Applications to study nursing have fallen by nearly a quarter – sparking NHS recruitment fears in Scotland.

University admissions service Ucas said that by the January deadline, 5,070 people had applied to study nursing in Scotland this year, compared to 6,690 in 2022 – a drop of 24%.

It’s the biggest fall in nursing applicants across the UK. Applications have fallen by 18% in England, 17% in Northern Ireland and 22% in Wales – an 18% decline overall across the UK since January 2022.

It is the second consecutive year that nursing applicants have decreased across the UK, while in Scotland, applicant numbers have fallen from 7,920 in 2021.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland said the figures are worrying considering the sector has more than 4,600 nurse vacancies.

The application rate could increase in the coming months, however undergraduate nursing course acceptances fell by 8% in 2022 compared to the previous year.

Eileen McKenna, RCN Scotland associate director, said a nursing career must be made more attractive and must include a fair pay increase.

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