Helen Whyley, Director of the Royal College of Nursing Wales, said:
“Nursing students are a crucial part of the succession planning in Wales to increase nursing numbers. The Royal College of Nursing values the contribution nursing students make in clinical practice especially during this pandemic and has had their safety at the forefront of these arrangements especially in relation to the availability of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). The opt in pathway for year 2/ first 6 months of year 3 are there to allow students to increase their time in clinical practice from 50% to 80%, allowing them apply their knowledge and skills that they have acquired to date. They will continue to be students and will be working under the supervision of a registered nurse at all times and risk assessments will have been undertaken to ensure their safety. Students will be remunerated during this period and will also continue to receive their bursary and any student loans.
For students who opt out of this revised structure for achieving their nursing degree, the RCN wants to see them fully supported. This is not a one size fits all initiative. The guidance has to be flexible to support all students regardless of their choice and all universities need to offer suitable alternatives. Also, it is essential that they maintain their bursaries and loans as we don’t want to see any nursing student in Wales disadvantaged.”
