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A third of student nurses have been left alone in charge of patients, according to a survey of 1,000 students for the Royal College of Nursing presented to its annual congress last week. Sylvia Denton, RCN president, said: "A serious lack of registered nurses to support and guide students is endangering patient care." The survey also noted a shortage of practical placements. Half of all nursing students said they had considered leaving the course because of pressure and stress.