THE Royal College of Nursing has welcomed a U-turn decision to pay student nurses up to the end of their contracts after national outcry.

The shadow health secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, broke the news last week that paid placements were being terminated early despite the schemes being advertised as six month contracts.

Health Education England (HEE) later confirmed the decision which it said was made with the blessing of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMS), the Council of Deans (CoD) and unions.

Read more: Student nurses feel 'cast aside' over contract update 

It meant student nurses - many of whom who moved out of their family home - would be left without any income.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) described the period as one of "confusion and distress" for student nurses who stepped up to work during the pandemic.

Mike Adams, the Royal College of Nursing Director for England, said: “We welcome the clarity offered by this statement, confirming that those students in England who stepped forward to work during this pandemic will have their contracts honoured.

“We are additionally pleased to see confirmation that any change to existing contracts must be voluntarily ended by the student, rather than solely by the employer – a key demand from students, who continue to be well represented by the RC Student Committee.

“Student members are advised to contact RCND or their local representatives for support with any individual concerns."

The changes would have affected more than 18,000 student nurses on the frontline.

Jess Sainsbury, chair of the RCN Student Committee, said those she represents now feel "reassured" but says support for student nurses on placements must continue as things return to normal. 

The chair said: “Student nurses in England who are currently working hard on extended placements will feel reassured to hear that their contracts will be honoured.

A lack of clarity and information around this issue has led to confusion and distress, at a time when those who have responded to the pandemic simply want to focus on their role and do the best job they can for their patients.

“As things return to normal, student nurses entering supernumerary placements must be supported properly so they can continue to learn and add value.

“Student nurses should not pay for their training and recruitment into the profession needs urgent and proper funding now.

“It’s vital that the government responds to the RCN’s calls to forgive existing debt, abolish student-funded tuition fees for future students and introduce universal, living maintenance grants that reflect actual student need.”

The Telegraph & Argus has hit 1,000 signatures on its Support Our Student Nurses campaign petition - share and sign by visiting the change.org page here.

The T&A is calling for tuition fees for student nurses, midwives and paramedics to be scrapped as a thanks for supporting hospitals in the pandemic.

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