Student Nurses In Scotland Fear Nursing Crisis

Online, November 20, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Advance Recruitment
Figures show that the intake of students into the nursing profession has been cut by almost one-fifth in two years. The student intake for nursing and midwifery was 3,060 last year (2011), falling to 2,700 this year and again to 2,430 next year at a time when more than one-third of nurses are over the age of 50. The warning came from members of Scottish Parliament who said Scotland will see gaps widening over the next decade whilst growing numbers retire and numbers of nurses and midwives coming into the profession are cut.

The Royal College of Nursing reports a total reduction in student intake numbers of more than 19% in two years, meaning the overall numbers of newly qualified nurses entering the workforce will fall as these reductions feed through into the number graduating in the next few years. The Scottish Government have been urged to work with the RCN and other unions when they consider their plans for the student intake numbers for 2013-14 to determine the appropriate number of students required to meet the future health and social care needs of Scotland. The reduction in numbers has been said to set a balance between ensuring the right number of nurses and midwives for the future while also minimising the risk of oversupply. According to latest figures, there are over 21,000 nurses and midwives aged 50 or over, accounting for 33.4% of the workforce, compared to 2009 where only 28% of staff were aged 50 or over.

The current improvements in student attrition have resulted in the number of students in training reaching an all-time high of 10,384 and while figures in a recent report have shown an improvement in the number of students who leave their course before completion by 2% this is unlikely to offset the reduction in intake numbers.

Nick Langley, from medical sales recruitment agency believes 'The fact is that the health service has to make cuts across the board in order to save money.' Expressing 'Whether spending money on people or medical devices, it all comes down to available cash. Companies supplying medical devices and equipment to the NHS are constantly having their margins attacked. The NHS wants more for less.' Although cheaper products can work out more costly if performance is poor.

Unfortunately NHS cuts mean tougher times for all companies selling into it, which in turn has an impact on medical sales recruitment agencies. Advance Recruitment, however, has long-established relationships with personnel working for many leading and up & coming medical device companies, so even in tough times, they have access to many medical sales jobs. 'Cheaper imports are hampering profitability of many medical sales organisations but they are fighting back by employing sales representatives who sell using cost benefit analysis techniques.' Nick Langley.