The NHS in the North West is encouraging school leavers uncertain about their future career paths to consider nursing or midwifery. Clearing places are now available for these professions and the NHS is keen to remind students of the rewarding prospects in healthcare. So far this year, 33,560 people in England have applied for a nursing degree, and 7,290 have applied to become a midwife.
Andrea Boland, deputy director of nursing in NHS England North West’s workforce, training and education directorate, said: "A nursing or midwifery degree gives you career prospects. "You can teach, lead or specialise in your passion. "In nursing alone there is a diverse range of 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." Students who choose to attend university to study nursing or midwifery could also be eligible for the NHS Learning Support Fund, which guarantees a grant of £5,000 a year, plus additional payments for studying mental health or learning disability nursing. Prospective students can apply for these courses until October 21.
Entry requirements for nursing and midwifery degree courses will vary, but students are likely to need at least two A Levels or equivalent. Lauren Caulfield, a midwifery student at the University of Manchester, said: "I'.