Without the bursary, two thirds would not have chosen nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing Workforce Studies
• Healthcare Education Funding

Background:

• The availability of financial support significantly influences career choices in healthcare.
• Understanding factors that attract individuals to nursing is crucial for workforce planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of training bursaries on the decision of individuals to pursue a career in nursing.
• To quantify the proportion of nurses whose entry into the profession was contingent on financial assistance.

Main Methods:

• A large-scale survey was conducted among registered nurses.
• The survey questionnaire included specific questions regarding the role of bursaries in their career decision-making process.

Main Results:

• Two-thirds of surveyed nurses indicated they would not have joined the nursing profession if a bursary had not been available during their training.
• This finding underscores the substantial reliance on financial aid for nursing education and recruitment.

Conclusions:

• Training bursaries are a critical factor in attracting and retaining nurses.
• Policy interventions supporting financial aid for nursing students are essential for maintaining an adequate healthcare workforce.