Student nurses in England will be paid to assist hospitals during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Student nurses and midwives who wish to assist with the NHS’s coronavirus response will be paid for a six-month placement, according to a letter from senior nurses.

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Under the arrangements, students in the final six months of their undergraduate programme would be paid at Agenda for Change Band 4 and may later be able to choose to join the NMC’s new Emergency COVID-19 Temporary Register and as part of a transition move to a Band 5 salary. While students in the second year or the first six months of their final year of their undergraduate programme would be paid at Agenda for Change Band 3 and any hours undertaken will contribute towards their course. Agenda for Change Band 4 salaries begin at £21,892 while band 3 salaries start at £19,737.

Ruth May, the Chief Nursing Officer for England, alongside Health Education England Chief Nurse Mark Radford have written to student nurses confirming the details.

Step up to support our NHS.

They said; “You will be all too aware of the challenges that the COVID-19 outbreak is having on the NHS and the potential impact on patients, their health and their life.“

“We know many of you have already been in contact with your university and current placement to see how your skills and experience can help.

“We are grateful for the drive and dedication which characterises you and characterises your chosen professions.”

Before adding; “we are writing to you today to ask you to step up to support our NHS at this critical time.”

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The letter also clarifies that “it will not be possible for students to be supernumerary” and student loans will be unaffected.

Universities have now begun the task of contacting students, with priority being given to third-year nursing students in the final six months of their course.