MSP calls for more support for student nurses

08 April 2010

Rhoda Grant, Labour’s spokesperson on health in the Highlands and Islands has released official figures showing that around one in four students in each of the two latest year groups did not complete nursing courses at the Highland campus of Stirling University.

For those who began the course in 2005, 123 started the course and 92 completed it.

Only 75 per cent completed the course.

Of those who did not complete the course 11 were awarded a credit for a Cert HE or Dip HE , but are not qualified to practice as a nurse.

For those who began the course in 2006, 162 started the course, and 104 completed it.

Of those who did not complete the course, 14 left with a credit for a Cert HE or Dip HE.

Similarly, 75 per cent completed the course

In midwifery, in total over the two year groups , there were 22 who began studying and 15 who completed their course. 7 withdrew.

Mrs. Grant said,

" The main reasons cited for student nurses dropping out of these courses include financial difficulties, problems with childcare support, poor experiences with clinical placements and job prospects.

"The Scottish Government needs to do more to address these issues and ensure that support is provided to enable the successful completion of courses.

"The health service requires more nurses to address the challenges presented by the numbers who will reach retiral age in community nursing over the next decade.

"RCN Scotland indicates that this will involve 1 in every 3 community nurses.

"At the same time, the demand for nursing services in the community will increase."

The average cost of training a student nurse over the three year pre-registration course is over £40,000.

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