Hi
I'm Dot. I'm a 3rd year student nurse. Due to qualify in Sept 2024.
I am starting my consolidation Placement which is just over 3 months long and then I will be a fully qualified nurse.
I gave up my well paid job to be a nurse due to COVID. I was sat at home working on my laptop and all I wanted to do was outside helping others. I joined the Royal Voluntary Service and was doing shopping for people that were shielding. I applied to uni and the rest was history.
Student nurses, on top of doing academic work, need to do 2300 hours of practice placement. Basically we pay University tuition for them so send us to work full time for free. During placement we do not get paid and are not allowed to work past the European directive of 48 hours a week. This means that I can't even work 10 hours a week (paid) because I am breaking the rules (apart from working like a dog). Our academic year is much longer than standard university academic year due to placement as well and due to the fact we have so much to learn.
We get student loan but it is not sufficient if you have a life and want to pay your bills. I can't fall back on my parents so I'm basically trying to fund it myself. I have managed almost 3 years and didn't ask for any money from anyone but the time has come when I'm in a long placement and I know I won't be able to pay my rent/bills.
I don't really know what else I can do to help me survive so I'm asking for your help. Anything can help.