Nursing students must not be used to plug gaps on wards – RCN

Nursing students must not be used to plug staff shortages in the NHS, the Royal College of Nursing has warned.

The nursing union said clinical placements on nursing courses must be protected, and students should not count towards staff figures.

Last year a survey of more than 1,400 nurses in Scotland found almost 40% said that student nurses were not always “supernumerary” on their shifts – surplus to the usual staffing requirement.

Students on placement are meant to observe rather than take part in significant caring responsibilities.

In December, the Health Secretary acknowledged a “worry” about the number of nursing students being accepted onto courses being below the annual target.

Figures for the academic year were more than 1,000 below the Scottish Government target of 4,536 places for nursing.

The RCN says the Scottish Government must complete a review of nursing student finance.

Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland director, said: “Nursing is an amazing career, but the goodwill of our future nurses is being taken for granted.

“Students are routinely reporting that their learning is being compromised.

“Students on placement should be observing complex skills from registered professionals and exposed to a range of situations which prepare them for life on the job.

“It is unacceptable that students across Scotland are having their education opportunities diminished and are being used to prop up understaffed wards following years of under investment in the nursing profession.”

Beth Moffatt, 21, a third year nursing student at Edinburgh University, said: “When there are shortages on placement, my fellow students report being put down as members of staff, even though they are students, and our learning suffers.

“Students must be given the opportunity to observe and learn, rather than treated as another member of nursing staff.”

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.