THE Royal College of Nursing (RCN) warned today of a “desperate negative spiral” affecting the profession and called for “urgent action” by the Scottish government to reverse a decline in nursing students.

Latest figures from university admission service Ucas show that the number of accepted places on nursing courses beginning this autumn is 5 per cent down on last year.

A small decrease was also noted last year, but following a 24 per cent drop in applicants in 2023, the overall numbers now stand at 17 per cent of those seen before the Covid-19 pandemic.

RCN Scotland director Colin Poolman said: “The data trend tells us that, while for many people nursing remains a fantastic career, urgent action is needed to secure the future nursing workforce.

“Acceptances onto courses at this stage in the cycle are only a snapshot of progress towards the target. But the previous years’ trend suggests the target will be missed and we face another year with unfilled places.”

Pointing out that the trend has left NHS Scotland reliant on agency and bank nurses to fill gaps, Mr Poolman added: “Scotland does not have the number of nurses now that it needs to meet the demand for care in health and social care services.

“Thousands of registered nurses are missing from health and social care teams across Scotland, impacting on the quality and safety of patient care.

“This is a desperate negative spiral. The Scottish government must take urgent action now and make investment focused on addressing the nursing workforce shortages.

“This means timely and fully funded implementation of the nursing and midwifery taskforce’s recommendations published in February.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “Nursing and midwifery staffing has increased by 19 per cent since 2006. However, we recognise the need to do more to encourage more people into the profession.

“That’s why our nursing and midwifery task force is bringing together partners to drive forward lasting change and support staff, including recommended actions to develop alternative routes to widen access into nursing and midwifery educational pathways.

“Nurses in Scotland are the highest paid in the UK and we provide the highest, non-repayable, non-means tested bursaries at £10,000 for eligible nursing and midwifery students, as well as reimbursement of expenses and a range of allowances to support entry to the profession.”