Record number of teens opting to become nurses after being inspired by pandemic
RECORD numbers of teenagers are opting to become nurses — and most were inspired to join by the Covid crisis. Applications by 18-year-olds in England have surged 38 per cent to 7,105 since 2019, university admission figures show. Overall, a record 28,815 students of all ages made a nursing course their first choice when applying […]
RECORD numbers of teenagers are opting to become nurses — and most were inspired to join by the Covid crisis.
Applications by 18-year-olds in England have surged 38 per cent to 7,105 since 2019, university admission figures show.
Overall, a record 28,815 students of all ages made a nursing course their first choice when applying to university.
Seven in ten said they were inspired by nurses’ professionalism in the pandemic, the University and Colleges Admissions Service and Health Education England found.
One in ten said it was the main factor behind their choice.
However, a stark gender gap still exists, with women nine times more likely to apply for a nursing qualification.
Ruth May, chief nursing officer for NHS England, said: “The last couple of years, difficult as they have been, have shone a spotlight on the value of our nursing profession and the rewarding careers on offer in every corner of the NHS.”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the NHS was on track to recruit 50,000 more nurses by 2024.
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He said: “The extraordinary achievements of staff during the pandemic inspiring a new generation to become the future of our health and care services.”
Patricia Marquis, the Royal College of Nursing’s director for England, said the increase was encouraging but warned: “There are already significant staff shortages. Many of these students won’t qualify until 2024.”