Local NHS chief nurse highlights healthcare career options as students learn A Level results
The NHS’s Chief Nurse in south east London, Angela Helleur, has encouraged local students receiving their A Level, T Level or BTEC results today to explore a career in healthcare, including nursing.
Clearing places are available for nursing and midwifery university courses from today.
Nearly 40,000 people have already applied to study nursing or midwifery in England this year.
Ms Helleur said: “It’s fantastic to see so many young people making the decision to pursue a career in the NHS. Nursing is one of the most rewarding and diverse careers, with over 50 different jobs and specialties that students can look into while studying and after graduating. Midwifery also offers hands-on training with the opportunity to make a real difference to patients’ lives through a range of different placements while learning.
Lynn Demeda, the South East London Integrated Care System’s Workforce Programme Director, emphasised that many NHS careers do not require a degree.
She said: “Young people have a wealth of talent and energy which can transform our health and social care services. Working as part of a friendly team, these are incredibly rewarding and varied careers. If university isn’t for you, there are some excellent opportunities to earn while you learn as a Healthcare Support Worker or a Maternity Support Worker. In south east London we have world-class training and development and apprenticeships on offer to help you take your career anywhere you want.”
People who do choose to study nursing or midwifery at university might be eligible for a grant of up to £5,000 a year from the NHS Learning Support Fund, as well as specialist payments for studying mental health or learning disability nursing.
Some 94% of nursing graduates secure a job within six months of leaving university.