From rainbows to strikes - what happened to the NHS and what can we do?

I'm really nervous about potentially not having an NHS and what this may mean for everyone in society who may not be able to access healthcare, so I'm really hoping that our government helps us out I'm really passionate about working in adult nursing in the future and weighing up my options. Are you still accepting applicants for September? I'm thinking of applying

I'm really nervous about potentially not having an NHS and what this may mean for everyone in society who may not be able to access healthcare, so I'm really hoping that our government helps us out I'm really passionate about working in adult nursing in the future and weighing up my options. Are you still accepting applicants for September? I'm thinking of applying Yes we are still accepting applicants for September and here is our adult nursing page- https://www.tees.ac.uk/undergraduate_courses/nursing_&_health/bsc_(hons)_nursing_studies_(adult).cfm

I couldn't personally do any healthcare professions, it's not my area, but I've got huge respect for all the people that do! Having an NHS is a real pride of our country and the fact that it's been pushed aside and taken for granted really concerns me. What would you say is something that could be done to get more people into these jobs where they can help so many people? Have a great day!

I cant imagine a future without the NHS. It's such an integral part of our culture and so important to how we work as a country and I have nothing but the upmost respect for everyone who works within it. How have you found teaching student nurses over the years? Has there been a switch in how student nurses feel before entering the profession, and how they are trained to cope in a ever squeezed NHS?

What do you think is the best way of boosting morale for nurses in your professional opinion? I think it's really important to ensure we're listening to people who are in the profession before passing judgments on what we think they need from the outside.

I can't imagine that either. Over the years teaching students I don't think much has changed, they are keen and enthusiastic and mostly enjoy their experience in placement. What has changed is that the patients who are in hospital are more unwell then they used to be. Changes in practice such as the development of pre-assessment clinics and advances in some surgical procedures such as orthopaedics means that the length of stay for some patients is shorter than it used to be. This means that the patients who are in hospital are the ones who need quite intensive treatments and care. What has changed when teaching students is the advanced roles that nurses can undertake such as Advanced Practitioner roles in all fields of nursing, Nurse Consultant roles for learning disabilities, mental health and adult nursing means that as educators we must make sure we are preparing student for more advanced roles. Non medical prescribing is a really good example, nurses leave their undergraduate course with more understanding of pharmacology and the ability to join a prescribing course soon after they qualify, which is great progress and gives nurses fabulous employment opportunities.
In terms of increasing the morale of nurses I think it is important for nurses to feel valued not only financially but to remind them of the difference they make to peoples lives. I think at the moment the narrative around healthcare is focusing on the negative aspects and not on the positive.

Thank you for your question
Ann

i wonder if more students will go into private sector eventually..?

I think the whole pay issue is larger than people realise. When you think about it;

Barbers: £20 p/h
Hairdressers: £50p/h

Just to give a few examples of what people earn per hour. These are all of these are skilled jobs however, only one requires you to pay out of your own pocket to study for an extended period of time. Especially during COVID we were told to clap for them but when it comes to increasing their salaries they are vilified? Yet we are expectant of Dr's/nurses to be ok earning £14p/h? It makes no sense that their salaries have not increased since 2001 and inflation has really soared during the same period. I don't blame them for going abroad where they are truly valued and paid accordingly. The average MP earns over £80,000 per year and claims on expenses as a public servant yet our taxes are able to cover those costs and not the NHS. It's disgusting.

As an about-to-qualify student, I've considered it. I decided that if I wasn't been offered a job in the unit I wanted to work in, I would look at private healthcare. Even considering it made me feel like a turncoat. Thankfully I have a job on my preferred unit, but I know some of my cohort are not joining the NHS but joining the prison service as nurses and a few in other areas. But I really believe in the NHS and healthcare that is free for all, so am glad I have a job lined up in the NHS.

Hello! This is very scary and I hate to think of a world without NHS Is there anything that students/unis can do to help make a difference?

I hate to see this happen to such a strong institution in our country. Do you think the number of people interested in going into nursing is directly related to the wage cuts or to shifting values in society? Or even to a variety of combining factors? Pay our NHS!