Today the Nursing and Midwifery Council has announced the decision to allow final year nursing students again to work for the NHS during the pandemic, UNISON national nursing officer Stuart Tuckwood said:
“The NHS is in desperate need of help. But asking student nurses only some way into their training to do paid work in the NHS carries risks for everybody.
“Students need proper supervision and time to develop their skills and knowledge. This allows them to become the well-trained professionals the country needs.
“Many stepped up to help the NHS and the country through the first wave, with huge disruption to their training. But they’ve not received enough support and are still paying tuition fees.
“Students need consistency and protection. A bad experience could cause them to drop out, which would be a disaster.
“The NHS is facing unprecedented problems. Ministers must do everything possible to help by removing fees and fully supporting students financially until they qualify.”