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HEIW statement on pre-registration nurse training fill rates

published 20/9/2024

 

Initial figures indicate an overall Autumn fill rate for pre-registration nurse training in Wales of 1,585 – an increase of 8.5%.

Despite falling numbers, the pool of applicants continues to support strong recruitment. Our current figures – with clearing still open – show that we are on course to match last year’s Autumn adult nursing recruitment figure of 1,023. This does not include students who progress directly into the second year of programmes, having completed a level four healthcare support worker programme.

A further 700 places will be available for those wishing to start training in Spring 2025.

Initial fill rates for child nursing are currently at 182, an indicative increase of 11% on last Autumn, with learning disability nursing at 56, an increase of 66%.

In mental health nursing we have currently recruited 324, an increase of 37%.

Final figures will be available once clearing and recruitment close in October.

Our nursing workforce is a critical part of NHW Wales, and we continue to work closely with our Higher Education Partners to maximise recruitment. These projects focus on ensuring that any person in Wales who wants to become a Nurse, and who has the ability and values to do so, can access high-quality support to gain entry to a programme of study. We have been leading on several initiatives including:

  • Building links with Further Education Colleges to provide opportunities for students who unfortunately didn’t meet the required tariff points or didn’t have, for example, the skills and confidence to apply for pre-registration nursing degree programmes.  Two initiatives currently running are “Healthcare Connect” and “Fasttrack to Nursing”.  From these initiatives we anticipate 70 students will join degree programmes in Spring 2025. We are working to scale these across Wales to maximise the opportunity they provide.
  • Creating more part-time nursing degree opportunities, particularly in rural areas, exemplified by HEIW’s work with the Open University.
  • Working with Powys Teaching Health Board, Bangor University and Grwp Llandrillo Menai on an “Aspiring Nurse Programme” designed to provide opportunities for Powys residents to train and undertake all their placements exclusively in Powys.
  • Promotion and marketing of the learning disabilities nursing field by the introduction of student ambassadors
  • Providing opportunities for support workers in mental health services to undertake stand-alone modules at education level 4. These provide them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to deliver high quality care and count towards year one of a nursing degree.