Pregnancy and nursing degree

I have just started my 3rd year of nursing and found out I am pregnant, baby would be due near end of May however I will have management placement March-June, how could I work this so I can still finish my degree when I’m supposed to, would the uni let me start the placement earlier ?

And how does this all work

Any help appriecated

Thanks

Reply 1

Tracey_W

Original post

by Nursing27x

I have just started my 3rd year of nursing and found out I am pregnant, baby would be due near end of May however I will have management placement March-June, how could I work this so I can still finish my degree when I’m supposed to, would the uni let me start the placement earlier ?
And how does this all work
Any help appriecated
Thanks

Hi
Big congratulations to you on your baby news 😘 😘

Unfortunately your placements are already allocated for schedules during your current academic year at university as they prearranged these in advance so that places knows how many people are they getting on each one. Therefore you won't be able to get anything earlier but could suggest you discuss it with your course leaders and placement officers and see what they have to say about it but do it ASAP so you can get a answer back just as quick - possible that they might swap you over for someone else but the big issue with that is you'll be on placement for about xxxx weeks installment of xxxx weeks.

Now you are due end of May 2026 , as a thumb of rule you might be forced to take maternity leave around 11 weeks prior to the birth of your baby which would mean you'll be on maternity leave from about Beginning of March 2026 ( this is normal guidance for all pregnancy staff okay as every workplace does that as well)... But don't let them force you to take it okay because by law you are entitled to continue on working on placement or at university study's as long as everything is well with both yourself and the baby, now only issue with working on after the usual maternity leave is that if you unfortunately call off sick because of your pregnancy then you'll inform be on maternity leave automatically from that day okay.

So looking at what you have said about management placement between March and June then unfortunately it's falling in on your maternity leave and birth of the baby. So be awake of things happening with your present and if they allow you to continue on remember that if you call in sick because of your pregnancy then you'll be told don't come back until after the birth..... They will have to dismantle with you about this anyway - when you going on maternity leave, when and you returning back to continue your coursework and you have to stay in touch throughout your absentee period, normally after the birth you'll have to take a minimum of 12 weeks maternity leave which meter you could lose up to 23 weeks of your coursework year and that's too much to make up prior to qualifying.

I have had a student in similar positions as you over the last few years and unfortunately they continue on but had no choice to go on maternity leave due to complications etc regarding the pregnancy. They had to complete things later on.

NHS registered midwife ( band 7 senior charge nurse midwife )

Reply 2

beaten-papaya

I think the only thing you can do here is talk to your university. No one here is going to be able to tell you exactly what they're going to say or the kinds of options they might have available. They might be able to do the hours earlier if they have enough planning time or it might be a case of making up the hours once you're back from maternity leave.

Reply 3

Nursing27x

Thankyou for this, what do you recommend my best option would be then? Would I receive bursary while I’m off? I hoped to get it all done and qualify but from what your saying this doesn’t look likely does it xx

Reply 4

Tracey_W

Original post

by Nursing27x

Hi

Apologies for late reply 😲

Please read below regarding maternity leave etc etc from the royal college of nursing ok. Further information is on there website, then discuss it with your university as they will guide you on what you should do regarding your NHS learning grant etc okay. Your bursary will be paid for around 45 weeks whilst off on maternity leave depending obviously the length of leave you take but do take the minimum at least leave to minimise anything.

Unfortunately I can't see you completing your degree this academic year as I said previously you'll be missing a big chunk of it but talk to your university ok and you can let me know what they said thanks 🙏 🙏.
I would recommend you discuss everything with your university leaders and placement officer, gauge what they say to you about it but please remember what I said in previous message regarding your ability to continue on after ( the recommended 11 weeks prior to birth of the baby) as if you are capable of continuing on then do so with safety in mind for you and your unborn child, occupational health providers will be there as well for you so they will be involved at some point in making sure it is safe for you to work ect,

You'll be able to claim maternity leave payments
you are required to take a leave of absence from your course due to pregnancy, your bursary payments continue for up to 45 weeks. (Updated 22 Apr 2025)
https://www.rcn.org.uk
Having a family toolkit | Advice guides - Royal College of Nursing

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 5

katy2222222

Original post

by Nursing27x

I have just started my 3rd year of nursing and found out I am pregnant, baby would be due near end of May however I will have management placement March-June, how could I work this so I can still finish my degree when I’m supposed to, would the uni let me start the placement earlier ?
And how does this all work
Any help appriecated
Thanks

Hey there I can help you

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