Health and social care students from Salford City College recently appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to debate whether nurses should train for free.

The four students, all on studying at level three, Olivia, Godwin, Hussain and Eunice, visited the BBC’s Quay House at MediaCityUK for the broadcast, and were joined by Janet Davies, the chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing.

BBC presenters Sam Walker and Jason Mohammad asked the students why they wanted to pursue a nursing career, and whether the abolishment of bursaries would affect their decision.

While the students were somewhat unsure how the changes would affect them, fellow guest Steve West from Universities UK assured them there was still support
funding available for nursing degrees,
telling them “don’t lose that passion and let your dreams fly away because you think you can’t afford it.”

The debate followed reports appearing across the national press that there had been a 23 per cent drop in applications to university nursing courses.

Olivia said: “It was amazing to have the opportunity to go on national radio and have our say about things that affect us. 

“I was really nervous about the show being live but afterwards I felt really confident and it’s good to do things that push you outside your comfort zone.”

 

Main photo: (L-R) Hussain, Olivia, Eunice, Godwin

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