Responding to a Recruitment and Employment Confederation study showing an increasing demand for healthcare staff, Royal College of Nursing General Secretary and Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, said:
“The labour choice that too many are making is not to enter nursing at all - there are falling numbers of students on nurse courses this year. People see the profession is not valued and rewarded fairly and are choosing not to join it, with many others quitting early too.
“In the face of surging demand on health and care services, the nursing shortage makes it hard for the system to cope and patients pay the price.
“The government must take responsibility for boosting student numbers with proper support payments and demonstrate the nursing profession is rewarded with fair pay.”
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