis requires more than just reform; it demands investment.