Fear of becoming a nurse

I want to be a nurse for the obvious reason of wanting to help people.However, I am so scared because of the state of the NHS in the UK, 2500 unpaid hours at uni, and hearing abt nurses being mistreated
I am doing my a levels currently and am wondering if this is irrational? Or other career ideas as I really do feel passionate about it but I don't want to be exploited

thank you

Go and apply for a nursing degree at your chosen universities.
You'll make a fantastic nurse if you give yourself the opportunity to prove your are capable. Make sure you have the necessary entry requirements for your chosen universities okay.
Don't worry about the state of how the NHS is currently in because it will get better eventually when the government decides to put the money back into it.
You do 4600 hours of which - 2300 hours are your university studying weeks, 2300 hours of practical training on placements in either hospitals or GP surgeries etc.
You are paid in some way with the NHS learning grants which is not repayable. You'll be able to get loans which you have to repay.
Don't think you are alone in this situation with unpaid work as every student nurse has gone through this at some point in there nursing careers.
Rest assure that not every student nurse is being mistreated as you'll find that they are being picked on during certain placements, you do unfortunately get good and bad placements everywhere you go and you might be lucky enough to never experience a bad placement. You don't let a bad placement put you off.
You want to be a nurse for a good reason so make it your ambitions to become this good nurse and get yourself into university.
A NHS registered midwife
@Emily_B as a registered adult nurse can you give this person so of your good knowledge about becoming a nurse.

Thank you for the reassurance haha though I really do fear the long hours
I feel that i will end up applying regardless for nursing
Thank you

I want to be a nurse for the obvious reason of wanting to help people.However, I am so scared because of the state of the NHS in the UK, 2500 unpaid hours at uni, and hearing abt nurses being mistreated
I am doing my a levels currently and am wondering if this is irrational? Or other career ideas as I really do feel passionate about it but I don't want to be exploited
thank you

Hey!
Doing a nursing degree and becoming a nurse is an amazing thing to do. It is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding degree and job to do.
The NHS is struggling yes, but that is just part of the job. There is always a need for more nurses, so take the opportunity and become a nurse so that you can help people, make a difference and support the NHS.
You do 2300 hours of placement, in hospital and community, and 2300 of theory. Yes these hours are unpaid, but you do get a £5,000 a year bursary which you are not required to pay back, this is because of doing an NHS Course. It is hard but it is very much worth it.
Unfortunately, people do get mistreated in every job, not just the NHS. It is a rare case of people being mistreated, most staff are lovely and most patients are very kind and understanding.
It is normal to have fears but I would recommend having a good think about it, decide if you definitely want to do this. IT is hard but it is amazing and rewarding, I would recommend it, especially if you feel passionate about it. Be brave, take the leap, it'll be worth it.
Best of luck!
Jess - Digital Student ambassador and Student Nurse at ARU

I want to be a nurse for the obvious reason of wanting to help people.However, I am so scared because of the state of the NHS in the UK, 2500 unpaid hours at uni, and hearing abt nurses being mistreated
I am doing my a levels currently and am wondering if this is irrational? Or other career ideas as I really do feel passionate about it but I don't want to be exploited
thank you