They are instead able to apply for student loans the same as English students undertaking other courses. The decision was met with protests by nursing students and concerns that it would worsen staffing shortages. There are currently more than 40,000 nursing vacancies in England.
Graduate nurses can choose whether to work for the NHS or elsewhere. Supporters of the decision to remove nursing bursaries argue that nursing bursaries are not good value for money if nurses choose not to work for the NHS or do so only for a short period of time. They also state the cancellation of bursaries for nursing students is likely to increase the number of locally trained nurses.
Others are concerned that the removal of bursaries does not taking into consideration that Brexit will exacerbate nursing shortages as overseas trained nurses are forced to leave the UK. The NHS currently has a higher proportion of overseas trained nurses than other European countries. Opponents to the bursary reform also believe that removal of the bursary for nursing students will more heavily impact on potential applications from mature age students who may have invaluable life experience.
Petition to re-instate nursing bursaries
A petition calling for the reinstatement of bursaries in England has recently been established. The petition states that since student funding was removed in 2016 student nursing numbers have reduced by 11 percent. The Royal College of Nursing figures showed 16,580 fewer applicants in September 2018 than in March 2016 and the number of students starting nursing courses in England for 2018-2019 is down from 20,820 in 2017 to 20,250.
Some nurses have taken to social media to state that they would not be a nurse today were it not for the bursary. The petition currently has almost 14,000 signatures and is awaiting a government response. If the petition achieves 100,000 signatures it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
Bursaries are still offered to nursing students in Scotland and Wales. The UK government continues to provide bursaries to help with study and living costs for eligible people studying to become a doctor or a dentist.
For more information on nursing jobs in the UK, contact HealthStaff Recruitment. We offer an all-encompassing recruitment service assists nurses throughout the employment process from job search to placement.