Student nurses share financial hardship and placement concerns with deputy CNO

Student nurses have spoken out about the growing challenges they face during their training, including financial strain and the demands of placement hours, in a meeting with senior nursing figures.

In a virtual roundtable led by Acosia Nyanin, deputy chief nursing officer (DCNO) for NHS England (NHSE), and co-chaired by Lucy Muchina, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) deputy chief nurse, members of the RCN Students Committee and RCN student ambassadors voiced their concerns and hopes for the future of the profession.

Students highlighted several key issues during the meeting, including financial hardship, limited job opportunities, placement pressures and the need for curriculum reform, including a greater focus on health promotion and prevention.

The meeting, which took place last week, is part of ongoing consultations for the development of a new professional strategy for nursing and midwifery in England.

The strategy, which is being led by the chief nursing officer (CNO) for England, Duncan Burton and will be published later this year, was announced as part of the 10-year plan earlier this summer.

Mr Burton, who has been in post since July 2024, is currently working on the strategy which is set to focus on supporting nurse progression, student attrition rates and clinical placement opportunities.

During the meeting, Ms Nyanin stressed the need to include all voices, especially those of student nurses, in shaping the future of nursing.

‘To develop a strategy that truly meets the needs of our communities and our workforce, we must listen to those on the frontline of training and education,’ she said.

‘This includes understanding generational expectations, shifting population health needs, and addressing global issues like climate change and emerging diseases.’

She also outlined 10 strategic focus areas, including health promotion, education reform, and delivering more care in communities.

RCN deputy chief nurse Lucy Muchina said: ‘This event was about the RCN raising the voice of students with NHS England, confronting current obstacles and shaping long-term solutions.

‘If the government wants to see the delivery of the 10-Year Health Plan, they must listen to student voices and respond.’

Last month, the government launched its ‘Graduate Guarantee’ for nursing and midwifery which aims to ensure new job posts are easier to access by ‘removing barriers’ for employers and delivering ‘seamless transition’ from training to employment.

Latest figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) recorded minimal growth in the number of students accepted onto a nursing programme in England and Northern Ireland, and a decline elsewhere in the UK.Last December, the RCN warned that 32,000 student nurses could drop out of their courses by the end of the next parliament, enough to fill every nursing vacancy in the NHS in England.

Nursing in Practice has long reported how GP practices can be reluctant to take on nursing students because of financial constraints and a limited number of practice supervisors or assessors.

An exclusive Nursing in Practice survey revealed earlier this year that almost 60% of practice nursing staff are not given any time for professional development or training on a weekly basis.