Scotland is facing a deepening nursing crisis, with the equivalent of an entire year’s intake of student nurses now missing from the system, according to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
The union warned that falling enrolment numbers and rising dropout rates are threatening the future of healthcare services, with more than 3,500 potential nurses lost over the past four years.
Fewer students are enrolling in nursing degrees than the Scottish Government says are required, creating what the RCN describes as a “missing cohort”.
Since 2019, the number of students accepted onto undergraduate nursing courses has dropped by 11%, while applications have also declined significantly.
At the same time, nearly one in five students expected to qualify in 2024 did not complete their course, with financial pressures and poor placement experiences cited as key reasons.
The RCN has warned that failure to address the issue now could have lasting consequences for Scotland’s health service.
RCN Scotland executive director Colin Poolman said: “The worrying decline in people choosing the profession makes it clear that the next Scottish government must do more to promote nursing careers and support the individuals who do decide to study nursing.”
He added that action must include “a clear pathway for career progression, safe staffing and stronger financial support for students.”
The union stressed that implementing recommendations from the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce will be crucial to reversing the trend.
Poolman warned: “Unless decisive action is taken, the loss of this cohort will translate into fewer nurses on wards, in communities and in vital public services across Scotland.”
The warning comes ahead of the upcoming Scottish Parliament election, with healthcare staffing expected to be a key issue for voters.
With demand for healthcare services continuing to rise, the shortage of trained nurses could place additional strain on hospitals and community care.
The RCN argues that without immediate intervention, Scotland risks embedding today’s staffing crisis well into the next decade.