Nursing students pay university fees of more than £9,000 a year, which has caused applicant numbers to fall significantly, following the ending in 2017 of the grant to support nursing students.
Now the results of a report by the Royal College of Nursing, seen by the Guardian, suggest as many as 46% of those already enrolled - about 32,000 students - could walk away, abandoning the prospect of a career in the NHS altogether.
The cost of living was the top reason for students considering an early exit, with seven in 10 (70%) citing "financial difficulties" as a factor.
"I had a realisation that when I qualify and get paid, after I pay off my percentage of tuition, I am left with the same pay I was earning at McDonald's at age 18," said a thirdyear undergraduate nursing student in Lancashire.
"I wasted so much time and put my sweat, blood and tears into something that is burning me out before I start and isn't even paying enough.
It makes me sad for myself that this is the profession I chose." Six in 10 respondents (58%) said witnessing low morale and burnout among qualified nurses had also prompted them to consider ditching their nursing degree.
Prof Nicola Ranger, the acting general secretary and chief executive of the RCN, said: "Nursing is a highly skilled and amazing profession, but the next generation of nurses are considering walking away before they have graduated."
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Farage heckled and party called racist at first speech as MP
Nigel Farage was yesterday heckled by anti-racism protesters at his first event in London since his election where he said he would \"professionalise\" Reform UK and displace the Conservatives as the voice of opposition.
Lib Dems to make social care their top priority after party's best ever result
The Liberal Democrats plan to use their best-ever contingent of 71 MPs to push Keir Starmer to begin crossparty talks on a new plan for social care, saying the issue was raised repeatedly by voters during their election campaign.
Gaza stance lost Labour seats to pro-Palestinian independents
Senior Labour figures have acknowledged the party's stance on Gaza cost them seats in Thursday's election, after four of its MPs unexpectedly lost to pro-Palestinian independents.
Sunak 'sorry for loss' as Tories prepare for leadership contest
Rishi Sunak apologised to the country yesterday after his catastrophic election loss and said he had heard voters' \"anger and disappointment\" and their desire for change.
Running the bar dry Inside Labour's night of elation (and Tory woes)
Keir Starmer saw the moment he would become prime minister in the same manner as the rest of the nation, on the sofa at a friend's home, watching the BBC exit poll with his wife and children.
After a historic victory Starmer now hopes to win over the people
The hand of history rested only lightly on their shoulders, but they could not shake it off completely.
Starmer sweeps into No 10 with vow to rebuild Britain
Keir Starmer entered Downing Street as Labour prime minister after an historic election victory, promising to rebuild Britain “brick by brick” and provide security for millions of working-class families.
Chinese Electric Car Firms Hit With Extra EU Tariffs
The EU's top trade official, Valdis Dombrovskis, yesterday brushed aside concerns of trade war retaliation from Beijing against European business after the European Commission imposed duties on Chinese electric vehicles.
Gaza Ceasefire Proposal Is A 'Breakthrough', Says US, But Hurdles Remain
The White House has described a new Hamas ceasefire proposal for Gaza as a "breakthrough" establishing a framework for a possible hostage deal, but warned there remained difficult negotiations ahead over how the agreement would be implemented.
Harris Favourite As S Replacement Candidate For Democrats
As Joe Biden faces increasing pressure to withdraw his US presidential candidacy following his poor debating performance last week, Kamala Harris has emerged as the frontrunner to replace him.
