The Herald and other press operating in Scotland today have this story from the Royal College of Nursing:

Scotland is currently missing the equivalent of an entire year’s cohort of nursing students, with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) warning that rapid action is necessary to address the declining number of people applying to study nursing. The RCN has stated that more than 3,500 fewer students have started nursing degrees over the last four years than the Scottish Government said were needed, leaving a gap that equals an entire annual intake. This “missing cohort” will impact hospitals, community services, and care settings for years to come. The RCN has urged politicians to take decisive action to promote nursing careers and support individuals who choose to study nursing, including providing clear pathways for career progression and stronger financial support for students.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26009297.nurses-stark-warning-parties-entire-years-cohort-missing/

It’s not on the BBC Scotland News website but I’m guessing that Reporting Scotland Down and Good Mourning Scotland broadcasts will be all over it. The RCN has nothing about nurse recruitment in England and yet:

The Scotsman in February 2025 was front-paging Alarm over fresh drop in applicants for nurses course based on a 2% reduction in applications, from 4 650 to 4 560, six months before ‘clearing’ processes in the week and months before courses start, can fill the missing places.

The ‘alarm’ was from a union rep and, evidence-free, the fall in applications is explained by poor working conditions, which in turn, is based upon a small sample, self-selecting (squeaky wheel) survey.

Not mentioned, of course, is how this level of nurse training compares with other parts of the UK.

So, if Scotland is training 4 560 how many might NHS England be expected to be training? At ten times the population, around 45 000?

It’s 26 330¹, not much over half the number you might expect they’d need.

Why is this? NHS Scotland trains nearly TWICE as many nurses every year

From the British journal of Nursing in April 2024:

This UCAS data are more than just numbers; they reflect the changing dynamics in healthcare education and broader societal trends. The decrease in applications and acceptances could be attributed to various factors, including the intense pressures that health professionals have faced during the pandemic, which might deter potential applicants. The psychological and physical toll of the pandemic on healthcare workers has been widely publicised, possibly influencing the decision-making of those considering the profession.²

What is the Scottish Government doing to encourage applications?

Only in Scotland:

The Scottish Government will pay your tuition fees. Graduates may need to check if the government will pay their fees. The bursary is £10,000, which isn’t means-tested. Funding covers the whole year (52 weeks). If you’re studying an honours degree, you’ll get 75% of the bursary in your fourth year. The bursary includes £5 for daily travel but you can claim for placement expenses above this. You’re expected to use the cheapest public transport. (In Scotland, bus travel is free for Scottish residents under 22 years old). If costs are more than £30 per day, you should stay in local accommodation if possible. In your first year, there’s also a £60 initial expenses allowance.

Additional allowances include: Dependents Allowances – if you have a partner or spouse with a low income; Single Parents’ Allowance; Childcare Allowance – for registered childcare costs; Disabled Students’ Allowance. A discretionary fund is available for students in severe financial hardship.³

Sources:

1. https://www.britishjournalofnursing.com/content/regulars/trends-in-nursing-applications#:~:text=Some%2026%20330%20applicants%20were%20accepted%20onto%20undergraduate,landscape%20and%20perhaps%20a%20higher%20calibre%20of%20applicants.
2. https://www.britishjournalofnursing.com/content/regulars/trends-in-nursing-applications#:~:text=Some%2026%20330%20applicants%20were%20accepted%20onto%20undergraduate,landscape%20and%20perhaps%20a%20higher%20calibre%20of%20applicants.
3. https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/finance/nhs-bursary#ParamedicNursingandMidwiferyStudentBursaryinScotland

The RCN report fed to the media operating in Scotland does not tell you that Scotland trains twice as many nurses every year nor, of course, does it tell you why, as above it has but the bloody gall to say this:

While the Scottish government’s ongoing commitment to the nursing bursary is welcome it has not kept pace with the cost of living. In real terms, its value has fallen significantly, meaning many students cannot meet basic living costs. This is deterring potential applicants and forcing existing students to consider stepping away from their education.

https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/news/s-future-nurses-100426

Nurses in England leave education with tens of thousands in debt, Scots with zero and yet we’re putting them off training!