NHS chief nursing officer Ruth May is urging students who’ve just received A-Level results to apply for nursing degrees through clearing.
Following A-Level results day, in England and Wales, on August 18, May wrote to students urging them to apply for a nursing degree through clearing if they are considering a career in the field.
She also congratulated those who have already accepted their places on nursing degrees, and said it was ‘great’ to see that thousands of people have decided to pursue an ‘exciting and rewarding path to become a nurse.’
These figures, May said, are a ‘testament to the bravery and hard work’ of NHS staff throughout the pandemic, which she said has ‘no doubt’ inspired hundreds of today’s successful nursing applicants.
Students urged to apply for nursing degree through UCAS clearing
May said: ‘Joining the NHS was the best decision I ever made so if you are a student thinking about your next steps, please consider applying to study nursing through UCAS clearing.’
Meanwhile, Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay described a career in the NHS or social care as ‘hugely rewarding.’
He said: ‘With a variety of routes in to develop your career and skills, you will undoubtedly be making a difference to people’s lives every single day.’
May pointed out the employability of a nursing degree, calling it ‘one of the most employable degrees around and probably the most rewarding career in the world.’ She is not wrong.
According to UCAS, 99% of nursing graduates are employed or studying within six months of completing their course, with most earning around £22,000 in the beginning. For those who go on to become consultants, their salary could rise to around £70,000.
How to apply for a UCAS clearing nursing degree
Those wanting to go into nursing will need to demonstrate ‘a high level of technical ability and the right soft skills for the job,’ UCAS explains. However, many universities will take nursing students who ‘show an aptitude and passion for care, even if they don’t have a relevant academic record.’
The period for UCAS clearing is now open, and you can apply for courses until October 18th.
Those who study nursing at university will be eligible for the NHS Learning Support Fund, which guarantees a grant of £5,000 a year, as well as ‘specialist’ payments for studying mental health or learning disability nursing.