UNIVERSITY Campus Suffolk is struggling to attract enough future nurses to fill its degree course today.Throughout the country fewer people are applying to nursing degrees, and although UCS has been more successful at recruiting students than other universities, it is still hoping to get more people interested.

UNIVERSITY Campus Suffolk is struggling to attract enough future nurses to fill its degree course today.

Throughout the country fewer people are applying to nursing degrees, and although UCS has been more successful at recruiting students than other universities, it is still hoping to get more people interested.

Carol Smith, associate dean at UCS and head of pre-registration nursing, said she hoped the recent news that students on the degree course would get a bursary of £6,531 would encourage more people to apply.

She said: “We do have some spaces left for September and some for January.

“Nationally there has been a drop in applications for nursing posts. There are more courses available for people to choose from so we have to compete.

“There was the negative impact of not having jobs which was published about a year ago. But there are jobs out there and we hope people will want to do then.

“Nursing is a career, it's not a job. It is about care, compassion and also about leading patient-led services.”

From September students on the three-year BSc nursing degree will get a non means-tested bursary from the East of England Strategic Health Authority as part of a two-year pilot scheme.

The money had previously only been available to students studying the diploma in nursing.

UCS said the news was particularly welcome because nursing students often find it difficult to take part-time jobs while they are studying because of the work placement commitments they have.

An open day at the faculty of health, wellbeing and science at University Campus Suffolk will be held on Saturday from 11am to 1.30pm, for those wanting to find out more.

Potential students can also visit www.ucs.ac.uk or call the faculty recruitment line on 07894599415.

Are you a student nurse who has been unable to find a job? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.