Majority of nurses would not have trained without bursary, survey finds

According to a survey carried out by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), two thirds of nurses would not have studied to join the profession if they were unable to receive a bursary for their tuition fees and living costs.

The survey collated the responses of 17,000 of its members. It warned the findings suggested government plans to scrap bursaries in England next year would deter thousands of potential nurses.

The survey also found that 80 per cent of nurses were concerned the changes to funding would have a negative impact on patients care, while 90 per cent indicated they disagreed or strongly disagreed with the plans, which are due to come into force from August 2017.

The proposal to scrap bursaries was announced last November as part of the government’s spending review. It claimed the reforms would allow up to 10,000 extra students to be trained by 2020 and help ease workforce shortages.

However, Janet Davies, chief executive and general secretary of the RCN, argued: “The message from nurses is loud and clear –these proposals would reduce the supply of nursing staff and damage patient care.

“These proposals represent a huge gamble with the future of the nursing workforce and the government has not properly evaluated the many risks involved. The government must listen to these concerns and work with the RCN and others to identify a fair, effective and sustainable funding system for nursing education.”