Norfolk healthcare lecturers say range of factors behind fall in nursing applications
There are currently 43,000 unfilled roles in England's registered nurse workforce, according to figures from the Royal College of Nursing
Rising essential costs, a fall funding and misconceptions about the profession are behind a recent fall in those wanting to study nursing - according to two healthcare lecturers in Norfolk.
It comes as the University of East Anglia has launched its 'This Nurse Can' campaign, after UCAS received a record low 30,550 thousand applications to study nursing this year before the January deadline, across the UK.
There are currently 43,000 unfilled roles in England's registered nurse workforce, according to figures from the Royal College of Nursing.
"Sometimes you make a difference by just interacting with a patient, a family member or a child"
Simon Rose is a paramedic and also a lecturer in Paramedic Science at UEA.
He told us why these figures aren't looking good, right now: "We've got things like the cost of living, which is really high.
"Over the years the Government has changed it's policy over funding options.
"There used to be fully funded bursary, but they are no longer in place.
"As an example, that's seen a reduction in mature students. Those who already have families and mortgages and can't afford to change careers into something like nursing."
Joe Ellis-Gage is a qualified nurse and also works at the uni: "The most important skill you need for nursing is communication.
"You are constantly talking to those who are anxious, stressed or in distress."
He told us about the best part of his job:
"It's often just the little things that you can do, where you realise that you can make a difference to somebody's life.
Lots of people can learn the practical skills, but sometimes you make a difference by just interacting with a patient, a family member or a child."
What's being done to tackle this issue?
The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan aims to see an extra 190 thousand nurses working there, by 2037.