MORE than 600 final-year nursing and midwifery students in Northern Ireland have joined the health service workforce early to help battle the coronavirus pandemic.

The students at Queen's, Ulster and the Open universities were in the last six months of their pre-registration education, but have chosen to bring forward their final clinical placement.

They will assist in hospitals and healthcare settings across the north as part of efforts to tackle the Covid-19 crisis.

Final-year students within six months of registration joining the health and social care workforce will be paid.

They will undertake all the duties of a final-year student to complete the learning outcomes of their programme, the universities said.

Chief nursing officer Prof Charlotte McArdle praised the students for "embracing the opportunity to help at this time of great need".

Universities in recent weeks have been working to prepare students for early entry into the workforce.

This has included updates on clinical skills and professional issues for the transition from student to registrant.

Prof Sonja McIlfatrick, head of the School of Nursing at Ulster University, said they were "so proud of our final-year nursing students for stepping up during this global health crisis".

Prof Donna Fitzsimmons, head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen's University, said they were "incredibly proud" and the students would provide "much-needed support".

Donna Gallagher, a senior lecturer in nursing at Open University, also expressed pride, adding: "These nursing students will utilise their skills and knowledge supporting colleagues in providing safe and effective care to those in need during this challenging time."

Health minister Robin Swann praised the students' contribution, adding: "That they are foregoing the final months of their studies so that they can apply their abilities directly to the care of patients is truly remarkable."