Nurses worried sick

The proportion of nursing students saddled with debts of over £10,000 has doubled over the past two years, and more than half have considered dropping out as a result, reveals a survey by Nursing Times and healthcare union Unison.

In 2003, some 6 per cent of students had debts of at least £10,000. The survey of more than 2,000 students found a rise to 13 per cent this year. Over half (56 per cent) say they have considered abandoning studies because of money concerns.