These students, in the last six months of their pre-registration education, have elected to take their final clinical placement now to support the HSC during this crisis. Nursing and Midwifery students will play a vital role in delivering high quality care in hospitals and healthcare settings across Northern Ireland during this difficult time.

The Nursing & Midwifery Council have worked with?the?Government?Departments of the four nations?to develop legislation to enable final year students within six months of registration to go into the NHS/HSC?in a paid capacity. They will undertake all the duties of a final year student to complete the learning outcomes of their programme whilst providing much needed support to clinical teams on the front line.

Chief Nursing Officer Professor Charlotte McArdle paid tribute to the nursing and midwifery students:

“It is highly commendable that our nursing and midwifery students are embracing the opportunity to help at this time of great need. As senior students I know they have much to offer and will be a valuable asset to our HSC system. I wish to extend a personal thank you to all nursing and midwifery students and assure them of my full support as they rise to this challenge.”