Workforce Shortages in Nursing: The Strain on the NHS in 2025

What will the nursing workforce shortage mean for nursing and healthcare in the UK?

The NHS is facing a challenge that’s becoming harder to ignore: a critical shortage of nurses. The situation has worsened in recent years, and this year, 2025, it’s expected that there could be a shortfall of more than 10,000 nurses. This is no small issue, especially considering the growing demand for healthcare services and the increasing complexity of patient care.

A key factor behind this shortage is the drop in the number of students entering nursing programs. In fact, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has been ringing alarms about the impact this could have on patient care. With fewer new nurses coming through, the strain on existing staff is intensifying, and it’s leading to bigger gaps in care that could affect people across the UK.

Why Are Fewer Students Becoming Nurses?

The reasons for the drop in student nurse numbers are complicated, but financial pressures are a big part of the issue. Since the scrapping of nursing bursaries in 2017, nursing students now have to pay tuition fees, just like any other university student. For many people, this creates a huge barrier, especially for those who come from low-income backgrounds. On top of tuition fees, students also face the high cost of living, making it difficult to pursue nursing as a career.

Nursing can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also sometimes tough due to long hours, high stress, and emotionally draining situations

But money is not the only problem. The nursing profession is often perceived as a demanding and stressful career. Nursing can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also sometimes tough due to long hours, high stress, and emotionally draining situations. Many young people, when looking at their career options, may feel that the personal and financial sacrifices aren’t worth it (find out about nursing pay in 2025 here). The result is a shrinking pool of potential nurses, leaving the NHS struggling to fill the gaps.

What Does This Mean for the NHS?

The nursing shortage is already having a noticeable impact on the NHS, and things could get worse in the coming years. Nurses are essential to the smooth running of the health service. From bedside care to supporting doctors, making clinical decisions, and even managing patient flow, nurses do it all. With fewer nurses available, the workload for those still in the profession becomes overwhelming, leading to burnout and, in some cases, nurses leaving the job.

The implications are huge. Without enough nurses, hospitals and clinics could face longer waiting times, reduced access to essential services, and a decline in the quality of care. Overworked nurses may also struggle to spend the time they need with each patient, leading to less personalized care and potentially worse health outcomes for patients.

There’s also the issue of equity. Some areas of the UK, particularly those with more rural or deprived communities, are hit harder by nursing shortages. People in these areas could find it harder to access care, putting already vulnerable populations at even greater risk.

How Can We Fix It?

Fixing the nursing shortage won’t be easy, but there are steps that can be taken to turn things around.

Financial support for nursing students needs to be reinstated. Offering bursaries or reducing tuition fees could make nursing education more accessible to a wider group of people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. By lowering the financial barrier, the NHS could attract more people into the profession and ensure a steady flow of new nurses.

Offering bursaries or reducing tuition fees could make nursing education more accessible to a wider group of people

Creating clear pathways for career progression is also important. Nurses who feel there’s no room to grow or advance in their careers are more likely to leave the profession. Offering more training opportunities, leadership roles, and professional development can encourage nurses to stay and progress in their careers.

At the same time, the NHS should explore ways to attract qualified nurses from other countries. While this is a short-term solution, recruiting nurses from countries with an excess of healthcare professionals can help fill immediate gaps. However, it’s important that we do this ethically, ensuring that we do not drain resources from countries that are already struggling with their own nursing shortages.

Looking Ahead

The nursing shortage in the UK is a pressing issue that won’t go away without concerted effort. If action isn’t taken, the NHS could face more significant challenges in the coming years, with even longer waiting times and compromised care. Addressing the financial barriers to nursing education, improving working conditions, and creating opportunities for career growth are steps in building a sustainable nursing workforce.